Help! Need info on how to perform a manual shifter alignment

[YESNDEED49]

on my 2000 c5 6spd. I'm having a slight problem with shifting, i first noticed it when shifting into reverse it would slip out sometime when i release the clutch but if i hold it in reverse start to backup then release the shifter it would stay in reverse and backup just fine. I have no problems with the transmission slipping or anything like that it just shifts like it needs adjusting some how. while shifting from 1st to 2nd it feels rough not smooth at all but again that's the only thing wrong, please help...I can make the adjustment myself if i had the info on how to perfrom this shifter alignment so if someone can give me the detailed info on how to perform this it would be greatly appreciated...I have only 65k miles on my 2000 c5 convertible and it is in exceptional condition inside and out excluding the shifting issue...Thanks in advance for your info.

 

[gmjunkie]

Shift Linkage Adjustment 6 sp C5

Apply the parking brake.
Remove the shift control closeout boot.
Place the shifter into NEUTRAL.
Press down to engage the shift control neutral lock pin.

Loosen the transmission shift rod clamp bolt.
Loosen the shift control mounting bolts.

Check that the shift control locator (on the underside of the shift control) is installed into the shifter bracket on the side of the driveline support assembly.

Tighten the shift control mounting bolts.
Tighten the shift control mounting bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
Tighten the transmission shift rod clamp bolt.
Tighten the transmission shift rod clamp bolt to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).



Lift to release the shift control neutral lock pin.
Install the shift control closeout boot.
Release the parking brake.

 

[YESNDEED49]

Thanks for the info, i'm going to try it tomorrow when i get home from work and i'll let you know the out come, again thanks !

 

[YESNDEED49]

Thanks for the info, i'm going to try it tomorrow when i get home from work and i'll let you know the out come, again thanks !

I did the shifter alignment and it made the shift smoother but it still slips out of reverse also i notice that when I puI it in reverse i can ease off the clutch alittle and it will go into reverse and not come out. Another thing is when i come out of and gear and release the clutch then engage the clutch and try to put it in reverse it will grind alittle and some time it will go into reverse with no grind but not go fully, this is when it will slip out, then all I have to do is engage the clutch and puti it in anothere gear and them put it in reverse and it will go just fine and stay without slipping out...so now what should I do?;help

 

[froggy47]

It seems to me you are not fully engaging reverse. If you have done the adjustment correctly, the next thing I would try is new fluid in the tranny. Has it ever been changed? I recommend Redline d4atf. Last thing would be change out the whole shifter for a c6 shifter.

Getting the tranny fully into reverse is a bit of a trick. I like to go to 3rd & release the clutch just enough to roll maybe 1/2 inch then straight to reverse. Works EVERY time & no need to JAM it into reverse.

 

[LLC5]

I did the shifter alignment and it made the shift smoother but it still slips out of reverse also i notice that when I puI it in reverse i can ease off the clutch alittle and it will go into reverse and not come out. Another thing is when i come out of and gear and release the clutch then engage the clutch and try to put it in reverse it will grind alittle and some time it will go into reverse with no grind but not go fully, this is when it will slip out, then all I have to do is engage the clutch and puti it in anothere gear and them put it in reverse and it will go just fine and stay without slipping out...so now what should I do?;help

Some of your problem is normal, but the other parts sounds like possibly worn transmission synchro's.

Like froggy stated, give Redline D4ATF a try first and at the same time try going to a forward gear and rolling first before engaging reverse as this procedure works very well and is a lot cheaper than getting into the transmission. I leave my car parked in first gear and have just gotten into the habit of rolling forward a little before engaging reverse, just comes natural now as I don't even have to think about doing it. Good luck with it.

 

[YESNDEED49]

Some of your problem is normal, but the other parts sounds like possibly worn transmission synchro's.

Like froggy stated, give Redline D4ATF a try first and at the same time try going to a forward gear and rolling first before engaging reverse as this procedure works very well and is a lot cheaper than getting into the transmission. I leave my car parked in first gear and have just gotten into the habit of rolling forward a little before engaging reverse, just comes natural now as I don't even have to think about doing it. Good luck with it.

