Trans shifting issues
 

I purchased my 1988 930 last year. When I purchased the car I noticed the shifter was really sloppy. I replaced two bushings at the shifter in front and the coupler bushings with delron ones from our host. That helped a little. The shifter travel is extremely far from 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 4th. It seemed to be getting progressively worse and some times would pop out of gear. The shift into 3rd never felt really positive. I spent a lot of time trying to adjust the coupler into the sweet spot that would be just right giving enough through from 1st/3rd to 2nd/4th. I could never quite hit the sweet spot.

I decided to replace the shifter with a wevo unit, hoping that it maybe the stock shifter was not performing correctly. That didn't make a difference. In fact the wevo had less travel than the stock unit causing it to pop out of gear easier than it did with the stock unit.

Hayden at Wind rush/ Wevo was very helpful with his product support. As we went through the process of elimination:

All new shifter bushings check
new coupler bushings check
correct installation of the wevo unit check
correct adjustment of the coupler check

He mentioned the fulcrum fork could have come loose and that could be the cause of my shifting issue.

Can anyone on this forum offer ideas of what the issue could be from a similar experience?
The only other issue I can imagine is a loose sift fork??

Anyone that could chime in and offer advice on diagnosing the issue would be much appreciated!

Sounds like you've replaced everything in the shifter linkage so next step is draining the oil and remove the inspection plate on the bottom and have a look. The fulcrum fork is attached to the inside of that aluminum plate you remove with nuts on studs. They can come loose and shifting will get progressively sloppier until the shifter doesn't do anything.
If it's popping out of gear under power thats really bad for the engagement teeth on the synchro slider and dog teeth on the gearset they engage with.. They are expensive to replace and your's probably need it now. You'll know if it continues to pop out of gear after getting the shift linkage in order.

Thank you for your input! I will be opening and inspecting the next chance I get. Hopefully I won't find a bunch of parts falling out of the drain plug hole while draining the oil.

I think I have inaccurately described the popping out of gear part of my post. The only reason it feels like it is popping out of gear is because it never fully engages. I'm hoping it's a loose fulcrum plate. I know the syncros could be replaced, but I'm hoping to get some more drive time before pulling the trans and rebuilding.

There's really no way to work around a proper rebuild. You've checked and adjusted the obvious. Seems the transmission was sloppy when you got it, so it may be time to consider going into it before something major happens, especially if you have more power from the engine. Mine was in the same state, so I went into it and did a total rebuild. Now it shifts fantastically. It's not that expensive if you do the work yourself.

Does yours grind a bit if quick shifting into 2nd?
Mine occasionally does that, I chalked it up to a worn synchro.

It's looking like I'll be going that direction soon. I really wanted to enjoy it for the remainder of the summer.

It grinds a little going into 3rd if I don't shift it slowly. It's looking like the inevitable rebuild.:(

Any recommendation on a good trans builder in San Diego?

If you live in North County, you might try Joe Vampola at European Motorsports in Vista (joe@europeanmotorsports.org). He's always got several 911s in his shop, and has a racing history himself in his younger years. He rebuilt my 915 out of a '79 SC about 10 years ago and I haven't had any problems. Reasonable and honest.

Another shop you might get an estimate from is 101 European Automotive on 101 in Solana Beach (101 European – Auto Repair and Service Located in Solana Beach on Hwy 101 | 101 European Automotive). Owner's name is Phil. Be sure you speak with him directly, as he has the most experience. I haven't had tranny work done there, but lots of other miscellaneous repairs and upgrades that I wish I had time (and the skill!) to do myself. Always quality work.

If you are farther south, there's Dieters downtown at Dieters BMW Porsche Mini Cooper Repair San Diego. I've never had work done there, but when I was PCA member some years ago, they were always active in hosting repair seminars and such. Struck me as a knowledgeable and friendly group.

Good luck.

Thanks for the referrals, I know Joe not sure why I didn’t think of him?

I’ll give him a call when I’m ready.

Thanks again!

Kelly

I drained the oil and removed the inspection cover. The shift rod fork was loose. I removed the mounting studs on the inspection cover that secure the fork and cleaned them. Then I reinstalled them with lock tight. I re-installed plate back on and pumped new oil in the gear box.

Now the car shifts great and does not grind gears between shifts. Now I’m hoping to go for a little while longer before a trans rebuild.

BTW, the magnet on the drain plug had very little stuck to it (only metallic dust).

Thanks for all the replies and help!

Time to go enjoy!

Kelly

boy this might be a shot in the dark but you might make sure that the actual shifter is seated in the ball that connects to the linkage that goes back to the coupler. what you are explaining is what i experienced last winter. THe shifter is held in place by a pin that goes through the middle of it and then down below on the tunnel it has a round metal end that slips into that plastic joint inside the linkage. I have no ideas how it did this but mine pulled up and out and it felt really sloppy, could barely shift. just had to re seat it. you never know?

Thank you for your input! The problem ended up being the fulcrum fork coming loose in the Trans.