I finally brought the SS in two weeks ago to get the third gear synchro problem fixed. I had grave reservations about bringing it in; would the dealer do a good job or would the problems after be worse than the original problem, would they damage the car putting on the lift, would they not have the right parts even though I gave them the TSB and had them order the parts in advance, would it wind up on a joy ride?
Well I am happy to report that none of the above became a problem. They replaced all the parts (third gear, synchro, shift fork) as described in the bulletin and aside from gasket sealer oosing out of the joint at the bell housing, they seem to have done an excellent job. The transmission shifts better than it ever did.
I asked them, while they had it, to replace the transmission and rear axle fluid with synthetic and so that was done also (BTW GM Makes a synthetic for the rear axle so that's what I used). They noticed a slight leak at the pinion seal (I knew about that but it was very slight) so they also replaced that while they were at it.
As for the shifter, I wasn't happy with the stock Hurst so I got the billet+ and installed that this past weekend. It's much more substantial than the stock Hurst ( I'll have pictures later). I know I could have gone for the Pro 5.0 or the B&M but I just wanted to stay with the Hurst brand. I got the black 8 ball knob which I had reservations about until I saw it on Kevin's (RAGGS) car at BG. My report on the shifter is that it is absolutely great to the point where I have to get used to it going into the gears so well. I am used to "finding" third on the upshifts and 5th and 4th on the down shifts but if you just let the shifter work it goes to all the right places. The whole thing feels much more positive and "substantial". Only negative - the Hurst handle is too long (and it is not curved like you see in the various ads, just a slight rearward bend and tilt toward the driver). It's fine for me and I like the Hurst logo on the shaft so for now I'll stick with it (no pun intended). Plus I get to shift to 4th with my hand on the shaft just under the ball like I used to in my old Impala SS with the 4 speed muncie.
Anyway, thanks for listening!
[ 11. October 2002, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: DaddySS ]
Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
You are having just too much fun!
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
Glad to hear that the dealer took great care of your car and fixed the concern correctly. I hear horror stories all the time these days from bad dealer service. I was a good tech at the dealer I worked for but seen way too many hacks thru the years that just did not care at all. Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
...sounds great Rich, ...Like JohnS said, ..."You're having too much fun" ...anybody know where the 'place'(ie. website)is to see these technical service bulletins?? I'd be curious if I should be keeping my eyes peeled for anything...
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by RagSS: ...sounds great Rich, ...Like JohnS said, ..."You're having too much fun" ...anybody know where the 'place'(ie. website)is to see these technical service bulletins?? I'd be curious if I should be keeping my eyes peeled for anything...
I subscribed to "alldata" I think it was $30 for two years. It has the TSBs and parts and service manuals online. http://www.alldata.com/ Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
Two words..................
SHORT STICK
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: Two words..................
SHORT STICK
Yea I know but I like my little Hurst logo. If I get adventurous later I may just try to cut it and re-thread the end.
Posted by chrisL (Member # 97) on :
which dealer?
We get nothing but garbage service up by us from our Chevy dealers every time I take my wife's Z24 convert in for warranty work.
I've been to three so far, all with disappointing results.
Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
Whew...that's gotta be a big sigh of relief. I always get butterflies any time I take my car in for minor stuff. I couldn't imagine how nervous I'd be in your shoes. I'm glad it all came out ok...but you may want to still keep an eye on that pinion seal (and double check to make sure they added the required limited slip additive).
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by chrisL: which dealer?
We get nothing but garbage service up by us from our Chevy dealers every time I take my wife's Z24 convert in for warranty work.
I've been to three so far, all with disappointing results.
Hawthorne Chevrolet, just down the road from me and not too far from you guys.
Posted by MaryandRalph (Member # 244) on :
Glad everything worked out and that you are happy with the dealership. I like the idea of a 8 ball shifter knob. I was thinking of making a shifter knob out of a small pistion,,,,will have to work on that idea for a bit. Post some pictures if you have some time, keep it safe.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by OBSSD: Whew...that's gotta be a big sigh of relief. I always get butterflies any time I take my car in for minor stuff. I couldn't imagine how nervous I'd be in your shoes. I'm glad it all came out ok...but you may want to still keep an eye on that pinion seal (and double check to make sure they added the required limited slip additive).
Yea, I have been putting it off for a long time for that reason. But the one thing that will help most of us here is that when I was talking to the service writer about putting the pads on the lift his response was "We could all see immediately what kind of care you have put into the car, we'll be very careful"
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Finally developed some rolls of film so here's the pictures that I promised (ahem...3months ago!)
[ 14. December 2002, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: DaddySS ]
Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
linky no worky....looks like you were still signed in and posted that link. i tried searching but could not find. Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by DanPazich: linky no worky....looks like you were still signed in and posted that link. i tried searching but could not find.
hmmm...works from my PC...brain check, any suggestions?
Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
probably works for you since it's your account and you're signed in. That's just my guess. I've been know to be wrong a few times. Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
OK, I think I got it, try now.
Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
It works! Looks mighty nice! This is one of my next mods to my car that I will probably attempt to do myself (along with SFC's and STB). I only have the stock shifter. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by USA-1 (Member # 1535) on :
The stock handle and stick should bolt onto the aftermarket housing. That is just to tall for me. Still want to change my shifter.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by USA-1: The stock handle and stick should bolt onto the aftermarket housing. That is just to tall for me. Still want to change my shifter.
Yes, I know but I don't like the slush of the stock shifter and I like the 8 ball knob. The Hurst shaft also has the logo which I would like to keep so I'm going to cut about 1" off and re-thread it.
Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :
What were your symptoms of a bad 3rd gear synchro, if I may ask?
Also, you say "let the shifter do the work" so I'm curious to know how you're shifting. Are you gliding it into 3rd or hammering it?
I've got the factory Hurst with LSS right now, and although I like the shorter stick, the notchiness of the Hurst just feels weird. If I "slide" it into 3rd during a zestful shift session, it goes right in, but when all out slamming them home, sometimes 3rd isn't there and I get the infamous grind.
I've been leaning Pro 5.0 with LSS as a hopeful step up.
Posted by Steve da Wrench (Member # 1301) on :
Hey Daddyss, I hope your car doesnt have the Auburn diff in it, because you CANNOT put synthetic in that diff. Just a heads up! Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by el ess1: What were your symptoms of a bad 3rd gear synchro, if I may ask?
Also, you say "let the shifter do the work" so I'm curious to know how you're shifting. Are you gliding it into 3rd or hammering it?
I've got the factory Hurst with LSS right now, and although I like the shorter stick, the notchiness of the Hurst just feels weird. If I "slide" it into 3rd during a zestful shift session, it goes right in, but when all out slamming them home, sometimes 3rd isn't there and I get the infamous grind.
I've been leaning Pro 5.0 with LSS as a hopeful step up.
The symptoms of the bad synchro were popping out of gear on deceleration and difficult to "throw" it into to third during spirited driving.
When I say let the shifter do the work, I used to have to "find" third if I was taking her through the gears, now I just slide it in the right direction and it goes right in.
The pro 5.0 is an excellent shifter, you'll probably be happy any with of the better ones, B&M, etc.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by Steve da Wrench: Hey Daddyss, I hope your car doesnt have the Auburn diff in it, because you CANNOT put synthetic in that diff. Just a heads up!
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