Shift Problems

**miller456** · 02-20-2007, 12:46 PM

I just bought a 98z28 6spd ive driven it 5 times. The first problem occured when it was cold i lost 2nd and 6th gear so i took i to a shop and it sat inside for awhile and i picked it up and the gears were back, then now its warmer out i all the sudden i sometimes can and cant get it into 4th, and then later today i put it in 3rd and got on it reall hard then all the sudden i lost all bottom gears 2,4,and 6th and also there was almost no resisitance in the clutch. Well driving home on the highway after the tranny cooled down all the gears came back and so did the resistance in the clutch. It does have a short throw shift kit, is this a tranny or shift kit problem and is there ne one from omaha, ne that can take a look at the car?

**30thbird** · 02-21-2007, 07:18 AM

check the shifter stops for adjustment. This type of incident is one reason the stops should be left off. You may have other issues with the shifter as well ... like the handle or shifter itself being loose.

**9t8z28** · 02-27-2007, 03:27 PM

Where does the clutch release? Does it ever grind going into gear? Its definnitly not the stops on the shifter or it would't allow you to shift at all!
How many miles are on the car? What did the shop do to it?

**30thbird** · 02-28-2007, 04:21 AM

9T read it again. He "cant get it in all bottom gears 2,4,6" That would be most likely the shifter and "definitly not the stops" is an incorrect guess as the stops or the shifter plate movement are the only thing that can yeild this.
Miller Have you checked the shifter and its attachment yet? Also the lack of feel to your clutch could be a hydraulic health problem= check the reservoir for level and clean fluid.

**9t8z28** · 02-28-2007, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by 30thbird

9T read it again. He "cant get it in all bottom gears 2,4,6" That would be most likely the shifter and "definitly not the stops" is an incorrect guess as the stops or the shifter plate movement are the only thing that can yeild this.
Miller Have you checked the shifter and its attachment yet? Also the lack of feel to your clutch could be a hydraulic health problem= check the reservoir for level and clean fluid.

Read his statement again. "He can get it in gear sometimes."
The screws for the stops don't walk in and out like that.
So its "definnitly not" the stops. unless of course, their magic positive stops!

**Wesman** · 02-28-2007, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by miller456

I just bought a 98z28 6spd ive driven it 5 times. The first problem occured when it was cold i lost 2nd and 6th gear so i took i to a shop and it sat inside for awhile and i picked it up and the gears were back, then now its warmer out i all the sudden i sometimes can and cant get it into 4th, and then later today i put it in 3rd and got on it reall hard then all the sudden i lost all bottom gears 2,4,and 6th and also there was almost no resisitance in the clutch. Well driving home on the highway after the tranny cooled down all the gears came back and so did the resistance in the clutch. It does have a short throw shift kit, is this a tranny or shift kit problem and is there ne one from omaha, ne that can take a look at the car?

Please explain what happens when you "lose" the gears. Does the shifter just not want to go in, so its like hitting an invisible wall?? Or does it grind like hell, preventing you from engaging the gear at all? Or, do you put it in gear smoothly, but its like having it in neutral??

You mention that the resistance on the clutch changes. That right there indicates that something is not right, because the pedal pressure and engagement point should be steady and predictable regardless of gear selection, speed, ect. First thing I would do is have the hydraulic system and the clutch itself checked out. If the hydraulics aren't desengaging the clutch all the way (Master cylinder, slave cylinder, fluid could be low) its going to be very difficult to change gears, and it may lock you out different gears.

Get the clutch system checked out first, and then move onto the transmission itself if the clutch system checks out okay.

Good luck.

**miller456** · 02-28-2007, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Wesman

I'm curious what he was to say about what we (you and myself) asked him about the symptoms. Depending on what it's doing (grinding or just not letting him in) and whether or not he's checked the clutch fluid makes a big difference.

Just ignore 30thbird unless of course he attacks you or tries to call you out (like he's done before to you, myself, and others). Otherwise this guy's thread will get ruined by him

Ok guys heres the deal, i called a t-56 tranny specialist and they told me sounds like the clutch, yes its like hitting neutral theres just nothing there in
2nd and 4th but 6th bein on a diff fork is completely blocked off and i cannot put it in the gear. I have a friend back home doin labor for free, i ordered a spec stage 3 clutch kit for it, new master and slave and he has performed the drill mod also but all the parts have not come in yet. The guy said he found a small leak in the slave and im flushing out the system and puttin mobil 1 synthetic in would u like to keep u posted? and keep up on the advice i really appreciate all i can get thanks guys

**Wesman** · 02-28-2007, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by miller456

Ok guys heres the deal, i called a t-56 tranny specialist and they told me sounds like the clutch, yes its like hitting neutral theres just nothing there in
2nd and 4th but 6th bein on a diff fork is completely blocked off and i cannot put it in the gear. I have a friend back home doin labor for free, i ordered a spec stage 3 clutch kit for it, new master and slave and he has performed the drill mod also but all the parts have not come in yet. The guy said he found a small leak in the slave and im flushing out the system and puttin mobil 1 synthetic in would u like to keep u posted? and keep up on the advice i really appreciate all i can get thanks guys

So it sounds like you figured out whats goin on. If the clutch slave has a leak in it, that would definitely cause the problems you're referring to in terms of getting the trans into gear, since the clutch wouldn't be fuly disenaging.

Something is definitely wrong with the transmission though if you can physically move the shifter into gear, so its in that gear's normal position, and it feels like its in neutral. Sounds like having the clutch not disengage while trying to force it into gear may have broke something internally in the transmission. Are 1st, 3rd, and 5th gears operable?? If your friend is experienced with tranmission internals I'd have him pull it apart and see if everything is okay inside the tranmission, and if its bad have someone rebuild it for you. You don't want to install the Spec 3, reassemble everything, and then realize that the trans is still broken

As for the Mobil 1 ATF in the T56, thats whtat I'm running in my transmission currently. Its one of the best lubricants you can run in the T56, being that it calls for ATF. I also have Lucas Trans Fix in mine as well, since my trans is in need of a rebuild pretty soon. The Lucas helps thicken up the fluid (ATF is pretty thin) as well as quiet down the bearings and gear whine. If you get a complete rebuild, a lot of pros reccommend using GM Synchromesh in the trans, in place of ATF. They say it works better than ATF in rebuilt units, but if you're still on the stock internals, stick to ATF since thats the manufacturers reccommendation.

Definitely keep us updated on everything.

**miller456** · 02-28-2007, 06:08 PM

yes 1st, 3rd, and 5th are fine and work properly, i also found the previous owner had put that jet harness in to eliminate that skip shift solenoid and when my buddy plugged the solenoid back in normally it has never missed a gear since. I called the kid and he said he never disconnected the battery when he installed it would this affect ne thing? Also if something was broke in the tranny i wouldnt lose diff gears and then just have em come back every time my first incident i lost 2nd and 6th but had 4th, then i lost 4th but had
2nd and 6th WTF??? different forks even. The guy cannot do the tranny he is a college student and they have already finished that portion of schooling, he told me the clutch that was in it was a centerforce and had some pretty good wear, i also know that on a hill when some clutch slippage is possible it would grind and have that tire burning smell, im seriously hopin this fixes my problems but i will let everyone know what comes out of the deal

**miller456** · 03-17-2007, 04:09 PM

well i got the spec 3 installed and have broken it in and absolutely no problems with gears anymore shifts perfect the only other problem i have is when releasing the clutch in 1st it sometimes shakes terribly im thinkin its mostly driver error cuz i can release it one time and its perfect and another time well shakes u out of the seat