Thanks guys for the info, I'm going to change the transmission fluid with what you recommended and I'll let you know what that does for me, again thanks

 

[YESNDEED49]

Thanks guys for the info, I'm going to change the transmission fluid with what you recommended and I'll let you know what that does for me, again thanks

I changed the transmission fluid yesterday and it seems smoother in shifting but It still slips out of reverse....I did put it into a foward gear and rolled forward alittle and then put it in reverse and it works fine, it stays into reverse I can ease off the clutch or release it alittle quicker and it stays in reverse no problem...so I guess it's not fully engaging reverse by going from neutral to reverse but will do so by going into a forward gear and then going into reverse...well I don't have any problems with shifting into any other gears and it shifts fine while going into all forward gears 1-6....I may even try the c6 shifter and I'm going to change my clutch fluid also....Thanks for the info guys....

 

[froggy47]

Good,

Just make sure it's all they way in reverse every time. If I feel it did not go all they way, I just repeat the roll fwd drill.

I'm sure it's not good for the tran gears to POP OUT of any gear.

 

[LLC5]

I changed the transmission fluid yesterday and it seems smoother in shifting but It still slips out of reverse....I did put it into a foward gear and rolled forward alittle and then put it in reverse and it works fine, it stays into reverse I can ease off the clutch or release it alittle quicker and it stays in reverse no problem...so I guess it's not fully engaging reverse by going from neutral to reverse but will do so by going into a forward gear and then going into reverse...well I don't have any problems with shifting into any other gears and it shifts fine while going into all forward gears 1-6....I may even try the c6 shifter and I'm going to change my clutch fluid also....Thanks for the info guys....

The C6 shifter won't help your issue, so don't replace it for that reason. The only difference between the C5 and C6 shifters is the handle bend and the knob attachment. Let me know if you have any questions about them, I have had many apart.

 

[froggy47]

The C6 shifter won't help your issue, so don't replace it for that reason. The only difference between the C5 and C6 shifters is the handle bend and the knob attachment. Let me know if you have any questions about them, I have had many apart.

I was just thinking if he had bent something in the original c5 shifter, might as well go with a c6 shifter as so many people seem to think it's a great upgrade & the price is similar. Personally I like my c5 shifter. I would guess there is "some" normal wear on a syncro & probably not enough to take the tranny apart. It can be "managed" with good tranny fluid & the little "select another gear first" trick.

Sometimes, like today, when my tranny oil is a little warmed up I will try just going right into reverse & it falls right in. Mine has never popped out of any gear. It's a solid piece.

I bet even a Bugatti Veyron has it's quirks.

 

[LLC5]

I was just thinking if he had bent something in the original c5 shifter, might as well go with a c6 shifter as so many people seem to think it's a great upgrade & the price is similar. Personally I like my c5 shifter. I would guess there is "some" normal wear on a syncro & probably not enough to take the tranny apart. It can be "managed" with good tranny fluid & the little "select another gear first" trick.

Sometimes, like today, when my tranny oil is a little warmed up I will try just going right into reverse & it falls right in. Mine has never popped out of any gear. It's a solid piece.

I bet even a Bugatti Veyron has it's quirks.

That's true, good point. I wasn't considering the fact that he could have damaged parts in the OEM shifter as i have never seen it yet, but it could indeed happen, and a lot of people do like the shape and knob of the C6 shifter.

 

[Bill Curlee]

The OEM shifter is fairly simple and does not have much to wear out. On the other hand,, the rubber bushings that isolate the shifter from the torque tube get soft and deteriorate. They can have a detrimental effect on shift quality.

The bushings are not sold separately BUT,, aftermarket sources are starting to come to market..

The C5 ZO6 shifter came with solid aluminum bushings. The Coupe and vert had rubber bushings.

ZO6 Shifter with metal bushings:

Stock vs Kirban Shifter:

Stock Knob with demond key:

ZERO KEY: