Thanks a lot Froggy. My C6's shifter was so stiff, especially 1st and 2nd, that I used to dread stoplights. Sometimes I'd just start off in 3rd. I fixed it today thanks to your video. The pin was rusted and I had to clean it up a bit. I realized that the exercise is futile if the pin is not pushed ALL THE WAY IN. Had to do quite a bit of cajoling and gentle striking on account of the rust. Well worth the effort. Now I can just slot it into gear instead of wrestling it.
I'm having a similar issue in 1st and 2nd sometimes with my 03 coupe. I'll have to try this adjustment. Also planning on anti venom mod and new master cylinder in the Spring.
My shift control neutral lock pin was completely out and my shifts were super sloppy. Thank you so much for this video, it really helped me. It's such a difference that I keep missing 3rd and go into 5th which I'm sure I'll get used to over time, I just gotta make much less dramatic movements 😄
Absolutely awesome description. my shifter has never been adjusted on my c5 vette. Now it will be. The little neutral pin was a little rusty on mine. I put a couple drops of 3 in oil on it and gently tapped it down. Also, 2 rubber bushings under the passenger side torx screws were almost shot. I shimmed them up a little with a little rubber washer along with a stainless washer. It should work... lol.
This is such a relief, I just bought a 2000 6-spd a few weeks ago and the shifting is a little hard to get in each gear, I had a gut feeling it was the synchros even though it doesn't grind or pop out of gear. I will definitely give this a go!
The video was very helpful. I was having an issue where going from reverse to first occasionally resulted in the linkage getting out of alignment, and the car would want to go into third instead. A hard left right jiggle would generally fix it. When I got into it, I discovered the back torque tube bolt was very loose, and the bolt for the linkage itself was a bit loose, which I think allowed things to occasionally come out of aliment. This took about twice as long as it should because I forgot the reverse lockout needs to be energized to allow you to go into reverse. I thought I had borked up that alignment while fixing the rest and kept trying to tweak it. Shifting definitely feels a lot less 'gummy' now.
Thanks Froggy. I'll drive it this week and see if there is a special technique involved. Then if that doesn't work I'll do the fluid and the alignment technique. I'll let you know how I make out. Also, I googled this issued on the corvette online forums and I found a hand full of other people that have this issue. Cheers.
Used this info to adjust my 01 Z06. Had to wiggle the shiftier to get the pin to go in but after that all went great. Hope my first drive will show that the small problem I had when shifting into 3 or 4 will be solved.
I finally got around to changing my fluds this weekend and performed a shifter alignment. The shifting has improved in all gears, but I still have the issue downshifting from 6th into 5th when the transmission. When the tranny is cold the 6th to 5th shift is impossible. Once it's warmed up, I can downshift into 5th, if I first blip the throttle while 6th is still engaged. It's counter-intuitive but it works. I think my 5th gear synchronizer needs to be replaced. Thanks again for your video
I've had mine over 4 years now & the tranny shifts great, but I occasionally have a little issue with the 4-5 shift. 5-4 is easy because the spring assist is pushing the shifter in the direction you want, but 4-5 you are pushing against it. :)
Just get some PB Blaster & vice grips and gently start to work it loose. Pull up & then clean it up good with light sandpaper. After the align I like to secure it in the up position with a tie wrap. IIRC there are some shallow splines on the pin, so try not to twist too much or the splines will "drill out" the hole. :)
You make videos for a lot of things I've run into and had to do to my c5 z06! Very helpful and very well explained videos! Just had to say thanks!! :-)
Thanks for posting the Video. I have a C6 that feels a bit notchy, especially when cold. I'm wondering if the technique is the same for that model, and if the goal is just to snug up all of the torx bolts to 22fp, or if you need to make sure the shifter is aligned by some criteria as you do that so it's centered or something. thanks.
Hey Froggy love your videos. Just to be crystal clear - 1st step is to drop Pin BEFORE loosening the 3 bolts. 2. Then, after dropping the pin, loosen the three bolts. 3. Then carefully re-tighten with torque wrench?
Thank You! I should have read this comment before watching the video! That was a painful exercise in patience! He loosened the bolts first, then told us to drop the pin first but didn't show how he dropped it! He also didn't explain what the adjustment was or was there even an adjustment? I don't know? So I have to assume there is no actual adjustment. You just drop the neutral pin, loosen three bolts, tighten up the same 3 bolts to 22ft/lb and pop the pin back up, right? No actual adjusting of anything? It just happens automatically by the act of loosening and retightening?
@@russlyons62 I had same issue with this logic. If pin drops in with everything tight, then it is obviously already aligned. I could not possibly push my pin in place no matter what so had to loosen everything including taking out the shifter itself in order to align the pin. Now it drops into place with everything tightened.
Hi Froggy and Omkar . I tried to adjust my shifter today., because, like Omhar I hated stop lights, however, it looks like your video was for a C5, my c6 looks different. I only got as far as the two 10mm nuts in the back.
Thank you for posting this video. I just bought a C5 which has issues downshifting into 5th from 6th gear. I can upshift into 5th with no problem. If I downshift from 6th to 4th, and then go back up to 5th, this works fine. I was planning on changing the oil in the transaxle first, and then attempting your realignment technique in the video. Do you have any ideas what could be causing my issue? Thanks Froggy.
Could be, usually it's lower gears where the syncro gets damaged. If shifting improves when the tran fluid warms up I suggest a better fluid redline d4atf example & my fav.
I have a 99. Shifting into 1st and 2nd is iffy. I tried the shifter adjustment and found the shift control neutral lock pin rusted fast. I didn't want to force it down. Can I still do the adjustment? Thanks.
Once you shift & then release the clutch it should feel locked into place. I do mine yearly, but I track the car, if you drive it easy maybe every 25k miles. There is not a service interval specified by the factory. But you should do it anyway.
I just think it's crazy for his camera in 2012 to apparently have "image stabilization" since the video pans were so smooth, yet no flash so he needs to hold a flashlight haha
Hi Froggy my reverse gear start getting hard to get in, i have to give a big tap on the right side to be able to get the reverse gear is that because i need the shifter alignement or its something else ? Thanks in advance.
Froggy i got my self in a hole :( i was doing the adjustment on my shifter n I stripped the lower left torx screw now my shifter is loose and is hard to shift on 1st and lli lost my reverse .. Please help me wut should i do?
If you stripped the threads out of the hole it threads into, you need to tap it to one size bigger and use that bigger size bolt (it does not have to be a torx). Should not be too hard to do this. :)
+froggy thanks i will try that , my guy also suggested to get a bolt of the same size but longer and bring it up from the bottom n screw it w a locking nut , do u think thats a good idea too? .. Now im really thinking of ur suggestion sounds good too
Hey man car was super easy to shift yesterday. Like a hot knife through butter. Today I went out for a drive and the shifter was super stiff. I had to almost kick the shifter to get it into reverse. Do you think it just needs adjustment?
Maybe, getting into reverse can be a different issue though. Try this next time you want reverse. Put it in 3rd gear & let the clutch out just enough so the car barely starts to move forward. Immediately push the clutch down & go to reverse, try 2x maybe. see if that helps reverse.
Well depends on the price, that would NOT be a cheap repair if it's internal to the transmission, think over a thousand or quite a bit more. If it's the SHIFTER then not bad. You would need to do the shifter alignment to find out. I guess I'd keep looking.
