DIY: Removing V6 Camaro centering springs - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CamaroJoe96 · 06-23-2013, 11:06 PM

When installing your new shifter into your V6 Camaro (Mine was a Hurst short throw for instance) You will run into this side note in your directions:
"On V6 Camaros, it will be necessary to remove the centering springs in order to drop the stock shifter."

At least with Hurst, their directions are "This is done by flexing them free..."
Well thanks....

That is useless....

When installing my shifter, I got to the point where I had to drop my shifter, but obviously couldn't do it because of the springs... After reading the vague direction for the process a million times, I was lost... So no big deal, just go on C5 and search for this topic, which has to be quite common... well.... Needless to say directions on this topic are quite sparse

So after a frustrating ordeal, I had to put everything back to stock because I couldn't figure it out and my car is my DD... frustrating and discouraging especially when one is a beginner like me

I called hurst and after waiting 2 days for Frank, the "specialist" to call me back, all he told me was that I have to remove the inner dust boot to reveal these springs, and it was as simple as just "pulling it up and jiggling it free."
Of course that didn't work as planned, and I felt the only way I could get the boot off was to cut it out, which is a no no... (Lol I didn't do it)
So off again I went, scouring the forums, and taking a different approach this time. I looked up every "How To" on the subject (best was courtesy of TagUrIt ) and began messaging every V6 owner inquiring how they accomplished the task... 95% of them told me that you HAVE to remove the dust boot, and some said that it's best to cut holes in it to remove the springs... All of their time they took to reply to me was MUCH appreciated, but then one member I asked told me the easy was to do it, without removing the dust boot. I'd like to thank an awesome V6 owner who is no stranger in the V6 world, UCantCME, for supplying me with the best input.

He told me that what you have to do is wedge your finger in between the upper part of the dust boot (The cylinder hose like piece that runs up the shaft of the shifter) and stretch the top of it towards either 6 o clock or 12 o clock, and by doing so, you will reveal 1 of the bolts of the springs. If you stretch it far enough, you can have it grab on the back side of the bolt so that you don't have to hold it while you unbolt it. Once you remove the bolt, you can pull the spring straight upwards and remove it, and then continue with the other spring. Now those blasted things are out!

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO INSTALL THESE BACK IN, AS I'M SURE IT WILL BE A PITA... THE SHIFTER OPERATES FINE WITHOUT THEM, AND I WOULDN'T WASTE THE TIME IF I WERE YOU OF REINSTALLING THEM. But to each their own, if you want to, go for it!
I made this post because no one else covered the topic to a good enough extent in my book, so I hope one day some poor bastard like I myself did will fall into this problem, and will be able to use this thread as a reference. I love my Hurst shifter, and am Happy I put it in!
Now go get em!

45thCamaro · 07-26-2013, 06:57 PM

Wow, you would think hurst would jus show this. I'm glad you posted it up for everyone to see it, I hope this gets stickied in the DIY section. This will definitely help a lot of people. Good job to you and UcantCme.

Wish I would have seen this weeks ago. And hurst's technical guy never called me back. At least someone spoke to you over there.

Ssgt · 12-25-2013, 10:46 AM

great thread

Vikas2k · 04-21-2014, 01:30 PM

The springs were a pia, but thanks to this thread, I was able to remove them.

I definitely want the springs back. Can someone suggest how to put these back in? Any special tricks?

FastGirl · 09-23-2015, 09:47 PM

THANK YOU!!! this saved me today!…I almost got one of the springs back in just reversing the way I got out, but lost patience as I needed to just get done…I may attempt another day, but will see how the Barton is without the springs 1st :-) thank you again.

Black Knight · 10-06-2015, 11:09 PM

Now that it's been awhile , How do you all feel without the spring?

CamaroJoe96 · 11-27-2015, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Knight

Now that it's been awhile , How do you all feel without the spring?

It's been well over two years since I removed my springs, and everything is still working just how it should! The gear lever still returns back to "center" on its own, so if you're reading this and debating whether you should put them back in or not, my suggestion would be to just leave them out!

