Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed?
 

I am interested in buying a 1995 vette with a ZF-6 speed and 93,000 miles. The car appears to be in excellent condition but I can hear the transmission when I am driving with the radio off and the windows shut, is this normal? It appears to shift fine and the noise is dependant on speed and not RPM or load. The noise is the same in all gears and is not excessive but it surprised me that I could hear it at all. One more thing, I can hear each sycro on each shift and that noise is more pronounced in lower gears. I assumed this noise was normal but after I started to think about it I began to have second thoughts and would like you some input from other ZF vette owners.

Thanks

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (bjankuski)
 

I have a little whine in 1st, but that's all. It's normal. Gonna cost a lot for a zf. Many have never had oil chg. Does it slip into gear ok, each gear (inc rev)?


[Modified by froggy47, 6:25 PM 8/13/2003]

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (bjankuski)
 

Mine whines, I'll see if I can find a video.

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (bjankuski)
 

If you listen carefully, you can hear it whine.

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/mrmojo2//rt211up2.wmv

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (Mr Mojo)
 

damn Mojo, I can't get over how good your car sounds!!!

I've got the same whine with my 6Spd too..... Nothing I've ever worried too much about, cause it shifts like a dream...

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (Jbaker)
 

Thanks, I'm actually going to take that Corsa off the 6 speed car and put it on the automatic and most likely the B&B will find it's way on my 6 speed. I got a great deal, just need to get the $$$.

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (Mr Mojo)
 

Not to hijack this thread(I'll drop it after this), but, if you'd like to make it easy on yourself and just send me the Corsa, I'd gladly take it... But, it's amazing how much better sound you can get out of a system leaving the cats on!!!!! That sounds great inside the car....

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (bjankuski)
 

ZF whine is a sign of wear and tear on the synchos. since all of ours whine, it is now considered "normal". however they did not whine when new.

I decided mine will whine until it blows up.... which I doubt. so we'll have to listen to it whine for many years to come.

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (bjankuski)
 

I have a 1995 with 93,000 miles as well. When I bought the car, it had about 35,000 miles and the transmission whined in first and second. Now, 60,000 miles later, it still whines about the same in those two gears, but now I do hear a whine in third. Im only going to start getting worried when it whines in all 6 gears :D

GB

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (larryfs)
 

:nono:

Give ZF a call, they will disagree. The ZF S6-40 has a normal whine in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear due to the "almost" straight cut on these gears to increase the torque rating. I can't remember the technical term they used. The older models (pre '94 I think) whine even louder. My '95 whines in all three gears but 3rd is a little harder to hear. 4th - 6th are quiet.

To answer the original posters question....If the transmission shifts fine then it's most likely Ok. These transmissions are suppose to be almost indestructible for everyday driving. Ask if the oil was ever changed. ZF recommends changing every 30,000 miles, but GM says it never needs to be changed??

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (Atok)
 

I would have to agree that the noise is normal and was there when new. I used to work for GM at a dealer and remember the noise on brand new units. I would also agree that the sound would be consistant with a straight cut gear.

:cheers:

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (BIGBOOST)
 

The whone IS indeed normal. BUT, you might want to take precautions and have the fluid changed, the slave thingee too... i cant remember all the part names. Im sure it'll help anyways. After all its not easy telling how much of a whine is good or bad since they all whine.

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (DieL)
 

The lubrication issue is critical. Change it every 30K. Mine was first changed at 50K...result, the struggle necessary to get it into reverse every morning went away! Oh, so did about half of the gear whine.
Cire96 :smash:

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (bjankuski)
 

Okay what oil keeps the whine down. I had a shop do mine while it was beeing seviced. They use Valvoline synthetic, he said it was as good as the BMW stuff, but now the whine seems a bit worse?

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (Glasman66)
 

Ack, i would take that stuff out. the BWM stuff or Mobile One ONLY should be used.

My 95 has a NORMAL whine in 1st-3rd gears. Its only because of the strait cut gears, nothing else. I love it, it sounds more like a race car.

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (Mervz)
 

My 95 has about 75K and it whines in 1st mostly. They all seem to do it to some degree so I guess its "normal". Is changing the ZF oil a do it yourself, or best left to dealer?

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (bjankuski)
 

My car whines when it is idling in neutral with the clutch out. It has done that since 8,400 miles. Havn't had any problems and shifts smooth so I havn't really worried about it. My buddy has a '96 Collectors LT4 and his don't make the same noise. I'm thinkin its some kinda bearing or whatever. I just hope it's not hurting anything major. It is kinda annoying though hearing it when it idles. It is pretty loud. :confused:

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (GrandSportVet)
 

They all do it. This is normal gear noise you are hearing.

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (Glasman66)
 

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Yikes! If I were you I would drain the Valvoline out and get one of the recommended oils in it. Either GM factory fill or the BMW oil. I don't believe the Valvoline stuff is rated for gear usage.

Re: Is ZF transmission whine normal in a 1995 6 speed? (Atok)
 

I had gear whine until I had it rebuilt by http://www.zfdoc.com No more whine at all! Some very good reading on this site, Bill is a wizard with the ZF.

BTW I would also be looking for any "lash" or "slop" in the transmission. It would be apparent cruising at low speeds in gear. That can get expensive to fix.