Clutch Linkage Question

[Firehawk734]

Anyone know if the Clutch Linkage is all internal on the 2002 Trans AM or if its external?

I may be having a small problem in 3rd gear and might need it adjusted. Anyone know whats involved for that? 10 min job or what?

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

Re: Clutch Linkage Question

Originally posted by Firehawk734
Anyone know if the Clutch Linkage is all internal on the 2002 Trans AM or if its external?

I may be having a small problem in 3rd gear and might need it adjusted. Anyone know whats involved for that? 10 min job or what?

Hello again, lol...

A problem with 3rd gear, as in you were driving it hard, shifted it hard into third... only to see the shifter firmly in gear, but the transmission act like it is still in neutral?

Common with the factory shifter. It bends shift forks in the transmission -- not good to repeat.

If that isn't the issue, then nevermind, lol...

[Injuneer]

Re: Clutch Linkage Question

Originally posted by Firehawk734
Anyone know if the Clutch Linkage is all internal on the 2002 Trans AM or if its external?

I may be having a small problem in 3rd gear and might need it adjusted. Anyone know whats involved for that? 10 min job or what?

Do you really mean "clutch" linkage, or are you thinking of adjusting the "shift" linkage?

In either case, you are SOL..... the shift linkage is an internal rail mechanism, and requires disassembly of the tranny. The clutch has no "linkage", per se. There's a master hydraulic cylinder connected to the pedal, a braided line to the slave cylinder, which is mounted to the front cover of the tranny, concentric with the input shaft, and pushes forward, directly against the T/O bearing.

[Firehawk734]

Here is the problem...

Its pretty minor, for now, but i dont want it to worsen. I also do NOT want to take it to those damn hack job dealer mechanics, who dont know sh*t.

Lets say I am driving down a road, accelerating, and I go to shift from first or second, into third gear (it doesnt matter what gear i am in before i shift to third), If i keep the clutch pushed in, and i change the gear to third, and let go of the shifter, then if i hit any kind of bump at all, the shifter will fall back to neutral.

Thats one thing. Another is that SOMETIMES, not all the time, but just sometimes, ill shift up to third, and when i release the clutch, it misses the gear and kicks it back out to neutral. That is the problem. Ive heard that i might just need to adjust the "clutch linkage" i believe they said.

But anyways, I have heard some real good mechanics are on here so im curious. Thanks for any help.

I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO FIX unless i ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO! Ive had trouble with dealer mechanics in the past and ill be damned if they are going to F up this car.

Thanks.

[tabahr]

It really sounds to me like a problem with a shift fork. It is under warranty, right? Let the dealer fix it. Keep in mind, dealers do not *fix* transmissions, they *replace* them.

If they are just dropping and replacing the trans, they will not have a chance to screw up too badly. Give them a chance.

[Firehawk734]

Originally posted by tabahr
It really sounds to me like a problem with a shift fork. It is under warranty, right? Let the dealer fix it. Keep in mind, dealers do not *fix* transmissions, they *replace* them.

If they are just dropping and replacing the trans, they will not have a chance to screw up too badly. Give them a chance.

LOL, ive given dealer mechanics PLENTY of chances to fix my car in the past (not this one), and they never were able to fix A DAMN THING! It either stayed the same or got worse. I do not trust them whatsoever.

My friend's 99 Camaro , they WORKED On the transmission, they didnt replace it. He had all kinds of things much more severe going on than I did. He even tried chewing the hell out of it to get a new one put in, but they didnt replace it, they rebuilt the same one. So, I dont know how true it is that they will replace the tranny just over my problem which seems like a minor thing.

[Firehawk734]

Well, Im gonna probably take it in. Ive been thinkin about this for a couple months now.

Ive talked to my friend who is a pertty good mechanic himsellf, and he also told me that the shift linkage is all internal so they will have to take out the trans and see whats going on if I take it in. But first off, they will have tos ee the problem so ill probably have to request to talk directly to a technician.

Can anyone answer this though: I am extremely worried that they are going to mess my car up. I just have a gut feeling about it. To what extent could they worsen my transmission problem or somethin else by attempting to fix the problem ive described?

[wolfdogs]

Fred knows more about these cars than anyone. and he's right as always.

the one thing that i dont like about the factor shifter is the shift stick sits in a "rubber sink" at the base...this is to dampen vibratinons in accordance with GM's "passenger creature comfort" rules. an aftermarket unit stick bolts straight to the shift lever... this eliminates the "missing third" that many folks experience. the reason for missing third is the "flex" that rubber sink allows when you got to put it in gear...if you dont hit it straight on..its not going all the way.

