reverse gear on zf

[redlt4]

I recently purchased a 96 lt4 car and love it. The only problem is, I sometimes have an issue putting the tranny into reverse. I put the shifter all the way over, pull the shifter back, and think its in reverse. I then slowly let out on the clutch and sometimes I get a grinding noise. Other times, I hear a pop coming from the tranny, which I can feel through the shifter, and then the car starts to move as if the pop I hear was the reverse gear finally engaging. It doesn't happen every time, but enough to worry me.
I've read through some threads and it seems some of you have a similar issue with your zf's.
I've already contacted zfdoc and they seem to think its an internal transmission problem. I've also read something about a set screw on the shifter itself that can come loose and cause reverse not to engage properly. If someone can shed further light on this, I would appreciate it.

 

[Ken]

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center!

Check out htis recent thread regarding reverse issues: Difficulty getting into reverse.

 

[JEFNLSA]

Welcome to the !! Great members, great site & lots of info.

The ZFDoc knows his stuff (I live in Phx and he has worked on my car) but of course he is giving you an opinion w/o a firsthand look.
It possibly could be in the hydraulics...have you checked the clutch fluid?
When it's low, getting it into reverse can be one of the first signs.

 

[SSTibet]

Redlt4, I had a similar problem with my ZF and took it to my mechanic. He disassembled the shifter and put it back again and told me nothing was wrong. But he also told me we might get into the transmission at a later date. He recommended to make absolutely sure that the shifter is in the reverse position before releasing the clutch pedal. It has since been a few weeks and I did not have this problem. Since it is cold winter here I cannot drive the car often. But so far it seems okay.

 

[Hib Halverson]

There was a transmission issue the year before (MY95) which would cause high effort into gears, rev. included, after a "cold soak" (which means after the car has been sitting a while) but the problem was fixed prior to 1996 production.

One thing you want to check before you pull the trans for repairs is the clutch condition. Make sure the clutch hydraulics have no air in them--bleeding procedure is in the service manual--and that the clutch pedal is not bent and that the floor mat is not such that the clutch pedal is fouling the mat and not getting all the way to the floor prior to shifting into reverse.

If you end up needing trans work, the ZF Doc, Bill Boudreau, is your best source. Bill has done my ZF work (which, admittedly has not been very often) for a number of years. I also have Bill's C-beam plates installed on my ZR-1 and they work quite well in increasing powertrain stiffness on high rpm, high load shifts.