For reverse try this. Start the car, put shifter in 3rd gear and release the clutch JUST SLIGHTLY so the car barely nudges forward. IMMEDIATELY put in reverse. Do it twice if needed. Let me know if it helps. :)
🐸- E .... My 2001 C-5 automatic. .. started not shifting into 3rd gear ? it drives just fine in manual positions in 1st & 2nd... But wouldn't shift into 3rd... I just had the Tranny rebuilt and Main rear seal replaced.. New Tork converter too.. Was driving fine... About half way home ... ummm 20 miles. .. The speedometer needle went crazy .... while cruising at 70... When I stopped to fule, it wouldn't shift into 3rd 😱😱😱... WTF is going on ? It's like it goes into neutral out of 2nd ... enginve revs and speedo needle stays buried at zero miles per hr ! ... Then it catches and jumps in gear randomly and drives and shifts fine... Then a repeat ! ... HELP ME.. WHAT DID THEY MISS ? I told them just what it was doing ! ... ANYONE ? If no reply from froggy... Thanks... I'm 3500 less in my pocket & same issue !
Bring it back for a do over, if they do not help you out, get it fixed by another shop who knows what they are doing & proceed to small claims court to recover the first expense. Document everything.
froggy WOW... Thanks for replying 🐸- E ... I was looking into this more .. Soubds like, this could possibly be my solenoid is the issue they say it's in the lower part of the transmission and easier to get to I've driven it four times and it drives fine until the transmission fluid temperature reaches 160 + like clockwork the speedo needle starts going crazy and it slips out of third I'm calling the shop again today I haven't spoken to them yet what are you thinking could it be the solenoid issue because they did a full rebuild
froggy ... Ok... spoke to the Tranny shop.. Which by the way, are rated VERY highly. .. He said bring it bck in when I get bck in twn.. Also, he said.. After I described what was happening.. It sounds like the VSS vehicle speed sensor ?
Lots of good information, I especially liked the images from the repair manual. Thank you.
Thanks a lot Froggy.
My C6's shifter was so stiff, especially 1st and 2nd, that I used to dread stoplights. Sometimes I'd just start off in 3rd. I fixed it today thanks to your video. The pin was rusted and I had to clean it up a bit. I realized that the exercise is futile if the pin is not pushed ALL THE WAY IN. Had to do quite a bit of cajoling and gentle striking on account of the rust. Well worth the effort. Now I can just slot it into gear instead of wrestling it.
I'm having a similar issue in 1st and 2nd sometimes with my 03 coupe. I'll have to try this adjustment. Also planning on anti venom mod and new master cylinder in the Spring.
My shift control neutral lock pin was completely out and my shifts were super sloppy. Thank you so much for this video, it really helped me. It's such a difference that I keep missing 3rd and go into 5th which I'm sure I'll get used to over time, I just gotta make much less dramatic movements 😄
Absolutely awesome description. my shifter has never been adjusted on my c5 vette. Now it will be. The little neutral pin was a little rusty on mine. I put a couple drops of 3 in oil on it and gently tapped it down. Also, 2 rubber bushings under the passenger side torx screws were almost shot. I shimmed them up a little with a little rubber washer along with a stainless washer. It should work... lol.
This is such a relief, I just bought a 2000 6-spd a few weeks ago and the shifting is a little hard to get in each gear, I had a gut feeling it was the synchros even though it doesn't grind or pop out of gear. I will definitely give this a go!
The other thing would be to change the tranny fluid, I like redline d4atf.
:)
I have a vid on that.
For Omkar:
I really feel good when one of my videos helps out. Thanks so much for watching!
:)
I decided to do it because 1st was a little stiff to get in. But I am unable to do it because 2001 coupe doesn’t have the pin at all. Any suggestions?
The video was very helpful. I was having an issue where going from reverse to first occasionally resulted in the linkage getting out of alignment, and the car would want to go into third instead. A hard left right jiggle would generally fix it. When I got into it, I discovered the back torque tube bolt was very loose, and the bolt for the linkage itself was a bit loose, which I think allowed things to occasionally come out of aliment.
This took about twice as long as it should because I forgot the reverse lockout needs to be energized to allow you to go into reverse. I thought I had borked up that alignment while fixing the rest and kept trying to tweak it. Shifting definitely feels a lot less 'gummy' now.
