Tremec TKO 600 shifting problems

[Lon SPF 2798]

Thanks guys for all of the comments.

I do have the standard SPF set up except I do have an adjustable clutch slave activation rod.

Most people that I have talked to conclude that if the clutch were the problem, I would be having trouble shifting into all the gears, and that I would hear grinding sounds. I have no trouble getting to 2nd, 4th or Reverse and no grinding sounds. It feels like there is just no gate to shift into 3rd.

I have tried removing the boot and there is no external restriction on the shifter movement. I have the original TREMEC shifter.

I changed tranny oil on the recommendation of a transmission technician from TEXACO Mercon to the GM Synchromesh oil PN 12345???. The tranny shifts noticeably smoother when it does shift, but still hangs up occassionally.


I have found that when I have the problem going into 3rd, if I shift back to 2nd or 4th and then back to 3rd without letting the clutch out that it usually will not go into gear. However, if I shift back to 2nd or 4th and let the clutch out, then reengage clutch it will usually go into 3rd. Is this a clue I wonder.


I do have Quicktime Blow proof bell housing. How can this be adjusted? How can it effect the shifting? Why would this problem start after 2300 miles.

Thanks again
Lon SPF 2798

[TomR]

Lon,

You got my PM and the link to the web page describing 3rd gear problems I had and fixed with my TKO600? It is an almost idential setup with the Quicktime bell but I have a cable clutch linkage.

Tom

[Johan Ras]

Tom,
Can you please forward me the link aswell,as i have the same problem as Lon.
ThankYou.

[TomR]

Originally Posted by Johan Ras

Tom,
Can you please forward me the link aswell,as i have the same problem as Lon.
ThankYou.

This may help. I'll try to get some picture up someday of the transmission internals.

http://www.w8ji.com/tko_600_shifting_problems.htm


Tom

[rj8806]

Did you dial in the bell housing? What was you runout numbers?

Typically, hard to get into 1st gear points to a clutch issue while hard to get into 3rd usually points to driver error. Now, before you guys jump on me for saying that, consider this.....
The gates on the TKO are very close together. When shifting from 2nd into 3rd, if you move the shifter up at an angle trying to "guide it" into 3rd, you will likely miss it every time. Try throwing the shifter STRAIGHT out of 2nd and it will find 3rd on all it's own.

When did you buy this gearbox? There were some issues with the shift lugs back in the summer of '05 that Tremec has since cleared up.


By the way....The only 2 fluids that have approved for use the TKO are either ATF Dexron III or GM Syncromesh 12345349.





Richard
Tech Support
Tremec TKO, T45 & T56 Transmission Systems

[Blittleton]

I totally agree with RJ, going from 2nd to 3rd is nothing more than pushing the shifter lever forward and it will go right in. Many of the Demo's that I do with customers, they must be thinking of their Hot Rod or the 69 camaro and you had to physically put the lever into 3rd gear. Typically if you have a shorter lever, I find it more difficult to change gears, the longer levers that our Backdraft's have, make for a really nice shift. I belive that there is a kit from some of the suppliers of TKO that have different sychro's. I'm not 100% on that.

Bill

[TomR]

Originally Posted by Blittleton

I totally agree with RJ, going from 2nd to 3rd is nothing more than pushing the shifter lever forward and it will go right in. Many of the Demo's that I do with customers, they must be thinking of their Hot Rod or the 69 camaro and you had to physically put the lever into 3rd gear. Typically if you have a shorter lever, I find it more difficult to change gears, the longer levers that our Backdraft's have, make for a really nice shift. I belive that there is a kit from some of the suppliers of TKO that have different sychro's. I'm not 100% on that.

Bill

First, the feel while shifting slow is entirely different from the feel while shifting fast under acceleration. My transmission felt very good and was easy to shift while granny-shifting.

It could be we are talking about two different cases.

Respectfully, I disagree with the long shifter totally Bill for faster shifting. It argues against what many people say the problem is, the operator guiding the shifter.

A short shifter is much more difficult for the operator to guide, the springs and gates in the transmission have much more control when the shifter is short. As the lever is made longer, any driver push error (to the sides) has a larger and larger effect at the gate.

If I had a shifting system that required the gate to be controlled by internal springs (like the TKO 600), I would use a short lever. This would give the springs in the transmission more control compared to pressure errors made by the operator.

As a matter of fact Liberty's actually told me to never use a long lever on the TKO-600. They said to use the shortest handle possible, and to use a ball. Fortunately that's what I already do. :-)

Tom

[ekrupa2]

About 4500 miles on my TKO 600. No shifting issues at all. I have had the standard Cobra shifter and recently switched to the Jordan shifter (shorter throw). Both feel great. A few things I made sure of after reading about the TKO on this forum - the hole I made in the tunnel is centered above the shifter, I always use 3rd when I park and shut down, always shift to second before reverse. The only time I have had any issues was when my clutch slave wasnt adjusted properly. Hopefully this trend continues but maybe by me posting I have jinxed myself.

[TomR]

Originally Posted by rj8806

Did you dial in the bell housing? What was you runout numbers?

The runout numbers were withing the error that could be caused by surface irregularities in the bellhousing hole, so they were not a factor.

T

ypically, hard to get into 1st gear points to a clutch issue while hard to get into 3rd usually points to driver error. Now, before you guys jump on me for saying that, consider this.....
The gates on the TKO are very close together. When shifting from 2nd into 3rd, if you move the shifter up at an angle trying to "guide it" into 3rd, you will likely miss it every time. Try throwing the shifter STRAIGHT out of 2nd and it will find 3rd on all it's own.

That may be true, but I have a history of being able to shift almost anything that can be shifted. I'm well aware of all the different methods of pushing the level, and this transmission had real issues going into third.

When did you buy this gearbox? There were some issues with the shift lugs back in the summer of '05 that Tremec has since cleared up

.

I bought the transmission about a month ago, and it was fresh inventory.

I tried to post a link to my summary of what I went through but it was not accepted. Bottom line is I pulled the case apart, and sent the shifting forks and shifting rail system up to Liberty's Gears in Michigan. They did not modify anything other than the shifting rails and dogs and one shift fork.

With NO OTHER CHANGES in the system I re-installed the parts, and now I never miss when I shift. I can shift at 7000, i can point and push, i can let it fall in, and it never misses.

There is no doubt at all Tremec has not fixed the "non-problem" that can be found mentioned all over Internet in all of the transmissions, because my transmission was clearly the problem with the shift rail issues that Liberty's Gears claims they see in over 100 transmissions a year. Since what they did fixed mine, I now believe the "nearly 100% correction" rate for bad shifting they claimed is probably true.

It's my understanding they weld up and re-shape some parts, increase some spring pressures, and do a few other mods. Had I listened to the shop Tremec sent me to I would have spent over a thousand dollars changing parts that made no sense. The absolute proof is, with no other changes, it works now. It also only cost about $200 to fix, since I tore the transmission down myself.

They really should fix the problem, or at least pay for the repairs.

Tom