My ZF5 likes to grind into reverse. Typically it happens when I'm trying to back into a parking spot. I'll come to a stop, press the clutch, shift to neutral, hold the clutch for a second or so, then try to shift into reverse. Probably close to half the time, it grinds. I end up having to release the clutch, and press it again. Then it normally works.

What's going on? Is that normal? Most other manuals I've driven, I can shift into reverse when I'm still rolling to a stop.

And good Lord is it embarrassing in a parking lot full of people

 

Bearings is the problem

 

What bearings?

 

My truck does the same thing m. I'm not sure if this will work with zf5s but whenever he goes into reverse he shifts up into 5th gear then down to reverse. I haven't been able to try it as my transmission isn't in my truck yet I was hoping a good clutch and slave cylinder would limit the grinding

 

Thanks for the tip, Cdavis. I'll give it a shot.

 

I'm not sure if it works in our trucks but it works in his 1988 camaro.... Just figured I'd throw it out there

 

Yeah mine grinds also. Usually if I'm rolling forward I can. Pop it right into reverse. Sometimes I'll have to pump the clutch 3 or 4 times andit slides right in

 

Tell me if the 5th before reserve thing works

 

i always shifted from a forward gear to reverse when i had the ZF to eliminate grinding.
it did not matter what forward gear i was in, as long as it was in a forward gear when i came to a stop.

 

The bearings in the transmission

 

Thanks for the tip, Tom. Cdavis, I'll let you know this afternoon if it helps.

 

Any luck on the grinding issues?

 

You may think it's going in reverse, but the trans may be "confused"...........................noise is very common for the ZF5, but some options:

(1) Clutch adjustment is off or the rod is worn (check under dash)
(2) The reverse lockout tab might be mis-aligned, even missing (happens frequently when the cover is pulled)
(3) "Over-fill" fluid via the shifter during maintenance (this also seems to help with the neutral "chatter" issue common to the ZF5)

 

Well, I had to get a u-joint replaced before I could test it.

I tried shifting directly from second to reverse, it started grinding on me. Shifting from fifth straight down was a no go, it wouldn't drop into reverse until I moved it back into neutral between 3 & 4.

I don't remember if I left it in gear until I came to a stop or not. I'll have to try again and make sure I do that.

 

I grab 4th then reverse makes mine slide in easy