Thanks Froggy. I'll drive it this week and see if there is a special technique involved. Then if that doesn't work I'll do the fluid and the alignment technique. I'll let you know how I make out. Also, I googled this issued on the corvette online forums and I found a hand full of other people that have this issue.
Cheers.
Used this info to adjust my 01 Z06. Had to wiggle the shiftier to get the pin to go in but after that all went great. Hope my first drive will show that the small problem I had when shifting into 3 or 4 will be solved.
I finally got around to changing my fluds this weekend and performed a shifter alignment. The shifting has improved in all gears, but I still have the issue downshifting from 6th into 5th when the transmission. When the tranny is cold the 6th to 5th shift is impossible. Once it's warmed up, I can downshift into 5th, if I first blip the throttle while 6th is still engaged. It's counter-intuitive but it works. I think my 5th gear synchronizer needs to be replaced. Thanks again for your video
Thanks Frog dude, I have kinda been wondering why it seems a lil hard to get all the way in first gear. I learned something new today! A BIG Thanks!
This may help, also d4atf in the tranny & very clean clutch fluid, I have videos on those.
Thanks for watching.
Had problem with alignment pin so I pride it out and lined it up with a pin punch. Work and now shifts perfectly Thanks for the video.
+Harry Bishop Glad to help & happy it improved shifting.
:)
Thanks a lot Froggy! I've used several of your videos now working on my C5Z!
Glad to help.
:)
I've had mine over 4 years now & the tranny shifts great, but I occasionally have a little issue with the 4-5 shift. 5-4 is easy because the spring assist is pushing the shifter in the direction you want, but 4-5 you are pushing against it.
:)
Just get some PB Blaster & vice grips and gently start to work it loose. Pull up & then clean it up good with light sandpaper. After the align I like to secure it in the up position with a tie wrap.
IIRC there are some shallow splines on the pin, so try not to twist too much or the splines will "drill out" the hole.
:)
You make videos for a lot of things I've run into and had to do to my c5 z06! Very helpful and very well explained videos! Just had to say thanks!! :-)
Thanks for watching!
:)
Great video Froggy! You helped me alot. I also took your advise on your other video on how to lube the shifter.
Good work.
:)
Thanks for posting the Video. I have a C6 that feels a bit notchy, especially when cold. I'm wondering if the technique is the same for that model, and if the goal is just to snug up all of the torx bolts to 22fp, or if you need to make sure the shifter is aligned by some criteria as you do that so it's centered or something. thanks.
Hey Froggy love your videos. Just to be crystal clear - 1st step is to drop Pin BEFORE loosening the 3 bolts. 2. Then, after dropping the pin, loosen the three bolts. 3. Then carefully re-tighten with torque wrench?
Yes, drop pin first.
:)
Thank You! I should have read this comment before watching the video! That was a painful exercise in patience! He loosened the bolts first, then told us to drop the pin first but didn't show how he dropped it! He also didn't explain what the adjustment was or was there even an adjustment? I don't know? So I have to assume there is no actual adjustment. You just drop the neutral pin, loosen three bolts, tighten up the same 3 bolts to 22ft/lb and pop the pin back up, right? No actual adjusting of anything? It just happens automatically by the act of loosening and retightening?
@@russlyons62 I had same issue with this logic. If pin drops in with everything tight, then it is obviously already aligned. I could not possibly push my pin in place no matter what so had to loosen everything including taking out the shifter itself in order to align the pin. Now it drops into place with everything tightened.
Hi Froggy and Omkar . I tried to adjust my shifter today., because, like Omhar I hated stop lights, however, it looks like your video was for a C5, my c6 looks different. I only got as far as the two 10mm nuts in the back.