I really appreciate the replies everyone! Can't even tell you how good it makes me feel to see that this post is still helping everyone out!

mwiteck01@gmail.com · 07-10-2016, 01:30 AM

Again years later it still is. Thanks again

06-23-2013, 11:06 PM	#1
CamaroJoe96 Drives: 2013 Full Bolt on LFX M6 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Chicago,Illinois Posts: 417	DIY: Removing V6 Camaro centering springs When installing your new shifter into your V6 Camaro (Mine was a Hurst short throw for instance) You will run into this side note in your directions: "On V6 Camaros, it will be necessary to remove the centering springs in order to drop the stock shifter." At least with Hurst, their directions are "This is done by flexing them free..." Well thanks.... That is useless.... When installing my shifter, I got to the point where I had to drop my shifter, but obviously couldn't do it because of the springs... After reading the vague direction for the process a million times, I was lost... So no big deal, just go on C5 and search for this topic, which has to be quite common... well.... Needless to say directions on this topic are quite sparse So after a frustrating ordeal, I had to put everything back to stock because I couldn't figure it out and my car is my DD... frustrating and discouraging especially when one is a beginner like me I called hurst and after waiting 2 days for Frank, the "specialist" to call me back, all he told me was that I have to remove the inner dust boot to reveal these springs, and it was as simple as just "pulling it up and jiggling it free." Of course that didn't work as planned, and I felt the only way I could get the boot off was to cut it out, which is a no no... (Lol I didn't do it) So off again I went, scouring the forums, and taking a different approach this time. I looked up every "How To" on the subject (best was courtesy of TagUrIt ) and began messaging every V6 owner inquiring how they accomplished the task... 95% of them told me that you HAVE to remove the dust boot, and some said that it's best to cut holes in it to remove the springs... All of their time they took to reply to me was MUCH appreciated, but then one member I asked told me the easy was to do it, without removing the dust boot. I'd like to thank an awesome V6 owner who is no stranger in the V6 world, UCantCME, for supplying me with the best input. He told me that what you have to do is wedge your finger in between the upper part of the dust boot (The cylinder hose like piece that runs up the shaft of the shifter) and stretch the top of it towards either 6 o clock or 12 o clock, and by doing so, you will reveal 1 of the bolts of the springs. If you stretch it far enough, you can have it grab on the back side of the bolt so that you don't have to hold it while you unbolt it. Once you remove the bolt, you can pull the spring straight upwards and remove it, and then continue with the other spring. Now those blasted things are out! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO INSTALL THESE BACK IN, AS I'M SURE IT WILL BE A PITA... THE SHIFTER OPERATES FINE WITHOUT THEM, AND I WOULDN'T WASTE THE TIME IF I WERE YOU OF REINSTALLING THEM. But to each their own, if you want to, go for it! I made this post because no one else covered the topic to a good enough extent in my book, so I hope one day some poor bastard like I myself did will fall into this problem, and will be able to use this thread as a reference. I love my Hurst shifter, and am Happy I put it in! Now go get em! __________________

10-06-2015, 11:09 PM	#6
Black Knight Drives: Supercharged LLT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,437	Now that it's been awhile , How do you all feel without the spring? __________________ CLICK IMG FOR BUIlD THREAD

07-10-2016, 01:30 AM	#8
mwiteck01@gmail.com Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 128 View My Garage	Again years later it still is. Thanks again __________________

07-26-2013, 06:57 PM	#2
45thCamaro Drives: 2012 Camaro 45th Anniversary RS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New York Posts: 2,418	Wow, you would think hurst would jus show this. I'm glad you posted it up for everyone to see it, I hope this gets stickied in the DIY section. This will definitely help a lot of people. Good job to you and UcantCme. Wish I would have seen this weeks ago. And hurst's technical guy never called me back. At least someone spoke to you over there.

12-25-2013, 10:46 AM	#3
Ssgt Drives: 2014 1LS Ashen Gray Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: United States Posts: 61	great thread

04-21-2014, 01:30 PM	#4
Vikas2k Drives: '12 Camaro LS V6 6MT, '09 CX9 GT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: GTA Posts: 269	The springs were a pia, but thanks to this thread, I was able to remove them. I definitely want the springs back. Can someone suggest how to put these back in? Any special tricks?

09-23-2015, 09:47 PM	#5
FastGirl Drives: 2013 2LT/RS Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Budd Lake, NJ Posts: 129 View My Garage	THANK YOU!!! this saved me today!…I almost got one of the springs back in just reversing the way I got out, but lost patience as I needed to just get done…I may attempt another day, but will see how the Barton is without the springs 1st :-) thank you again.