I got a big problem with my Z. I just bought it 2 months ago and has treated me fairly well aside from some skipped at turns. Upon my explantion, you guys mostly pointed to it being my differential possibly being welded from previous owner and it was going bad. Anyway, last night on my way home from work. I took the freeway and I noticed that my gears felt off. When i was passing someone, going from 5th gear to 6th didnt feel right, as if it didnt full slot into gear. So instead of continuing, i threw it in neutral and coasted to my next exit. Fast forward to today, on my way back home, i took the streets. I concluded that 2nd, 4th, and 6th (the bottom row of gears) all feel really off and feels like they don't slot it all the way. Eventually on my route home, I couldnt throw it into 2nd gear at all. It kept popping out when trying to accelerate. I even tried to roll from 2nd and that didnt work either. After trying out all the gears, 4th and 6th just don't seem to slot in and feel like they will also pop out. This is rather odd because I have never had any trouble with any gears up until last night. I believe my diff is going out, but could that be causing this? Is it a bad trans? Clutch? I have yet to perform any maintenance or check trans fluid and diff fluid bc I had let my friend borrow my low pro jack and haven't gotten it back. Can someone throw some knowledge my way. Im really hoping it isn't the trans as im a broke college student

 

Look for any number of threads here covering “shifter alignment”. Sounds a lot like yours needs one.

Best thing is if this your issue, won’t cost a thing if you’re handy with DIY repairs.

 

You dont know how relieved that made me (assuming thats my issue)
Does this sound like my issue? It just happened abruptly. The alignment doesnt seem that bad.

 

There's also the possibility of the tranny or diff was low on lubricant. They each use different types of lubricants (GL-4 and GL-5, respectively), so be sure to check them when you get back your jack. Be sure to use jack stands before you crawl under there. If you've NEVER checked on this before you bought this Z, it's a critical you do it ASAP.

 

Just to make sure i understand, lubricate for the physical tranny? Not like tranny fluid or diff fluid? If so, i haven't check it before so I am unfamiliar

 

Correct- the tranny fluid is a GL-4 lubricant and has to be checked manually .There's plenty of threads on how to DIY this and the diff level. How many miles are on your Z? Was there any particular reason you were so confident the last owner kept up the maintenance?

 

Good question. The car was super clean, zero issues at first which is why i assumed. Im not entirely sure why i assumed that. Im going to attempt the shifter adjustment since thats about the only thing i can do without my jack

 

I cannot thank you enough for recommending me this. Took only 25 mins of my time and when taking off the lower boot, I realized that all 3 bolts to the shifter plate were loose. After adjusting it, i found the sweet spot for it and now feels better than ever. Buttery smooth, even when i first bought the car, i noticed shifting into 5th gear was difficult. It wasnt all the way to the right and up as most cars are. It was a tough window. Not anymore. Thank you so much for the help everyone! Now to check my fluids

 

You’re welcome! Glad that worked out for you!

And thanks for closing the loop on that. Others benefit from knowing that a particular fix worked.