I "think" it's very similar to c5, but I have not done it on c6. Sorry can't be more specific. Froggy
Thank you for posting this video. I just bought a C5 which has issues downshifting into 5th from 6th gear. I can upshift into 5th with no problem. If I downshift from 6th to 4th, and then go back up to 5th, this works fine. I was planning on changing the oil in the transaxle first, and then attempting your realignment technique in the video. Do you have any ideas what could be causing my issue?
Thanks Froggy.
Could be, usually it's lower gears where the syncro gets damaged. If shifting improves when the tran fluid warms up I suggest a better fluid redline d4atf example & my fav.
I have a 99. Shifting into 1st and 2nd is iffy. I tried the shifter adjustment and found the shift control neutral lock pin rusted fast. I didn't want to force it down. Can I still do the adjustment? Thanks.
Never had a problem with the stock one, some of the aftermarket shifters are tempermental. If I changed it I'd put the c6 shifter in.
:)
No it's not just torquing the bolts to spec, you loosen it up then the pin readjusts it then you tighten.
Once you shift & then release the clutch it should feel locked into place.
I do mine yearly, but I track the car, if you drive it easy maybe every 25k miles. There is not a service interval specified by the factory. But you should do it anyway.
Thank you Froggy
What about if you’re missing the neutral lock pin?
Try to make one.
@froggy
If the shifter isn’t aligned, could that cause some rattling?
For sure. On c4/5 anyway, not sure on c6 how it's constructed.
Centering pin will not go down all the way
I am having issues with my transmission popping out of 2nd gear - could this be a possible fix? Thank you.
Can this fix a C6 vette popping out of first? I want to try this before messing with transmission
It's possible, not sure, try it.
I wi try this soon. I'm having to force gears into place from time to time. Sometimes grinding.
Try new fluid & adjustment, if still forcing then you have internal wear/damage.
:)
I just think it's crazy for his camera in 2012 to apparently have "image stabilization" since the video pans were so smooth, yet no flash so he needs to hold a flashlight haha
Brighter than camera built in light, haha.
:)
My shifter is so stiff ? So I have to adjust it ??
Thank you sir. Very much appreciated
Welcome. :)
Excellent video, Thankyou!!
Welcome!
Hi Froggy my reverse gear start getting hard to get in, i have to give a big tap on the right side to be able to get the reverse gear is that because i need the shifter alignement or its something else ? Thanks in advance.
Start with a correct alignment & go from there.
Yup it helped and you sound like ray remono from everybody loves Raymond
:0
Will this help it go into reverse? That's the only gear I have a problem with
It helps all gears, but there may be more to it than just this adjustment, try it it's easy, what's to lose?
U ever figure out why it was hard to get into reverse? I just got a 04 z06 and its a pain to get into reverse only. I was going to try this first.
surprised you haven,t gone to an aftermarket shifter; this one looks stock
Nice video
You are welcome.
:)
my 4th gear gets jammed sometimes.... it doesn't want to come out so easily. do you think this can fix it?
yeah most likely a bent shift fork... did you change yours to steel?
No just adjusted it.
:)
do automatics need adjustments. My c5 gears don't match up and I cant shift to low1?
Yes there are adjustments, I have never done them, sorry.
Thanks for watching!
Do you have a video on replacing a shift cable on a 2004 corvette ??
Automatic or stick?
Automatic .
Sorry, can't help on that one, thanks for viewing.
:)
Thanks for posting the video
Froggy i got my self in a hole :( i was doing the adjustment on my shifter n I stripped the lower left torx screw now my shifter is loose and is hard to shift on 1st and lli lost my reverse .. Please help me wut should i do?
If you stripped the threads out of the hole it threads into, you need to tap it to one size bigger and use that bigger size bolt (it does not have to be a torx). Should not be too hard to do this.
:)
+froggy thanks i will try that , my guy also suggested to get a bolt of the same size but longer and bring it up from the bottom n screw it w a locking nut , do u think thats a good idea too? .. Now im really thinking of ur suggestion sounds good too
That would also work.
