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Rough Gear Changes?

9444 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  gtjohn
I've put about 1000 miles on my 2017 GT350, and I still can't seem to get the gearbox to give me consistently smooth (snick-snick) changes from one gear to the other. At first I thought it was just me since its been awhile since I had a stick but now I'm not so sure. Sometimes the gear changes are just fine, but lots of other times it feels overly mechanical, like I'm bumping up against some bare metal as I move the shifter from one gear to the next, especially from 1st to 2nd. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any suggestions?
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1.) Do you still have the clutch assist spring installed?
2.) Does the shift feel different when the trans is hot or cold?

Need more data . . . The shift will get more consistent and smoother as you put on the miles.
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Thanks for your response, GT_Dave. In answer to you questions:
1) Yes, I still have the clutch assist spring installed. Should I consider removing/replacing it?
2) No, the shift feels the same whether hot or cold--it's a hit or miss thing. It seems that if I go very slowly and stop in neutral for a second, I can generally avoid the mechanical sensation but if I go directly from one gear to the other, that's when I'm more likely to feel it.

I do hope it gets more consistent as the miles pile on(and I hope my own consistency improves as well :))
It is possible the uneven transition of the pedal pressure can contribute to your shifting issue. Try removing the clutch assist spring, there are instructions how to remove it that are easy to find in this forum or on the 6G forum. It takes about 30 seconds and is a safe modification that can be put back or add a lighter spring from Steeda if you feel that you need a different feel. Everyone that has removed the spring or done this change agrees that it is a significant improvement in the shifting process.
If this doesn't help, you may need the shifter and/or transmission checked.
Where is the spring and how do you remove? I too find that it's hard sometimes to shift from 1-2 consistently and I've been driving stick for 38 yrs consistantly.
My car is worse when cold, I had the tremec 5 speed in my 06 Saleen and they changed the oil spec and quantity for the same issue.
I've put about 1000 miles on my 2017 GT350, and I still can't seem to get the gearbox to give me consistently smooth (snick-snick) changes from one gear to the other. At first I thought it was just me since its been awhile since I had a stick but now I'm not so sure. Sometimes the gear changes are just fine, but lots of other times it feels overly mechanical, like I'm bumping up against some bare metal as I move the shifter from one gear to the next, especially from 1st to 2nd. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Any suggestions?
Think GT_Dave has a good start on solving this. I have found the shifter to be a bit loose and will be replacing with a MGW shifter that will soon be released for sale. Mine has improved with miles (4800) but still is not as precise as I want.
Thanks GT_Dave for your advice. I guess I don't understand how the clutch spring would affect what happens with the shifter since my problem will happen even when I have the clutch pressed all the way to the floor before starting to shift and then keeping it there until I'm in the next gear. Wouldn't the effect of the spring be neutralized at that point?
My 17 has similar issues. Did you ever find the problem?
Gear changes

Thanks GT_Dave for your advice. I guess I don't understand how the clutch spring would affect what happens with the shifter since my problem will happen even when I have the clutch pressed all the way to the floor before starting to shift and then keeping it there until I'm in the next gear. Wouldn't the effect of the spring be neutralized at that point?
Hi Rich I too am having problems with gear changes. Usually going into 1st it grinds, that never happens in my other cars. I also notice that the transmission is hesitant to go into gear at low RPM but shifts smoothly above 3000 RPM. I think it is part of the design of the Tremec 3160 6 speed. I have complained to both Ford and Tremec and both tole me that nothing is wrong with my car. I think we just need to drive faster. 😎
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Hi Rich I too am having problems with gear changes. Usually going into 1st it grinds, that never happens in my other cars. I also notice that the transmission is hesitant to go into gear at low RPM but shifts smoothly above 3000 RPM. I think it is part of the design of the Tremec 3160 6 speed. I have complained to both Ford and Tremec and both tole me that nothing is wrong with my car. I think we just need to drive faster. 😎
Seconded in regards to RPMs. Night and day difference in shifting with the rpms up. I daily mine, but we can't forget the format for which this car was designed.
i had same problem with my 2018 gt350, thought it was me also have not had a stick in a while, i have put some mods on mine, but when i had the sct gtx tuner installed the very first thing i noticed was how much smoother my shifting was!! my garage called me about an hour after install and ask me how i like it and that was first thing i told them that how much smoother the shifting was, has anyone else had sct gtx tuner installed and noticed this also???
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