TR3160 hard to get reverse/loose

Seacloud · 11-02-2025, 05:00 PM

Hi everyone, first post here but I’ve been reading for a long time. In the last month or so, I noticed extreme slop in my manual shifting. In gear I could basically touch either side of the center console. Reverse was so bad that it started cutting my boot between the lever and plastic trim.

I have since purchased the Full Metal Bearings, and even purchased a Hurst short throw shifter. Me and my dad spent yesterday installing both of these, and it has helped significantly. My slop is almost all gone, maybe an inch of play in gear, and everything feels tight when shifting. Reverse is still oddly hard to get in to.

Today I went and purchased some Dot3 fluid since reading the manual and thinking that could be it, mine was right above the MIN line anyway. After filling that up it seems to have helped a little, but I still have trouble getting over to reverse. The other side of the linkage that clips right to the bottom of the new hurst does not have a bearing, and it also seemed kind of loose when we were taking it apart. I 3d printed little bread clip style spacers and put one on today and that helped with the rest of the slop, but what do you know, reverse is still hard.

I’ve had this car around 7 years so I’m confident in saying it’s harder than it should be. My neighbor who owns a shop suggested I look at doing the transmission fluid next, but I figured I’d see if anyone else here has any ideas. Thanks in advance

bishopts · 11-02-2025, 06:15 PM

Kinda sounds like the shift fork pads might be worn on the reverse shift fork.
Try shifting it with the engine off to see if it feels different. If you do notice a difference then it could be a clutch disengagement issue.
Also try pumping the pedal like 4 times full travel, then go into reverse. If it seems easier then something is wrong with the hydraulics.

I have a tr6060 and I'm pretty sure i have a slight disengagement issue with mine. When i go into gear with the clutch to the floor i can feel the gear engagement and it makes my car slightly lurch forward.
Originally i thought it was just a new disc but i kinda have a feeling i need to shim my slave cylinder.

Seacloud · 11-02-2025, 06:20 PM

Yeah it feels the same with the car off too. Wonder if there’s an easy way to get inside.. haha

bishopts · 11-02-2025, 07:29 PM

I built a t56 not long ago. It wasn't too hard. Just have to have the correct shifter orientation when reassembling. But i dunno about the tr3160. Or the tr6060

WyreTheWolf · 11-09-2025, 11:15 PM

https://creative-steel.com/shop/cadi...fter-bushings/

These work great on the TR3160

Shifts are nice and tight again, before these the shift level would hit the plastic housing around the shift boot.

11-02-2025, 05:00 PM	#1
Seacloud Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Nov 2025 Location: Maryland Posts: 2	TR3160 hard to get reverse/loose Hi everyone, first post here but I’ve been reading for a long time. In the last month or so, I noticed extreme slop in my manual shifting. In gear I could basically touch either side of the center console. Reverse was so bad that it started cutting my boot between the lever and plastic trim. I have since purchased the Full Metal Bearings, and even purchased a Hurst short throw shifter. Me and my dad spent yesterday installing both of these, and it has helped significantly. My slop is almost all gone, maybe an inch of play in gear, and everything feels tight when shifting. Reverse is still oddly hard to get in to. Today I went and purchased some Dot3 fluid since reading the manual and thinking that could be it, mine was right above the MIN line anyway. After filling that up it seems to have helped a little, but I still have trouble getting over to reverse. The other side of the linkage that clips right to the bottom of the new hurst does not have a bearing, and it also seemed kind of loose when we were taking it apart. I 3d printed little bread clip style spacers and put one on today and that helped with the rest of the slop, but what do you know, reverse is still hard. I’ve had this car around 7 years so I’m confident in saying it’s harder than it should be. My neighbor who owns a shop suggested I look at doing the transmission fluid next, but I figured I’d see if anyone else here has any ideas. Thanks in advance

11-02-2025, 06:15 PM	#2
bishopts Drives: 2017 2ss 6mt Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: dallas Posts: 944	Kinda sounds like the shift fork pads might be worn on the reverse shift fork. Try shifting it with the engine off to see if it feels different. If you do notice a difference then it could be a clutch disengagement issue. Also try pumping the pedal like 4 times full travel, then go into reverse. If it seems easier then something is wrong with the hydraulics. I have a tr6060 and I'm pretty sure i have a slight disengagement issue with mine. When i go into gear with the clutch to the floor i can feel the gear engagement and it makes my car slightly lurch forward. Originally i thought it was just a new disc but i kinda have a feeling i need to shim my slave cylinder.

11-02-2025, 06:20 PM	#3
Seacloud Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Nov 2025 Location: Maryland Posts: 2	Yeah it feels the same with the car off too. Wonder if there’s an easy way to get inside.. haha

11-02-2025, 07:29 PM	#4
bishopts Drives: 2017 2ss 6mt Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: dallas Posts: 944	I built a t56 not long ago. It wasn't too hard. Just have to have the correct shifter orientation when reassembling. But i dunno about the tr3160. Or the tr6060

11-09-2025, 11:15 PM	#5
WyreTheWolf Drives: Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Ozark Mountains Posts: 20	https://creative-steel.com/shop/cadi...fter-bushings/ These work great on the TR3160 Shifts are nice and tight again, before these the shift level would hit the plastic housing around the shift boot.

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