anyone who knows the ZF transmission>>

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

Coming back from Orlando I was cruising along and went to 6th. It felt funny so I put it back in neutral, then put it in 5th. I let out the clutch and the car nose dived. I put it in neutral and let out the clutch and it still nose dived. I pushed in the clutch and pulled over.

It appears that no matter what gear I select with the shifter, the car is in reverse. I had to pay over $100 for a tow home.

Anyone else ever experience this?? I know what your first thought is, but I am fairly certain that I did not mistakenly go into reverse rather than 6th.

I'll take the transmission out this week, but I was wondering if anyone else ever had this happen and what seemed to be jammed or whatever.

Thanks
-Dave C.

 

[Vettelt193]

Hey Dave...

I really wish Chevy never updated the ZF6 in the Corvette. The one in my '93 had no problems whatsoever (100k+ miles -- the one with the lockout for reverse). My '96 tranny stinks (only 40k miles). I have intermittant trouble with 2nd, and reverse is the same way... grinds about 10% of the time I try to get in in gear.

Anyway, it may be dreaded re-build time for you... It is almost common for the late C4 6 speeds to go out.

On a side note, I can say it is very easy to go into reverse when going from neutral to 6th. from 5th to 6th it is almost impossible.

Good luck with it, no matter what happens.

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

Well >>

If the car's going to be down for a few weeks waiting for transmission parts anyways..... I might as well do some upgrades.


-Dave C.

 

[Vettelt193]

what do you have in mind? still have the supercharger from the Z?

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

No.. I sold that to help pay for the Big Block.

I'm not sure yet, but it will probably involve the 355 sitting on the stand in my garage.

-Dave C.

 

[Vettelt193]

Oh man, there you go again It is scary to meet someone with your ideas, even more scary that you have the skills to make the ideas reality

 

[all4c4lt4]

Hey Dave...

I really wish Chevy never updated the ZF6 in the Corvette. The one in my '93 had no problems whatsoever (100k+ miles -- the one with the lockout for reverse). My '96 tranny stinks (only 40k miles). I have intermittant trouble with 2nd, and reverse is the same way... grinds about 10% of the time I try to get in in gear.

I had the same issues until I changed the tranny fluid (at 30k miles). If you haven't already done so try changing it with Castrol 10w-60 BMW M5 motor oil. And/or bleed the clutch fluid and check your clutch cylinders (slave and master). That should cure your troubles.

 

[Vettelt193]

I have tried a couple of times to get the drain and fill plugs loose on the tranny... no luck. I have to take it into a shop where the car can be lifted. The problem is they want at least $50 to do a 'transmission fluid change' even though it is easier than changing motor oil, and uses less oil (that i offer to provide)

 

[cvette]

You should call Kurt White at White Racing Products. He is in Tampa. If anybody can tell you what's wrong he can!

Charlie

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

Well,

I got a rebuilt transmission from White Racing in Tampa last Friday (went over and picked it up) and installed it Saturday. I got the older "Black Label" style with the reverse lockout because Kurt said he's never had roblems with them.

The transmission works great (although I only have driven it to work this morning due to all the rain we've had). It's alot quieter at idle than the old one was which makes me think the old one had a bad bearing or something to start with. But at least now I'm back on the road.


The only problem now is I noticed my light that illuminates the radio display is burned out!! I'm sure that will be alot cheaper to fix than the transmission, however.

-Dave C.