tremec hard as hell to shift

rob90gt · 03-12-2002, 06:18 PM

About a week ago my tremec became really hard to shift! Mainly it is when I'm just taking off in first, but it is also hard to find third sometimes. Say if I'm backing out the driveway to go from reverse to first I have to use two hands to push the shifter in. Other than that it doesn't grind or anything so I haven't adjusted my clutch. Do y'all think it is time for a new clutch?Both the tranny and zoom heavy duty clutch have about 5000 miles on them. Also if I get a new clutch will I need a new adj. cable? I have one from steeda with the same mileage on it. Thanks guys for some opinions.

Mike_W · 03-12-2002, 06:22 PM

Excuse me for asking the obvious. You used ATF did'nt you?

Dark_5.0 · 03-12-2002, 06:34 PM

Lol, I sure hope so....It seems funny that you have to put ATF in a manual tranny when I first got my car I thought the guy at the parts store was crazy for telling me that.

Later,

rob90gt · 03-12-2002, 06:59 PM

ATF? I was always told to use gm synchromesh which seem to work fine as I've already changed it twice and the tranny was smooth as silk so far, it just seems like it has gotten worse the last week or 2. Thanks alot guys keep em comin. By the way I may be tryin ATF next what brand?

Mike_W · 03-12-2002, 07:23 PM

Actually, Tremec recomends the GM synchromesh, which is ATF. Check to see if the dust boot is interferring with the shifter, maybe something fell in there.

andy669 · 03-12-2002, 10:27 PM

GM Synchromesh looks nothing like ATF. I would suspect a stretched cable or worn disc.

andy

1BAD89 · 03-12-2002, 11:39 PM

Are you hard on the clutch, drag race alot? Because the Zoom heavy duty clutch is not the toughest clutch in the world.....my vote goes for new clutch and adj. clutch cable.(that is what I would check first.)

Chris_H · 03-13-2002, 07:21 AM

Well here is my 2 cents worth on the Tremec. I have had mine about 2 years now, and it is the biggest piece of crap that I could have ever bought for my Mustang. I had the same problems you do, except that it would not allow me to get into 3rd or 4th. It's almost like I had a 3 speed (1st, 2nd, and 5th.) It did this for about 6 months and finally straightened out. Sometimes it would work falwlessly and other times I never wanted to drive the car. I went as far as pulling the tranny back out, putting in a new cluth and a new shifter, only to find out that others have been having the same problems as I was. I'd say ditch the tranny and go with a T-5Z or something else. I will NEVER again in my life buy a Tremec tranny. I know this doesn't help much, but at least you are not the only one who has had problems with their tranny's.

Chris

Sonics2042 · 03-13-2002, 12:09 PM

What would you get if you wanted something that could take some strain (ie: ~300-400 rwhp)?

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris_H
Well here is my 2 cents worth on the Tremec. I have had mine about 2 years now, and it is the biggest piece of crap that I could have ever bought for my Mustang. I had the same problems you do, except that it would not allow me to get into 3rd or 4th. It's almost like I had a 3 speed (1st, 2nd, and 5th.) It did this for about 6 months and finally straightened out. Sometimes it would work falwlessly and other times I never wanted to drive the car. I went as far as pulling the tranny back out, putting in a new cluth and a new shifter, only to find out that others have been having the same problems as I was. I'd say ditch the tranny and go with a T-5Z or something else. I will NEVER again in my life buy a Tremec tranny. I know this doesn't help much, but at least you are not the only one who has had problems with their tranny's.

Chris

LX XLR8R · 03-13-2002, 12:26 PM

sounds like a clutch adjustment to me..and yes you are to use syncormesh with a 3550

drudis · 03-13-2002, 02:58 PM

No, Tremec has a consistency problem...

Two brand new transes, and one can be good and one can be bad right form the factory!