:)
Hey man car was super easy to shift yesterday. Like a hot knife through butter. Today I went out for a drive and the shifter was super stiff. I had to almost kick the shifter to get it into reverse.
Do you think it just needs adjustment?
Maybe, getting into reverse can be a different issue though. Try this next time you want reverse. Put it in 3rd gear & let the clutch out just enough so the car barely starts to move forward. Immediately push the clutch down & go to reverse, try 2x maybe. see if that helps reverse.
Appreciate you actually answering comments. Subbed you sir.
Thanks for posting, I do the videos for all the diy "folks" pay it fwd. So to speak.
There are a couple of other good diy automotive channels, but not much feedback on comments, so I try to be better at that.
:)
Hey man what's the best place in San Diego for Corvette repair?
Froggy, I want to buy a C5 from a guy in East County. It pops out of second gear sometimes. Is this a big deal you think?
Well depends on the price, that would NOT be a cheap repair if it's internal to the transmission, think over a thousand or quite a bit more. If it's the SHIFTER then not bad. You would need to do the shifter alignment to find out.
I guess I'd keep looking.
Thanks for your help Froggy! I'll keep looking!
MY C5 ,I HAVE TO PUSH THE SHIFTER HARD TO THE RIGHT TO GET IT INTO REVERSE, WILL THIS FIX THIS ISSUE/
It IS possible, but if the shifter parts are too worn, you would need a new shifter.
:)
I just started having the same issue with my C5 , reverse is difficult to get into, did this help? thanks
I just started having the same issue with my C5 , reverse is difficult to get into, did this help? thanks
For reverse try this. Start the car, put shifter in 3rd gear and release the clutch JUST SLIGHTLY so the car barely nudges forward. IMMEDIATELY put in reverse. Do it twice if needed.
Let me know if it helps.
:)
Can you show me how you would adjust handbrake on c5 corvette too?
👍
I'm SCARED "FROGGY" is not going to remember where the screws or bolts go back
It's prob. better that way he don''t have to replace as many bots and screw he took out :)
I was born with a knack for putting stuff back together correctly, not sure what you call that, but I have it.
🐸- E .... My 2001 C-5 automatic. .. started not shifting into 3rd gear ? it drives just fine in manual positions in 1st & 2nd... But wouldn't shift into 3rd... I just had the Tranny rebuilt and Main rear seal replaced.. New Tork converter too.. Was driving fine... About half way home ... ummm 20 miles. .. The speedometer needle went crazy .... while cruising at 70... When I stopped to fule, it wouldn't shift into 3rd 😱😱😱... WTF is going on ? It's like it goes into neutral out of 2nd ... enginve revs and speedo needle stays buried at zero miles per hr ! ... Then it catches and jumps in gear randomly and drives and shifts fine... Then a repeat ! ... HELP ME.. WHAT DID THEY MISS ? I told them just what it was doing ! ... ANYONE ? If no reply from froggy... Thanks... I'm 3500 less in my pocket & same issue !
Bring it back for a do over, if they do not help you out, get it fixed by another shop who knows what they are doing & proceed to small claims court to recover the first expense. Document everything.
froggy WOW... Thanks for replying 🐸- E ... I was looking into this more .. Soubds like, this could possibly be my solenoid is the issue they say it's in the lower part of the transmission and easier to get to I've driven it four times and it drives fine until the transmission fluid temperature reaches 160 + like clockwork the speedo needle starts going crazy and it slips out of third I'm calling the shop again today I haven't spoken to them yet what are you thinking could it be the solenoid issue because they did a full rebuild
froggy ... Ok... spoke to the Tranny shop.. Which by the way, are rated VERY highly. .. He said bring it bck in when I get bck in twn.. Also, he said.. After I described what was happening.. It sounds like the VSS vehicle speed sensor ?
That's a good start, but still document all conversations & keep all bills, diagnosis tec.