Something happened to my brother’s 1996 z-28 T-56 manual six-speed transmission, car has 120K on the clock. It has grinding sound in neutral; 5th 6th and reverse gears are gone; 1st 2nd 3rd 4th still work but poorely. The car can be put in 5th, 6th and reverse gears, just when we let go of the clutch nothing happens besides mild grinding sound. Also there is same grinding sound when car is in neutral, and it is a very mild grinding sound. We just spend 6 hours on putting new clutch in and the problem didn't go away. I put in new AutoZone clutch kit, and I changed successfully clutches 3 times before, therefore I am 99.9% sure its not clutch. This is the last item on camaro I haven't tinkered with yet, so I need some advice from people who know something about trannies or had similar problems. Are 5th, 6th and reverse gears somehow related (like being on the same shaft). Is there any reason why those specific gears are out? Is it cheaper to get the tranny rebuild, or try to pick up a working one from ebay (hopefully). How much a rebuild like this would cost.

Sad, I thought T-56's were built very well.

Thanks,
Tomas

Sad, I thought T-56's were built very well.

Thanks,
Tomas

 

Well, assuming it's not the clutch, then I would suggest taking the tranny out and pulling it apart to see what's broken. It would take the guesswork out and give you the least costly option. If a shaft or a gear has damage, you might be better off purchasing a used/reman. one. Also, in a manual tranny for a rwd car, there is an input shaft, a countershaft, and a mainshaft (output). All the gears ride on the mainshaft. I couldn't really tell you what it is since it's not one gear, or all the gears, but I wouldn't rule out the clutch completely, since I remember when I did my tranny swap, I could make it through the gears, but just barely, as the master cylinder had a leak but would hold enough pressure that I could shift if I did it quick. You might want to check those components as well.

Hope that helps some.

 

No, its not clutch. One more thing. We did change tranny fluid, and the old fluid looked very well, there were no metal shavings it. Also, my brother's camaro always had soft clutch pedal. Today after changing the clutch I checked the clutch hydraulic fluid reservoir, and there was barely any fluid on the bottom of the container. Could lack of clutch hydraulic fluid cause such serious problems? I am going to bleed it tomorrow. But I doubt that this is the cause since first through fourth gears still engage after I push the pedal, so there must be enough hydraulics left to operate the clutch. But this is just a guess.

To bad I have no time to pull the tranny out and open it up. I am just trying to see if it’s a tranny problem, and if it is, either to by a used one or to rebuild this one

Thanks

 

Just did some research and found this thread, can someone confirm this

"5th, 6th, and Reverse are on the same shaft, most likely if you lose one of those, you lose them all...."


http://web.camaross.com/forums/showt...rse+sixth+gear

 

All I know is that parts are really expensive inside those T56's. I had to replace reverse gear and synchro and then 3000kms later 3/4 syncro blew apart. If I had to do it again I would buy a totally rebuilt one with the better internals good for 500 hp.

 

I'll be in Champaign(my home town ) this weekend. If you'd like I'd be happy to come over and take a look at it. It sounds like something inside the tranny is definately screwed, but you may get lucky. Where in Champaign/Urbana do you live?

 

izzyz28, I live in Prospect/Springfield intersection, right by the bank. I gave my brother my car so know I am stuck with a motorcycle in December Tranny is out of the car. You are welcome to come and take a look at it, give some advice. Nice to have Champaign as a home town

 

Well I can tell you now the trans is done. Sounds like you may have blown all the bearings..if not a gear. For cheapness, I'd get a rebuilt one, just to be sure it works, unless you get a used one from someone you trust. Low clutch fluid will cause this to happen over time, as you're not fully disengageing the clutch all the time. That's my $.02

Chris

 

Hey, I know right where you're at! I'll be in town Friday night through Sunday afternoon. Maybe we can get together and check it out, though I don't know how much help I'll be. What does your brothers car look like? Maybe I've seen it before. I drive a black 1995 Z-28. You may have seen it around town. Pics are in sig. if you're interested. Let me know if you want to meet up.