I got lucky with my TKO, and shifts notchy (yeah its a TKO), but otherwise it works quite well in both up/down shifts on a roadcourse.

shovelnose · 03-13-2002, 05:20 PM

It sounds like clutch adjustment. Fix fast so you don't destroy anything. Try tightening the cable some.

302 LX Eric · 03-14-2002, 10:31 AM

Any update? Was it the clutch cable or something else? I'm curious.

E

bigredstang · 03-14-2002, 03:38 PM

Ok, now I am worried. I had the people I bought the tranny from give me Redline MTL for my Tremec. It has only been in it for couple of hundred miles but....It looks like ATF-red and thin.

Anyway, my Tremec shifts hard also, especially when cold-below 35 or so. When the fluid gets a little warmer it helps but it still sometimes really has to be foreced into first. I have adjusted the clutch (Centerforce Dual Friction) and it has made no difference. I think its just the way the Tremec is......

Greg

shovelnose · 03-14-2002, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigredstang
Ok, now I am worried. I had the people I bought the tranny from give me Redline MTL for my Tremec. It has only been in it for couple of hundred miles but....It looks like ATF-red and thin.

Greg

I've run Redline for 2 seasons with no issues. IMO I used ATF/MTF combo for breakin as the redline is expensive. I am however going to try Syncromesh this year. Don't worry about the redline.

rob90gt · 03-14-2002, 10:07 PM

Sorry guys but I never got a chance to look at it but I think I remember the last time I adjusted it there wasn't much adjustment left so I believe my cable is just about shot. Can I just get a new cable or do I have to get new cble/qdrt. assembly?Also I have heard that the redline oil will be fine too. Thanks alot for your opinions guys. By the way I will let yall know as soon as I get under there which will probably be over the weekend.p.s. someone told me I could stick some washers on the cable to get some adjustment. What do yall think of this?

LX XLR8R · 03-15-2002, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rob90gt
.p.s. someone told me I could stick some washers on the cable to get some adjustment. What do yall think of this?

desprite times calll for despriate measures..the only reason i can see that it would be that out of wack is either the clutch is toated or the cable huopsing got burn on the header..take a look

03-12-2002, 06:18 PM	#1
rob90gt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: luling, la, usa Posts: 83	tremec hard as hell to shift About a week ago my tremec became really hard to shift! Mainly it is when I'm just taking off in first, but it is also hard to find third sometimes. Say if I'm backing out the driveway to go from reverse to first I have to use two hands to push the shifter in. Other than that it doesn't grind or anything so I haven't adjusted my clutch. Do y'all think it is time for a new clutch?Both the tranny and zoom heavy duty clutch have about 5000 miles on them. Also if I get a new clutch will I need a new adj. cable? I have one from steeda with the same mileage on it. Thanks guys for some opinions.

03-12-2002, 06:22 PM	#2
Mike_W Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sterling Hgts, MI, U.S. Posts: 64	Excuse me for asking the obvious. You used ATF did'nt you? __________________ 90LX, AOD - Lentech Strip term. VB, PI Stallion & the Hammer, Vortech V2-SQ, AFM powerpipe, Holley Intake, Twisted Wedge Stage1, X-303, Chrome Cobra r's, Mark 8 fan & 3G alt. 12.0 @ 121 old T-5 time 450 rwhp & 400 rwtq w/T-5 11.8@119 2003 AOD time

03-12-2002, 06:34 PM	#3
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	Lol, I sure hope so....It seems funny that you have to put ATF in a manual tranny when I first got my car I thought the guy at the parts store was crazy for telling me that. Later, __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

03-12-2002, 10:27 PM	#6
andy669 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Moline Il Posts: 901	GM Synchromesh looks nothing like ATF. I would suspect a stretched cable or worn disc. andy __________________ 88 coupe 91 LX NMRA Pure Street 5120