[Firehawk734]

Originally posted by wolfman
Fred knows more about these cars than anyone. and he's right as always.

the one thing that i dont like about the factor shifter is the shift stick sits in a "rubber sink" at the base...this is to dampen vibratinons in accordance with GM's "passenger creature comfort" rules. an aftermarket unit stick bolts straight to the shift lever... this eliminates the "missing third" that many folks experience. the reason for missing third is the "flex" that rubber sink allows when you got to put it in gear...if you dont hit it straight on..its not going all the way.

So what do you suggest? INjuneer and Wolfman? What do you guys think I should do about this?

Keep in mind, I KNOW NOTHING about cars so bare that in mind if you give a technical response .

I am worried about the dealers trying to fix this, or even SEE IT, because alot of times they never see the problem. And, i do not like dealers touching my cars. They almost never get anything right.

[Firehawk734]

Originally posted by wolfman
Fred knows more about these cars than anyone. and he's right as always.

the one thing that i dont like about the factor shifter is the shift stick sits in a "rubber sink" at the base...this is to dampen vibratinons in accordance with GM's "passenger creature comfort" rules. an aftermarket unit stick bolts straight to the shift lever... this eliminates the "missing third" that many folks experience. the reason for missing third is the "flex" that rubber sink allows when you got to put it in gear...if you dont hit it straight on..its not going all the way.

Also, so you are saying that the missing 3rd gear problem is a very common problem? And that they cant really fix that unless i have someone put a MOD into it? If thats what it is, then thats cool, ill have someone else do it.

But about the fact that it falls out of third gear if i hit any kind of bump on the road (ONLY WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PUSHED IN THO, NOT WHEN I LET IT OUT) , what about that guys? What kind of work would it take to fix that even if a dealer did it? And also, what would be the price if i just paid someone to fix it instead? (I SWEAR, I DO NOT TRUST DEALERS).

[Coop '02Z]

hmmm

Getting the impression (I could be wrong) that you don't like dealers... sorry man couldn't help it.

As far as having someone else do it, no, it is not just a matter of the Short Stick MOD. The shift forks are probably bent in yours already, the short stick will prevent this. You need to get them fixed first then do the improved stick.

Just some more info for you

[Firehawk734]

Re: hmmm

Originally posted by Coop '02Z
Getting the impression (I could be wrong) that you don't like dealers... sorry man couldn't help it.

As far as having someone else do it, no, it is not just a matter of the Short Stick MOD. The shift forks are probably bent in yours already, the short stick will prevent this. You need to get them fixed first then do the improved stick.

Just some more info for you

Well i hvae the short throw linkage or whatever they call it, the hurst shifter, with the short throw linkage i guess. It is from the factory though, i didnt have it changed. Thats not the same?

I guess ill have to take it in then. Im just curious what a shop would charge to repair this. If its cheap enough (i doubt it) id almost rather pay and know im having it done right.

[Coop '02Z]

hmmm

Getting the impression (I could be wrong) that you don't like dealers... sorry man couldn't help it.

As far as having someone else do it, no, it is not just a matter of the Short Stick MOD. The shift forks are probably bent in yours already, the short stick will prevent this. You need to get them fixed first then do the improved stick.

Just some more info for you

[wolfdogs]

basicaly, what coop said.

but here's what i would do:

get Lou Salzaino's short stick. its 50 bucks. (dont have the link handy..somebody here surely does). its an easy install. so maybe somebody that you may hook up with here will do it for ya. took me 20 min.. and thats cause i was fertin around.

then drive it for a while. the tendency is to leave your hand on the shift knob with the short stick anyway... see if she wants to "pop outta gear" for sure.......

if it does. is there another dealer you could go to? you just cant throw your warranty out the window man. call the gm hot line..tell em whats up...and let them direct you to another dealer.

[Firehawk734]

Originally posted by wolfman
basicaly, what coop said.

but here's what i would do:

get Lou Salzaino's short stick. its 50 bucks. (dont have the link handy..somebody here surely does). its an easy install. so maybe somebody that you may hook up with here will do it for ya. took me 20 min.. and thats cause i was fertin around.

then drive it for a while. the tendency is to leave your hand on the shift knob with the short stick anyway... see if she wants to "pop outta gear" for sure.......

if it does. is there another dealer you could go to? you just cant throw your warranty out the window man. call the gm hot line..tell em whats up...and let them direct you to another dealer.

I bought this White 02 trans am from a completely differnet dealer and have not tested their mechanics yet, but when i was taking my old formula around to get it fixed, i went to 3 different dealers and of them fixed the problem. DumbSh*ts. But i am probably going to have to take it in anyway.

I think ill take it in, hopefully they will fix it, and then ill have someone do the mod for me. Maybe JAY 02 WS6 would be so kind, since i think hes the closest to me.