2nd gear grinding
Easier way to unlock the clip.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-guide-43/how-release-shifter-cable-latches-210178/
The unfortunate part of doing this is that now I bump large drinks. I thought a short shifter would help but it only got worse in terms of drink clearance. Oh well.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-guide-43/how-release-shifter-cable-latches-210178/
The unfortunate part of doing this is that now I bump large drinks. I thought a short shifter would help but it only got worse in terms of drink clearance. Oh well.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-06-09
Posts: 928
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield, IL
I havnt been here for a long time.
My bad. Need to get back here more.
Anyway, just wanted to comment as I been lurkin as I always want to be informed on these cars.
Here is a pic of what JUST happened to me after I adjusted the clip to put me at 5.5in from dash.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...nny/IMG092.jpg
Yup....snapped it.
Managed to push it into 3rd by hand and get her home to have it topwed under warranty......ugh
My bad. Need to get back here more.
Anyway, just wanted to comment as I been lurkin as I always want to be informed on these cars.
Here is a pic of what JUST happened to me after I adjusted the clip to put me at 5.5in from dash.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...nny/IMG092.jpg
Yup....snapped it.
Managed to push it into 3rd by hand and get her home to have it topwed under warranty......ugh
New Member
Joined: 08-02-15
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northeast, Ohio
Not to revive a old thread but I just tried this and spent a hour ripping apart my dash and console because the first time I pushed the shifter up the clip fell off the linkage, and finding it and putting it back in the clip is a SOB because there is NO space to work in. Havent taken the car for a drive yet but it seems like it may make a slight difference. So scared though because my hands are HUGE and fiddling with that clip is hard.
New Member
Joined: 11-29-16
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Thank you
Ok guys I'll explain what happened to mine and what I did to fix it. I only had the issue when doing WOT or NLS shifts.
After missing 2nd five times in a row at the track I started investigating, I found it to be a shifter adjustment issue not a syncro issue.
1st question? when you do a 1/2 shift does it feel like the shifter is binding at the back of the shifter gate? I mean it has a feel like the whole shifter is flexing and you miss the shift anyway?. If so here is what is happening. For some reason the shifters are being factory set to almost the back of the shifter gate travel window for second gear. Its not a syncro issue its a shifter adjustment issue. The factory shifter adjustment lock on the shifter seems to position the shifter to far back in the gate once the cables and shift related hardware settles in.
If its out of adjustment it will have a rubbery feel when you NLS to second. When its right its a solid lock with no rubbery feel.
I fixed mine in the pits at the track and never missed second again, neither have I had a missed shift on the street since.
Heres how to fix it.
Remove the cup holder.
put the car in first gear.
reach down and release the lock on the cable on the right hand side. (don't release the one on the left)
gently push the shifter forward until it measures about 4 3/4 to 4 7/8 between the front of the shifter knob and the dash.
Hold it there with one hand and reach down and relock the cable adjuster. (this moves the shifter forward in the gate)
This moves the shifter forward in its gate and gives more throw when shifting into second before the actual shifter mechanism bottoms out at the back of the shifter gate.
If that does not fix it then yes you probably have a syncro problem but 99 percent of the time its a shifter adjustment issue and not a syncro issue.
I will be passing this on to the appropriate engineers.
I am a GM Engineer and my opinions are my own.
After missing 2nd five times in a row at the track I started investigating, I found it to be a shifter adjustment issue not a syncro issue.
1st question? when you do a 1/2 shift does it feel like the shifter is binding at the back of the shifter gate? I mean it has a feel like the whole shifter is flexing and you miss the shift anyway?. If so here is what is happening. For some reason the shifters are being factory set to almost the back of the shifter gate travel window for second gear. Its not a syncro issue its a shifter adjustment issue. The factory shifter adjustment lock on the shifter seems to position the shifter to far back in the gate once the cables and shift related hardware settles in.
If its out of adjustment it will have a rubbery feel when you NLS to second. When its right its a solid lock with no rubbery feel.
I fixed mine in the pits at the track and never missed second again, neither have I had a missed shift on the street since.
Heres how to fix it.
Remove the cup holder.
put the car in first gear.
reach down and release the lock on the cable on the right hand side. (don't release the one on the left)
gently push the shifter forward until it measures about 4 3/4 to 4 7/8 between the front of the shifter knob and the dash.
Hold it there with one hand and reach down and relock the cable adjuster. (this moves the shifter forward in the gate)
This moves the shifter forward in its gate and gives more throw when shifting into second before the actual shifter mechanism bottoms out at the back of the shifter gate.
If that does not fix it then yes you probably have a syncro problem but 99 percent of the time its a shifter adjustment issue and not a syncro issue.
I will be passing this on to the appropriate engineers.
I am a GM Engineer and my opinions are my own.
I just bought my cobalt couple days ago, knowing it grinding into second. Followed your steps and now it engages way easier, but still grinds a little. Could that be from not addressing problem soon enough or could I still tweak the linkage. I'm at 5 1/4 " to dash.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-10-12
Posts: 2,880
Likes: 63
From: Manitoba, Canada
You could of stretched your shifter cables. They're pretty delicate.
New Member
Joined: 11-29-16
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Okay
Okay, if the previous owner forced the car into gear, forced threw the grinding. Could it cause damage to the gear, making it grinds till replaced or rebuilt..?
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Nov 21, 2018 11:11 PM