manual ION shifters

I am thrilled with my new Ecotec engine! My manual '07 ION.3 2.2L has a
great clutch, but the shifter feels like absolute sh*t, cheap, caca,
etc...it feels like I am forcing it into gear and it goes with all the
smoothness of operating a forklift lever.

I have noticed on used IONs that the shifter "breaks in" after awhile, how
long have you guys had you manual ION before the shifter became a 'little"
smoother?

If I do ever wear it out after warranty, I will probably change it out for a
better shifter, any ideas and what can I expect to spend?

 

I have an '03 Ion Manual & sometimes the shifter doesnt want to
comply,starting out in 1st I have to really SHOVE IT into that
postion,I too,wonder if theres a lube for easier shifting.My previous
4 vehicles were all manuals,the only way to drive.

 

My '05 Quad Coupe exhibits the same behavior getting it into 1st. I'd
assumed it might be a lazy clutch foot not depressing the clutch fully
but I try.

Nature of the beast I suspect.

Rick

 

Yea, 1st does require the clutch to be floored or it will resist. I do
notice that the slower I move the shift lever, the easier it will go thru
the gate. Faster shifting is anything but eloquent. I'm slowly getting used
to it, hard to resist downshifting though Compared to my old 1.9
automatic, the ecotec loves being revved and accelerates 0-60 and 50-80 with
little effort.....whoa, cool.

 

I just hit 50y.o. & I find myself hitting the clutch up & down before
a completed shift.

 

Sounds like a case of Shiftus Interruptus to me.

 

More like Jamii Grindus,hey,I'm in a hurry!.

 

Is there a way of lubing the shifter under the interior for smoother
operation?.

 

I noticed a similar "problem" with my 2000 SL2. I was thinking that there
was something needing lubrication. However, I think that the transmission
just works that way. From the Technical Service Bulletin for Manual
Transmissions:

"To reduce shift effort, do not attempt to rush the shift - allow the
synchronizers to work as designed. Shifting harder will only increase the
chance of rushing past the synchronizer leading to grinding while
shifting."

I think that explains it all. I briefly ran through the diagnostic check
just to be sure. I feel more comfortable now that the issue is mostly
normal. Here is a brief outline of what I checked:

1. Initial Conditions: Parking brake engaged, car in neutral, engine
running (in that order )
2. Attempt to gently shift car into reverse until a brief light grinding is
encounterd (gently)
3. Depress clutch and try to shift into reverse if any grinding is
encountered the clutch is not fully disengaging (this checked out on mine)
4. With transmission in neutral, release clutch then depress clutch and
attempt to shift into 1st (I noticed this was difficult, however when I
moved it slowly it went into gear)
5. Keeping clutch depressed, shift into other gears (mine went right into
gear with no problems)

The issue in my case has nothing to do with the linkages or the shifter. The
TSB mentions this as being normal for many cars...

Check this on yours to see if you have the same results.

Mike

 

Yeah ,but you shouldn't have to hold the clutch peddle down for more
than 4-5 seconds.Mine usually shifts aok,maybe it was the humidity
effecting it this summer.

 

I agree that it shouldn't take a few seconds to shift gears. When I checked
mine, I was able to determine that the difficulty shifting was not due to
the shifter or the linkages. I was able to determine that since it was not
difficult to shift if I held the clutch in while shifting through all of
the gears. If it gets to the point where during normal driving conditions
it takes more than a second or so to shift gears, I will looking more at a
synchronizer issue, rather than a shifter issue.

Mike