03-13-2002, 07:21 AM	#8
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Well here is my 2 cents worth on the Tremec. I have had mine about 2 years now, and it is the biggest piece of crap that I could have ever bought for my Mustang. I had the same problems you do, except that it would not allow me to get into 3rd or 4th. It's almost like I had a 3 speed (1st, 2nd, and 5th.) It did this for about 6 months and finally straightened out. Sometimes it would work falwlessly and other times I never wanted to drive the car. I went as far as pulling the tranny back out, putting in a new cluth and a new shifter, only to find out that others have been having the same problems as I was. I'd say ditch the tranny and go with a T-5Z or something else. I will NEVER again in my life buy a Tremec tranny. I know this doesn't help much, but at least you are not the only one who has had problems with their tranny's. Chris __________________ 1987 LX, Best times: 13.47 @ 102.49, 1.80 60ft 6900' DA

03-12-2002, 06:59 PM	#4
rob90gt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: luling, la, usa Posts: 83	ATF? I was always told to use gm synchromesh which seem to work fine as I've already changed it twice and the tranny was smooth as silk so far, it just seems like it has gotten worse the last week or 2. Thanks alot guys keep em comin. By the way I may be tryin ATF next what brand?

03-12-2002, 07:23 PM	#5
Mike_W Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Sterling Hgts, MI, U.S. Posts: 64	Actually, Tremec recomends the GM synchromesh, which is ATF. Check to see if the dust boot is interferring with the shifter, maybe something fell in there.

03-12-2002, 11:39 PM	#7
1BAD89 Tubbed and Juiced Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,861	Are you hard on the clutch, drag race alot? Because the Zoom heavy duty clutch is not the toughest clutch in the world.....my vote goes for new clutch and adj. clutch cable.(that is what I would check first.)

03-13-2002, 12:26 PM	#10
LX XLR8R Dirk Diggler Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: SLOATSBURG, NY Posts: 1,931	sounds like a clutch adjustment to me..and yes you are to use syncormesh with a 3550 __________________ 95 undecided cubes, AFR 185s,undecided cam, undecided intake, and a 150 hit 89 "turbonotch" 2.3T You might want to hold on..i saw this on a cartoon once

03-13-2002, 02:58 PM	#11
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	No, Tremec has a consistency problem... Two brand new transes, and one can be good and one can be bad right form the factory! I got lucky with my TKO, and shifts notchy (yeah its a TKO), but otherwise it works quite well in both up/down shifts on a roadcourse. __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com Last edited by drudis; 03-14-2002 at 10:38 AM..

03-13-2002, 05:20 PM	#12
shovelnose Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 234	It sounds like clutch adjustment. Fix fast so you don't destroy anything. Try tightening the cable some. __________________ 82 Mercury Capri 302, Comp. Cams, Tremec 3550, 3.73's, 12.8@106 N/A Kevin's Capri Kevin's Mustang

03-14-2002, 10:31 AM	#13
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	Any update? Was it the clutch cable or something else? I'm curious. E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

03-14-2002, 03:38 PM	#14
bigredstang Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: lincoln, NE Posts: 80	Ok, now I am worried. I had the people I bought the tranny from give me Redline MTL for my Tremec. It has only been in it for couple of hundred miles but....It looks like ATF-red and thin. Anyway, my Tremec shifts hard also, especially when cold-below 35 or so. When the fluid gets a little warmer it helps but it still sometimes really has to be foreced into first. I have adjusted the clutch (Centerforce Dual Friction) and it has made no difference. I think its just the way the Tremec is...... Greg

03-14-2002, 10:07 PM	#16
rob90gt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: luling, la, usa Posts: 83	Sorry guys but I never got a chance to look at it but I think I remember the last time I adjusted it there wasn't much adjustment left so I believe my cable is just about shot. Can I just get a new cable or do I have to get new cble/qdrt. assembly?Also I have heard that the redline oil will be fine too. Thanks alot for your opinions guys. By the way I will let yall know as soon as I get under there which will probably be over the weekend.p.s. someone told me I could stick some washers on the cable to get some adjustment. What do yall think of this?

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