Those of you with the "2nd Gear Grind" - Page 6 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

IDEALG · 02-24-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clayton006

So I got my car back today. Long story very short is that I took a ride along with the service tech and the service manager and he was putting the car through the paces more than I would. He couldn't get it to grind at all. Out of the 8-10 times I shifted like that I got it to grind once (and it didn't really grind, but just kinda caught the gear). The other guy was shifting a LOT harder than I was and the car moved like the demon it should be.

So this could very well be driver error on my part to a certain degree. They mentioned that there could be some wear on that gear and that if it starts happening more frequently that I should bring it in (which it doesn't do it a lot right now). They have enough history to guarantee that they won't chalk it up to any abuse problem.

I guess I should put more miles on it and wait and see. I'll need to watch my driving habits and how I sit in the car should help a bit. This is my 5th manual but first short throw shifter. There could be some truth in that my reaction time is too slow. I know this is not the case for most people or probably everyone else on here, but it's hard to argue with them in my case that I didn't play a role in it.

very well could be driver error in this case, no shame there though. no one is perfect and i think we have all missed shifts from time to time. my car is definitely screwed though i can hold my clutch pedal to the floor and that damn tranny will not go into second, nothing but grind. weird too because it shifts and drives fine otherwise. only on a high rpm shift it wont go into second.

clayton006 · 02-24-2012, 09:26 PM

I think I keep speaking too soon. I still think something isn't right with this transmission. Doesn't feel right until its warmed up to the middle of the gauge. I'm either going to take it to a different dealer or call GM customer service. I know when I granny shift it sometime it pushes back out of gear in 2nd like it doesn't want to go in.

IDEALG · 02-25-2012, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clayton006

I think I keep speaking too soon. I still think something isn't right with this transmission. Doesn't feel right until its warmed up to the middle of the gauge. I'm either going to take it to a different dealer or call GM customer service. I know when I granny shift it sometime it pushes back out of gear in 2nd like it doesn't want to go in.

i would try a different dealer then, and calling GM customer service is a good idea the more complaints the better.

When i take my car in on thursday I'm going to ask my friend there to look into the ZL1 tranny and hydraulics and see if they are different or upgraded. maybe we could get those installed in our cars.

IDEALG · 02-25-2012, 02:17 PM

OK I think i've found my problem. I've been dealing with this second gear grinding for quite some time now and all i do all day long is talk about second gear grinding. I've had my trans in and out at least a dozen times already with trans rebuilds and clutch/pressure plate changes.
Today my dad and I were ready to remove the trans again and try shimming out the slave cylinder but we determined that wouldnt help one damn bit. The shims are a joke they do absolutely nothing and after arguing with my dad about this i was finally convinced that he was right and the shims wont do a damn thing. we've done alot of measuring and testing the throw of the clutch pedal and slave cylinder throw. So i wanted to take him for a ride in my car and show him exactly how and when it grinds second gear. Right before he got in the car i noticed my husky liner weather floor mats go up under the clutch pedal so i pushed the clutch pedal all the way to the floor and it hits the floor mats. So i thought maybe that tiny tiny bit of floor mat in the way of the clutch pedal was enough to hang up the clutch

. we took the car for a ride still with the floor mats in place, wound out first gear to 6000 rpm smashed the clutch pedal to the floor and shifted into second without it grinding. I did it three time and the trans was cold. tomorrow its suppose to be nice so i'll take the car out for a ride get the trans nice and hot and try it again over and over to be sure.
I'm 99% convinced that the problem lies in the clutch master cylinder. It just doesnt flow enough and you have to make sure that you push the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor hard to completely disengage the clutch at high rpms.

This grind issue has drove me nuts. My first trans i couldnt shift above 3500 rpm so there was definitely something wrong with that trans but this new trans shifts fine it was only at high rpms (5000 rpm or higher) when i would get the grind and i believe it was because i needed that little bit extra leverage on the clutch pedal that my floor mat was stopping.

Those of you having problems with your transmission under 4000 rpm i suggest you take it to the dealer and have them replace the whole trans.

Those of you that have grinding into second only at high rpms I believe its the clutch master cylinder and we need to get someone to make us a new master cylinder that flows more.

When I take my car out tomorrow and test it again to be 100% positive i'll repost for you .

