1986 930 - Won't go into reverse

[Cavu930]

Hello folks, long time first time post/problem - Recently came home and car won't go into reverse and the shifter felt pretty sloppy so after much reading and searches I took the counsel out (thanks to many learning here) and found this broken bushing, would this prevent me from finding reverse? Otherwise car shifts OK in the other 4.

Also from many threads here and pics I noticed there is nothing in the cradle in my shift box like I see from some other pics?

Appreciate any help!

1986 930 4 speed

Tnx Paul

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Hi Paul - take a look at the link below, it should help you troubleshoot. Which bushing are you referring to? Are you able to post a photo?

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/37-Shifting_Improvements/37-Shifting_Improvements.htm

[Cavu930]

Whoops, thought I had posted photo's, will try again.

Thanks!

[Cavu930]

Shift box pic with nothing in the cradle...

Thanks have read through that thread and probably 2 hours more of reading, just not sure about why I can't get into reverse.

[KTL]

Yes that bushing forces the sideways movement of the shifter to become rotational movement. Without the bushing in place, the main shift tube can't sufficiently rotate the transmission shift shaft at the coupler.

[Cavu930]

Thank you KTL!!

Will get some parts ordered. Saw various bushings (mind is numb) and there were different colored ones as well ones that looked OEM, any recommendation on a specific suggestion?

And I'm guessing I'll have to get an allen wrench in there to take the receiver head off, yes?

[Flat6pac]

4 mm

[KTL]

Sorry for the late reply. Yep that receiver cup on the end of the shifter tube has to come off. You may find that it's a bear to wiggle off the shaft because it's a pretty tight fit.

Regarding the colors (white, black, or blue) they're all going to be a tight fit. The bushing doesn't just easily pop into the bushing bracket. Read the reviews for the OEM white bushing

https://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/0812/POR_0812_TSHIFT_pg2.htm#item6

And check out the tech article

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/37-Shifting_Improvements/37-Shifting_Improvements.htm

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_shifting_improvements/911_shifting_improvements.htm

[Cavu930]

Thanks KTL, a big thanks! Ordered the part and after several hours got it all back together and now shifts as prescribed.

And for all, great forum and will carry on lurking...

[MTN930]

Resurrecting this thread for some advice.

Just replaced the two bushings in the shifter (ball cup and shift rod tunnel) and the two in the shift rod coupling behind the front seats. Much improved shifting through all gears (1-4) w/ all sloppiness gone.

The problem is that the shifter/car can't engage into reverse - no matter how hard I push the shifter to the left in hoping that it'll travel up and to the left into reverse.

1986 911 Turbo w/ 3.L and 930 4-speed transmission.

Thanks for the assistance on this.

[ducatiroger]

Sounds like the rear coupling needs to be adjusted. I suspect you should loosen the rear clamp and slightly move the shift lever to the left/driver and then retighten the clamp. My experience is this is a fine adjustment. Move the shift lever a small amount (mm not cm), retighten and give it go. I recently performed the same maintenance and was surprised how much of an improvement this can make to shift action.

[john walker's workshop]

Possible bent reverse shift fork. I had a bodybuilder customer bend his. It's just a steel lever that pivots in the center. Kinda weak.

[MTN930]

@ducatiroger - thanks for the guidance. It's kind of what I was thinking but needed another brain on it before diving into that activity. I'll give that a shot this afternoon.

@johnwalker - boy, I hope that's not the case as I'm no where near a bodybuilder in strength. We'll see. If it is bent, what's the fix?

Thanks to all for help/guidance.

===========================

Update a few hours later: The issue was the shift rod coupling in the rear, behind the seats, that needed proper alignment. Once that was done, reverse reappeared! Took the car for a spin and it shifts like new. Thanks to all for the assistance here. Really appreciated.