How do I adjust the shift linkage? - No Reverse

[cvrrally]

Hi All,
I changed the clutch and flywheel as per the directions in the 101projects and the Bently manual. Once it was all together last night I had a hard time getting it into reverse and now it won't go at all. Apparently I need to adjust the linkage and I thought that was the part under the console but so far this morning that didn't help.

How do I make the necessary adjustments? Thanks!
Chris

[Wayne 962]

There is a shift cable alignment tool, you can see it referred to in the short shift project, or here on the web: Pelican Technical Article: Installing a Boxster Short Shift Kit (SSK) and Replacing Boxster Shift Bushings - 986 / 987

Sounds like the cables are just slightly out of alignment. Congrats on your successful clutch job too (and subsequent savings of thousands of dollars!).

-Wayne

[coreseller]

You might want to get under the car and make sure the shifter cables are seated correctly into the brackets mounted on the passenger side of the transmission. If they do not seat in correctly letting the retaining clamps "snap" back into place they can pop out of place, I had this problem after I did my clutch job.

[cvrrally]

Thanks! I didn't see it mentioned there but I'll look again. I suspect I just need to loosen the bolt at the transmission to re-align the cable. I will say I would use a small transmission jack next time around as lining up and mating the transmission to the engine took me an hour.

Thanks,
Chris

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by cvrrally

Thanks! I didn't see it mentioned there but I'll look again. I suspect I just need to loosen the bolt at the transmission to re-align the cable. I will say I would use a small transmission jack next time around as lining up and mating the transmission to the engine took me an hour.

Thanks,
Chris

It's good to have two people for this task. Otherwise you're using your feet and hands a lot!

The plastic bushings on the end of the cables may be worn, or the clips may be broken. This was the case on our 996 project car. We ended up using zip ties to hold the cables in place. Inelegant, but it worked quite well...

-Wayne

[cvrrally]

I got to play with it for about a half hour this morning. I disconnected the cables at the shifter end and made an adjustment at the transmission end. I am able to get it into reverse this way but when I re-connected the cables at the shifter I had no reverse again. Tonight I'll have more time to try to get it right.

Chris

EDIT: I wonder one thing...how far in is the rubber stop supposed to be? I wonder if it got bet during removal. Currently it resides right at the end of the stop. It isn't east to tell but I think from some of the pics it is further in. This could be why I'm having issues.

[Garrytw]

Hi cvrally,
Found this little tool you might be interested in on Ebay, not sure it will cure your problem, but I'm sure it couldn't hurt.
Porsche 997/987 Adjustment tool for the Shift Cable - eBay (item 300532754268 end time Apr-02-11 10:33:29 PDT)