Transmission question, ball roller - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Stingray1967 · 07-04-2021

Hey guys,
I am noticing a slight difficulty shifting from 2 to 3 every once in a while. It seems to be the same issue that ZFDoc has on his website. Excerpt below:

Q) On my car I can power shift 2nd and 4th, but I'm having problems with 3rd. During normal driving going to 3rd does not feel as smooth as going to 4th or 5th. Sometimes I don't even feel like it went into gear. The shifter grabs third gear, but it feels like it is half way there, like it has an additional 1/8" of travel left to go, not like all the others gears where you feel the shifter securely engaging the gear. Third grabs, but you feel like the shifter did not go in all the way.

A) There may be an issue with linkage that is slowing down the actuation of the 3rd gear shift event. How is the "return to center" spring action of the shifter feel? This is how well the shifter springs back to the 3/4 neutral position when released from the 1/2 neutral position or the 5/6 neutral position. The return to center action should be quick and crisp. This return to center action is initiated by the mountain detent of the shift shaft (internal) and the ball detent (roller) and two springs located just forward of the CAGS bung. If the ball detent gets crud in it, the return to center action becomes diminished. This condition is of the easiest to correct. It requires a new Ball Roller($15), 2 Compression Springs($5) and less than 5 minutes to install once access under the vehicle is gained.

I'm inclined to start with a fluid change. I have three quarts of the AC Delco 1052391 5W30 in hand and I have a lift to easily get under the car.

Should I just go ahead and order that from ZFDOC? Anyone else run into this?

tccrab · 07-04-2021

You may have difficulties getting the drain plug out.
It's in a really tight spot and a regular allen wrench wont fit on it.
You will want a spare plug in the outside chance yours gets buggered up. I may have a spare if should need one.
There is a section in the Tech Tips section that may save you some time and frustration.
'Crabs

Dynomite · 07-05-2021

Remove FILL plug first.
you can always switch plugs later.

Removing Transmission Plugs TIPS

Stingray1967 · 07-06-2021

Thanks guys, I have a set of the "bits" for getting that plug out. I had the car in the air the other day and put the bit in place by itself and it fits great.

07-04-2021	#1
Stingray1967 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 126	Transmission question, ball roller Hey guys, I am noticing a slight difficulty shifting from 2 to 3 every once in a while. It seems to be the same issue that ZFDoc has on his website. Excerpt below: Q) On my car I can power shift 2nd and 4th, but I'm having problems with 3rd. During normal driving going to 3rd does not feel as smooth as going to 4th or 5th. Sometimes I don't even feel like it went into gear. The shifter grabs third gear, but it feels like it is half way there, like it has an additional 1/8" of travel left to go, not like all the others gears where you feel the shifter securely engaging the gear. Third grabs, but you feel like the shifter did not go in all the way. A) There may be an issue with linkage that is slowing down the actuation of the 3rd gear shift event. How is the "return to center" spring action of the shifter feel? This is how well the shifter springs back to the 3/4 neutral position when released from the 1/2 neutral position or the 5/6 neutral position. The return to center action should be quick and crisp. This return to center action is initiated by the mountain detent of the shift shaft (internal) and the ball detent (roller) and two springs located just forward of the CAGS bung. If the ball detent gets crud in it, the return to center action becomes diminished. This condition is of the easiest to correct. It requires a new Ball Roller($15), 2 Compression Springs($5) and less than 5 minutes to install once access under the vehicle is gained. I'm inclined to start with a fluid change. I have three quarts of the AC Delco 1052391 5W30 in hand and I have a lift to easily get under the car. Should I just go ahead and order that from ZFDOC? Anyone else run into this? __________________ 1967 Corvette convertible, L79, 4 speed, red / black / white top 1994 Corvette ZR-1, white / black NCRS North Central Chapter Judging Chairman

07-04-2021	#2
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,645	Re: Transmission question, ball roller You may have difficulties getting the drain plug out. It's in a really tight spot and a regular allen wrench wont fit on it. You will want a spare plug in the outside chance yours gets buggered up. I may have a spare if should need one. There is a section in the Tech Tips section that may save you some time and frustration. 'Crabs __________________ TomC '90ZR1 #792 Honorary Pirate [B]If it ain't FUN, you're doing something terribly WRONG. [/B] Last edited by tccrab; 07-04-2021 at 09:56 PM.

07-05-2021	#3
Dynomite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South Dakota/California Posts: 3,788	Re: Transmission question, ball roller Remove FILL plug first. you can always switch plugs later. Removing Transmission Plugs TIPS __________________ Left Clickable links -Solutions- LT5 Modifications/Rebuild Tricks Low Mileage ZR-1 Restoration 1990 Corvette (L98) Modifications LT5 Eliminated Systems LT5 Added Systems LT5/ZR-1 Fluids 1995 LT5 SPECIFIC TOP END REBUILD TRICKS Last edited by Dynomite; 07-05-2021 at 06:12 PM.

07-06-2021	#4
Stingray1967 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 126	Re: Transmission question, ball roller Thanks guys, I have a set of the "bits" for getting that plug out. I had the car in the air the other day and put the bit in place by itself and it fits great. __________________ 1967 Corvette convertible, L79, 4 speed, red / black / white top 1994 Corvette ZR-1, white / black NCRS North Central Chapter Judging Chairman