ZF Transmission stopped working

[Jetjock]

While driving to a car show very early this morning, my transmission start acting weird in 6th gear. Downshifted to 5th and it smoothed out. I thought that I would pull off and get something to eat. When I got to the top of the off ramp, I downshifted to first and nothing happened. Went to second and nothing happened. Damn! Then a lot of smoke came out from under the car. No fire, just a lot of smoke which dissipated pretty quickly. Called AAA and got a tow back to the house. While the guy was winching up the car onto the flatbed, I saw a lot of fluid on the ground which could only be the transmission fluid.



I guess the next question is now what. I have a place to take it to but I don't know if they would be crazy about leaving my car on a lift while the transmission is out of the car for repairs. The other idea is to get another ZF transmission and swap it out minimizing the down time. Thoughts on the above? I do live pretty close to Bowling Green. I don't know if anybody has any experience with this type of transmission due to the age. Car only had 48,000 miles on it.



Roy

[tccrab]

Call Bill Budreau, the ZF Doc, explain the symptoms, he will tell you exactly what has happened.
Swapping transmissions will be your quickest fix, and theres a few spare ZF6s around, you just gotta ask the right people. Check with Jerrys Gaskets, Jerry will know more than anyone.
I do have a spare black tag ZF6 in my shed but is got a bad synchros and will need fixing before it goes into a car.

Crabs

[Jetjock]

Well, situation check. Jerry has a transmission there but it's for the later C4 Corvettes. Doesn't have the slip ring on the shifter. The next thing is to take the car to someplace to remove the transmission and park the car until the new transmission is put in. I would love to find someone in BWG that can do that but I would find that very unlikely. I've been trying to find some prices but not coming up with a lot. I looked at Ebay and I just thought no way! I'd rather deal with a reputable person like Bill or Jerry. I was just thinking that the board wants some articles about the work on the cars and this would be a good article for the next issue of the HOTB. I'm not in a super big hurry but I would like to get it done sometime in the next three months.



Roy

[Mikey]

You sure it's the trans and not the clutch?

Hopefully in a few months I will have my shop built so I could help guys out in these situations. Did a lot with buddies in FL before I moved.

[efnfast]

That was my first thought Roy, clutch, not tranny. Everything I hear, Bill B is the man.

[Corvette95]

Jerrys blue tag will work in your car. Just change the throw - out bearing to the newer type for the blue tag, You will need to order a later style shift boot for the console.

[Jetjock]

FYI, I described the situation to Bill over the phone and he said that it sounded like a catastrophic reverse gear seizure. I've had clutch failure before and this was not it. He currently doesn't have a transmission built up at the moment so I'm going to have start looking around or wait for the second coming.



Roy

[Jetjock]

You sure it's the trans and not the clutch?

Hopefully in a few months I will have my shop built so I could help guys out in these situations. Did a lot with buddies in FL before I moved.


That will help a lot around here. Since VanDorn died, there is not a single shop to handle this kind of problem. Are you in Nashville now?


Roy

[aafc]

Check with Arron Scott @ 229 224 2919 South Georgia Corvette in
Thomasville GA.
John

[Jetjock]

Thanks, John. I didn't even think about him.


Roy

[Karl]

This '90 is being parted out. You should inquire about the transmission.

https://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33078

Or try and track down this wreck and see if the transmission is available.

https://www.iaai.com/vehicledetails/39478057?tenant=US&RowNumber=20

Good luck!

[Perry Mitchell]

I would like to know what a good used ZF6 black tag transmission is worth as I have one from a 17,000 mile wrecked 91 Z.

[Karl]

I would like to know what a good used ZF6 black tag transmission is worth as I have one from a 17,000 mile wrecked 91 Z.

$2k and up is a good starting point from what I have seen online.

[Mikey]

That will help a lot around here. Since VanDorn died, there is not a single shop to handle this kind of problem. Are you in Nashville now?


Roy

Yeah, got here last fall. Just having a hard time getting started on a garage shop, everyone is too busy I guess.

[Jetjock]

Check with Arron Scott @ 229 224 2919 South Georgia Corvette in
Thomasville GA.
John


I did call him and he didn't have anything but he told me about a guy that he used for his transmission and never had any problem with them. I'm currently researching options. I do have the car setup for the transmission removal on the 31st. Just need to see what options present themselves.


Roy

[JThomas]

Roy, I know I am late to the discussion, but Bill Boudreau built the transmission for my car and he was great to deal with. My local Chevrolet Dealership removed the transmission, installed the new one built by Bill and crated up the old one and returned it to Bill. The dealership even installed the new Clutch and Pressure Plate recommended by Marc Haibeck, which included some shims.

[Jetjock]

I know, Joe. The problem is that Bill doesn't have any built up. I did talk to Aaron Scott and he didn't have anything but recommended a guy in Tallahassee that has some ZF's there. If he can do it, I intend to buy his transmission and have it installed at the same time as they pull the other one and ship it to him. If not, My car sits for a little while while he rebuilds mine.


Either way, it will take some time.


Roy

[Jetjock]

I had the transmission pulled today and they found out it's not the transmission, its the clutch. The owner of the shop checked out the transmission and said that it's good. Apparently, the rear mail seal blew along with a ball bearing coming out. I will have to have a new clutch and a new flywheel. Some other issues occurred during the failure but I don't have any details. One thing I do need to find is the duel mass flywheel. GM shows that that they are available but the guy is having a hard time finding them.If any one has any leads, please let me know.

Roy

[A26B]

I had the transmission pulled today and they found out it's not the transmission, its the clutch. The owner of the shop checked out the transmission and said that it's good. Apparently, the rear mail seal blew along with a ball bearing coming out. I will have to have a new clutch and a new flywheel. Some other issues occurred during the failure but I don't have any details. One thing I do need to find is the duel mass flywheel. GM shows that that they are available but the guy is having a hard time finding them.If any one has any leads, please let me know.

Roy
I sure would like to hear more about that when you know. "Blowing" a rear main seal? "Ball Bearing coming out??" Wow!!

You should get some photos if you can.

[Jagdpanzer]

Sounds to me like the throw-out bearing may have let go.
How many miles does the DM flywheel have on it?

[Jetjock]

I sure would like to hear more about that when you know. "Blowing" a rear main seal? "Ball Bearing coming out??" Wow!!

You should get some photos if you can.


I talked to the shop again and this is what they suspect. The engine rear main seal had been leaking for a awhile but wasn't in any large quantity. I saw some drops on the floor but nothing that would cause any panic. While I was driving it to Lexington, KY for a car show, the rear main seal gave way and soaked the clutch and, apparently, that caused a cascade failure of components. They found fibrous material mixed in with the hydraulic fluid of the slave cylinder. He told me that, I'm guessing, that the release bearing came out. The bottom line is that the transmission is good. Its the clutch system that failed. I have pics. I will be writing this up for the HOTB.



Roy

[Jetjock]

Sounds to me like the throw-out bearing may have let go.
How many miles does the DM flywheel have on it?


About 48,000 miles to my knowledge.