MIZ-ARO · 02-25-2012, 09:05 PM

Coyotekiller · 02-25-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clayton006

Even though I do have the grind... mine happens anytime I try to shift quickly above 3000rpm when the trans is warm, lower rpms than that when it is cold. I have a stock short throw shifter.

I'm hoping when I tell them I want a replacement car they can let me get the ZL1 for all my trouble :-D

That sounds like you need to learn to shift.

clayton006 · 02-26-2012, 07:57 AM

Could be

but also when granny shifting when it's cold it grinds as well. If I try to shift any slower ill probably forget what gear I'm trying to go into in the morning.

IDEALG · 02-26-2012, 09:40 AM

Well I'm done with my testing. I took the car out this morning and the tranny was very cold at start up just a tad over 30 degrees. The trans was tight and notchy at first but this is normal with this trans when its that cold. I drove it around for awhile and as the trans warmed up the shifting became a lot easier and back to normal. once the trans was hot I beat the hell out of her and didnt grind it once because i smashed the clutch pedal to the floor. If i dont really hit that pedal hard to the floor at high rpm shifting it will grind.

So therefore i am 100% convinced that the problem lies in the hydraulics of this beast. We need a better master cylinder

Not much more to say about this, someone needs to make us a better master cylinder that flows a little more fluid.

Keisler Engineering did a custom master cylinder and slave cylinder combination for a camaro. its in this thread somewhere look back someone sent me the link for the videos, anyway if no one else comes out with a master cylinder soon i think we should all call keisler and ask them to make a kit for us.

clayton006 · 02-27-2012, 07:39 AM

Keep me posted. I normally don't shift quickly like this but its eating me in the back of my head knowing the car may / may not be running well.

Waterboy2b98 · 02-29-2012, 11:37 PM

Took my Camaro in for second gear grind today. They said it only grinds under mid to heavy throttle, not every shift attempt, so they will not even open it up to see if there is a problem. It sucks because I just bought my Camaro, and not I cant even drive it the way I want?? Anyone else got the same response as I did from the dealer?

MIZ-ARO · 03-01-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterboy2b98

Took my Camaro in for second gear grind today. They said it only grinds under mid to heavy throttle, not every shift attempt, so they will not even open it up to see if there is a problem. It sucks because I just bought my Camaro, and not I cant even drive it the way I want?? Anyone else got the same response as I did from the dealer?

It took me 3 times to the dealer to get them to open up the transmission and I think that I have a very good service department. The problem is, this is a known issue with no real "GM Approved" fix. I would call Customer Service and tell them what you are being told. They have been extremely helpful for me and keep calling to see what the deal with my car is and if I think that the dealer is doing everything they can to remedy the situation.

BTW, I should have my Halle back today!!! Wish me luck...

IDEALG · 03-01-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterboy2b98

Took my Camaro in for second gear grind today. They said it only grinds under mid to heavy throttle, not every shift attempt, so they will not even open it up to see if there is a problem. It sucks because I just bought my Camaro, and not I cant even drive it the way I want?? Anyone else got the same response as I did from the dealer?

take it to a different dealer

IDEALG · 03-01-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIZ-ARO

It took me 3 times to the dealer to get them to open up the transmission and I think that I have a very good service department. The problem is, this is a known issue with no real "GM Approved" fix. I would call Customer Service and tell them what you are being told. They have been extremely helpful for me and keep calling to see what the deal with my car is and if I think that the dealer is doing everything they can to remedy the situation.

BTW, I should have my Halle back today!!! Wish me luck...

keep us posted

Abstrak · 03-01-2012, 11:31 AM

I have an auto but this thread is very intriguing sorry you guys have to go jump through these hoops.

02-25-2012, 09:05 PM	#75
MIZ-ARO Drives: 2012 Z71 Colorado Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 107	__________________ GM Buyback 2012 2SS/RS Convertible Hurst M6 Black/IOM/Orange Stripes #838

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02-24-2012, 09:26 PM	#72
clayton006 Drives: 2011 2SS Black M6 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 63	I think I keep speaking too soon. I still think something isn't right with this transmission. Doesn't feel right until its warmed up to the middle of the gauge. I'm either going to take it to a different dealer or call GM customer service. I know when I granny shift it sometime it pushes back out of gear in 2nd like it doesn't want to go in.

