Trans Third Gear Shift / Fluid

[gbmidyear66]

My ZF does not shift cleanly into third gear. Below about 2500 RPM it will stop short of going fully into gear and needs an extra "push" to fully engage. At 3K and above it goes into 3rd clean and smooth. Anybody else experience this?

The shifter returns well to the center position. It appears from the records I have that the fluid was changed 10K miles ago (7 years) and it has the GM fluid in it.

Other than the obvious solution... "never shift below 3K!" - I am wondering if switching to the Castrol product or to the Amsoil product might be helpful?

[Scrrem]

My ZF does not shift cleanly into third gear. Below about 2500 RPM it will stop short of going fully into gear and needs an extra "push" to fully engage. At 3K and above it goes into 3rd clean and smooth. Anybody else experience this?

The shifter returns well to the center position. It appears from the records I have that the fluid was changed 10K miles ago (7 years) and it has the GM fluid in it.

Other than the obvious solution... "never shift below 3K!" - I am wondering if switching to the Castrol product or to the Amsoil product might be helpful?

Sounds like you may have a synco going bad. You can try chaing the fluid but some trans work may be in order.

Rich

[sammy]

best bet ,run this by bill boudreau the zfdoc .he is the best with our trannys

[thethrillofspeed]

Mine does the same thing. I was considering changing the fluid, even bough the socket, but I have not changed it yet. My Wrangler is also similar, I changed the fluid in it, but it didn't make any difference. I fear it is just wear in the trans.

[gbmidyear66]

Rich, that was the conclusion I was trying to avoid coming to.....

Guess a call to the ZF doc is in order.

[Z51JEFF]

My 91 does the same thing if Im bangin the gears through the RPMs and this car had 7,000 miles when I got it.Anymore I just pay attention going into 3rd if I know theres a chance it might not go in.Ill try the Castrol here pretty soon.This was only an issue when going through the gears cookin at a nice pace.