T56 grinding in al gears

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Aug 4, 2025 | 05:56 AM
  #1  
So i just finnished my auto to t56 swap and its grinding in al gears expecially when i downshift. Almost impossible to get from 3th to 2th and impossible to get in first, i have to almost stand still to get it in.
When at stand still i can shift it smoothly in al gears without grinding so i dont think its a clutch problem but probably the syncro's right? I have third gen pedals with 4th gen hydraulics.
Dont know anything about the transmission but that its from a 95 camaro and bought it from ebay...
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Aug 4, 2025 | 07:25 AM
  #2  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote:
i dont think its a clutch problem
Start thinking that then. It's a clutch problem.

Quote:
​​​​​​​probably the syncro's right?
Really?? ALL 7 OF THEM???

No.

It's a clutch problem.

What did you put in the crank; a pilot bushing, or a bearing?
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Aug 4, 2025 | 07:53 AM
  #3  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: Start thinking that then. It's a clutch problem.



Really?? ALL 7 OF THEM???

No.

It's a clutch problem.

What did you put in the crank; a pilot bushing, or a bearing?
The pilot bushing that came with the clutch kit.
I assumed it was the syncro's because its an ebay transmission that came from a wrecking yard seller
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Aug 4, 2025 | 08:07 AM
  #4  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Hydraulics bled really well and new?
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Aug 4, 2025 | 08:13 AM
  #5  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: Hydraulics bled really well and new?
Brand new pre bled 4th gen hydraulics
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Aug 4, 2025 | 08:14 AM
  #6  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Did you measure and install/shim the slave cylinder correctly? I agree with Sofa. Sounds like clutch is not disengaging correctly.
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Aug 4, 2025 | 08:34 AM
  #7  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
OP, you said it's from a '95, so assuming you are using a pull-type clutch with an external slave cylinder. There aren't any shims for the slave/throwout bearing on that style, so don't worry about that.

Sounds like a clutch disengagement/dragging issue. With the car stopped and running, clutch in, hard to get into 1st or reverse from neutral but easy if the engine is off, it's a clutch issue. A few things to check:

-Is the little plastic cap on the end of the slave cylinder push rod in place? Sometimes that mistakenly gets discarded when installing a new slave cylinder
-Are you using 4th gen pedals? The clutch master cylinder connection point on the clutch pedal is different between 3rd and 4th gen.
-What clutch are you using?

I'm using a '95 T56 in my '89, rebuilt by Tick Performance and using a Spec Stage 1 clutch. I was having similar issues with clutch disengagement. I talked to Tick and they said that the Spec clutches typically require a little more travel than the stock 4th gen hydraulics can do and they recommended using their adjustable master cylinder. I did that and the problem went away.
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Aug 4, 2025 | 08:44 AM
  #8  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: OP, you said it's from a '95, so assuming you are using a pull-type clutch with an external slave cylinder. There aren't any shims for the slave/throwout bearing on that style, so don't worry about that.

Sounds like a clutch disengagement/dragging issue. With the car stopped and running, clutch in, hard to get into 1st or reverse from neutral but easy if the engine is off, it's a clutch issue. A few things to check:

-Is the little plastic cap on the end of the slave cylinder push rod in place? Sometimes that mistakenly gets discarded when installing a new slave cylinder
-Are you using 4th gen pedals? The clutch master cylinder connection point on the clutch pedal is different between 3rd and 4th gen.
-What clutch are you using?

I'm using a '95 T56 in my '89, rebuilt by Tick Performance and using a Spec Stage 1 clutch. I was having similar issues with clutch disengagement. I talked to Tick and they said that the Spec clutches typically require a little more travel than the stock 4th gen hydraulics can do and they recommended using their adjustable master cylinder. I did that and the problem went away.
No with the car stopped and running its easy to go in al gears its only when im driving that the grinding occurs (only driven a few test miles).
Plastic cap is in place.
3th gen pedals.
Stock lt1 clutch from perfection (rockauto)
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Aug 4, 2025 | 08:44 AM
  #9  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: OP, you said it's from a '95, so assuming you are using a pull-type clutch with an external slave cylinder. There aren't any shims for the slave/throwout bearing on that style, so don't worry about that.
You are correct. Completely forgot about the early T56. Thanks for the correction.
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Aug 4, 2025 | 08:53 AM
  #10  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: No with the car stopped and running its easy to go in al gears its only when im driving that the grinding occurs (only driven a few test miles).
Plastic cap is in place.
3th gen pedals.
Stock lt1 clutch from perfection (rockauto)
OK. Try putting in 1st and reverse with the rear end up on jackstands, engine running, no brakes. Rear tires shouldn't turn. If all of that checks out, then there may very well be internal transmission issues.
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Aug 4, 2025 | 09:00 AM
  #11  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: OK. Try putting in 1st and reverse with the rear end up on jackstands, engine running, no brakes. Rear tires shouldn't turn. If all of that checks out, then there may very well be internal transmission issues.
Ok will check that, thanks
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Aug 4, 2025 | 06:51 PM
  #12  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
eBrake off, Level ground, shifter in 1st gear, pedal down partway,
Can you set the pedal where it doesn't move forward, without putting it to the floor?
And if it to the floor, what happens?

Next time you loosen the slave, inspect the pressure plate for grinding.
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Aug 6, 2025 | 09:23 AM
  #13  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: OK. Try putting in 1st and reverse with the rear end up on jackstands, engine running, no brakes. Rear tires shouldn't turn. If all of that checks out, then there may very well be internal transmission issues.
Well i tested that and the rear tires dont turn.
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Aug 6, 2025 | 09:27 AM
  #14  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: eBrake off, Level ground, shifter in 1st gear, pedal down partway,
Can you set the pedal where it doesn't move forward, without putting it to the floor?
And if it to the floor, what happens?

Next time you loosen the slave, inspect the pressure plate for grinding.
At 1/4 travel it doesnt move anymore, if i put it to the floor no difference, inspected the pressure plate and no marks of grinding
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Aug 6, 2025 | 01:57 PM
  #15  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: Well i tested that and the rear tires dont turn.
OK, then I think you have ruled out the clutch. It sounds like there are internal issues within the transmission.
Reply 1
Aug 7, 2025 | 12:07 PM
  #16  
Re: T56 grinding in al gears
Quote: At 1/4 travel it doesnt move anymore, if i put it to the floor no difference, inspected the pressure plate and no marks of grinding
your clutch is working as the synchro can match speeds of maindrive (input)/ gearset and synchro hub at 0mph.

What a synchro cannot do is mesh speed of a mainshaft (output)/driveline/rear with the maindrive at speed. So your input/output have a probable interference situation. Too much bearing preload can cause this. The T56 bearing set is robust and does not commonly just "wear out and need replacement." Yours warrant cone/cup inspection, a re-set of bearing preload/endplay (the original Borg Warner manual or early 90s GM Helms 4th gen service manual specs.) at a mimimum, plus overall internal inspection.
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