02-25-2012, 02:17 PM	#74
IDEALG Chevy's "Rumble" Best! Drives: 2015 ZL1 6 speed Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ideal Garage aka (Grayskull) Fords, nj Posts: 4,458 View My Garage	OK I think i've found my problem. I've been dealing with this second gear grinding for quite some time now and all i do all day long is talk about second gear grinding. I've had my trans in and out at least a dozen times already with trans rebuilds and clutch/pressure plate changes. Today my dad and I were ready to remove the trans again and try shimming out the slave cylinder but we determined that wouldnt help one damn bit. The shims are a joke they do absolutely nothing and after arguing with my dad about this i was finally convinced that he was right and the shims wont do a damn thing. we've done alot of measuring and testing the throw of the clutch pedal and slave cylinder throw. So i wanted to take him for a ride in my car and show him exactly how and when it grinds second gear. Right before he got in the car i noticed my husky liner weather floor mats go up under the clutch pedal so i pushed the clutch pedal all the way to the floor and it hits the floor mats. So i thought maybe that tiny tiny bit of floor mat in the way of the clutch pedal was enough to hang up the clutch . we took the car for a ride still with the floor mats in place, wound out first gear to 6000 rpm smashed the clutch pedal to the floor and shifted into second without it grinding. I did it three time and the trans was cold. tomorrow its suppose to be nice so i'll take the car out for a ride get the trans nice and hot and try it again over and over to be sure. I'm 99% convinced that the problem lies in the clutch master cylinder. It just doesnt flow enough and you have to make sure that you push the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor hard to completely disengage the clutch at high rpms. This grind issue has drove me nuts. My first trans i couldnt shift above 3500 rpm so there was definitely something wrong with that trans but this new trans shifts fine it was only at high rpms (5000 rpm or higher) when i would get the grind and i believe it was because i needed that little bit extra leverage on the clutch pedal that my floor mat was stopping. Those of you having problems with your transmission under 4000 rpm i suggest you take it to the dealer and have them replace the whole trans. Those of you that have grinding into second only at high rpms I believe its the clutch master cylinder and we need to get someone to make us a new master cylinder that flows more. When I take my car out tomorrow and test it again to be 100% positive i'll repost for you .

02-26-2012, 07:57 AM	#77
clayton006 Drives: 2011 2SS Black M6 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 63	Could be but also when granny shifting when it's cold it grinds as well. If I try to shift any slower ill probably forget what gear I'm trying to go into in the morning.

02-26-2012, 09:40 AM	#78
IDEALG Chevy's "Rumble" Best! Drives: 2015 ZL1 6 speed Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ideal Garage aka (Grayskull) Fords, nj Posts: 4,458 View My Garage	Well I'm done with my testing. I took the car out this morning and the tranny was very cold at start up just a tad over 30 degrees. The trans was tight and notchy at first but this is normal with this trans when its that cold. I drove it around for awhile and as the trans warmed up the shifting became a lot easier and back to normal. once the trans was hot I beat the hell out of her and didnt grind it once because i smashed the clutch pedal to the floor. If i dont really hit that pedal hard to the floor at high rpm shifting it will grind. So therefore i am 100% convinced that the problem lies in the hydraulics of this beast. We need a better master cylinder Not much more to say about this, someone needs to make us a better master cylinder that flows a little more fluid. Keisler Engineering did a custom master cylinder and slave cylinder combination for a camaro. its in this thread somewhere look back someone sent me the link for the videos, anyway if no one else comes out with a master cylinder soon i think we should all call keisler and ask them to make a kit for us.

02-27-2012, 07:39 AM	#79
clayton006 Drives: 2011 2SS Black M6 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 63	Keep me posted. I normally don't shift quickly like this but its eating me in the back of my head knowing the car may / may not be running well.

02-29-2012, 11:37 PM	#80
Waterboy2b98 Waterboy2B98 Drives: 11 2SS M6. Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Prairieville La. Posts: 46	Took my Camaro in for second gear grind today. They said it only grinds under mid to heavy throttle, not every shift attempt, so they will not even open it up to see if there is a problem. It sucks because I just bought my Camaro, and not I cant even drive it the way I want?? Anyone else got the same response as I did from the dealer?

03-01-2012, 11:31 AM	#84
Abstrak Drives: 2012 AGM Camaro LS / Team LFX Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland Posts: 546	I have an auto but this thread is very intriguing sorry you guys have to go jump through these hoops.