G-50 transmission gear shifter loose

[Dkennel]

GRRRRRRR!!!!

Finally have my a/c working, now my gearshifter is acting up.
Suddenly it clunks and feels loose when I shift in neutral, shifting itself in gears is fine and transmission is o.k. it is somewhere in the gearshifter mechanism. This is a 87 Carrera 3.2, so we are dealing with the g-50 transmission. From what I can find on the board one of my bushings is gone? How do I fix this? Does the Bentley manual cover this? What are the parts I am looking at and where do I order them, can't find them from Pelican Parts.
It annoys me a lot how it clanks when I shift, but is it safe to drive like this?

I'd appreciate any help/advice and links to previous threads if appropriate.

Thanks!

[curiousone940]

If your shifter is loose/wobbly (I've heard it called "cat-tailing"), then your shift bushings are probably shot. Order the Shift Bushing Kit from our host ($23)....it's an easy DIY job and you'll be back in business on short order. If this is the problem, it wont hurt to drive it in the interim...just a little annoying.

[Dkennel]

The shift bushing kit I find is only up to 1986 (915), mine is an 87 with g-50, which parts do I need to fix the shifter?

[Dkennel]

looking at the Bentley diagram on page 340-11 I suspect part "12". Can anybody confirm that? What is the part number on this? Is it really an easy DIY ?

[curiousone940]

According to my Porsche katalog CD, the same part numbers are used for the 2 main shifter bushings from 1984 through 1989 (915 as well as the G50 transmission). Porsche refers to these as the Friction Ring (PN 914-424-224-00) and the Ball Socket (PN 911-424-139-00). Talk with Pelican about this, but it looks like it's all the same for these years.

P.S. there is a tech article on shifter bushing replacement in the Tech Article section of this website.

[Dkennel]

In my Bentley manual the shifter mechanisms are completely different for 915 and G-50...

[Oh Haha]

I just checked the Pelican catalog as well as a couple other catalogs. They all list the same two bushings up to 1989 for both the G-50 and 915 trannys.
Can somebody post the Bentley diagram here? I only have the SC version.

[curiousone940]

I am looking at the same page of Bentley's you are referring to.....part "12" is what Porsche calls the Friction Bushing.....this is included in our hosts Shift Bushing Kit. Yes, the 915 and G50 shifters are different but these 2 bushings (according to the official Porsche parts katalog AND to the best of my recollection) are identical. This is not an overly difficult job for a DIY...

[Oh Haha]

Thanks for the backup, M.
As stated above, this is an easy afternoon fix for the average DIY'er. Just order the parts and read the manual.
Be warned, you WILL wnat to make more upgrades and it is a very slippery slope once you get started. We'll be glad to help spend you money, though. You know, as your Porsche buddies.

[Dkennel]

Well guys, just pulled everything apart and the "#12" (Bentley diagram) shift rod bearing is shot. I could pull the shifter out without loosening the shift rod behind the front seats. It seems I will need to loosen it for re-installing???? Can't order my replacement bushing until Monday...(Saturday). The parts look completely different on the diagrams starting in 87 and I cannot find a similar bushing in the pre-87 diagram. I'd appreciate any clarification on this. Are there upgraded Weltmeister bushings? Anybody used these?
I took some pictures of the disassembly and could write it all up, anybody interested?

[1972_911T]

The bushings and the shift mechanism on the G50 tranny are completly different to the 915. The 915 shift coupling bushings will not work.

This is the G50 mech



Item 16a and 10 in the pic are the shift bushings on the G50 setup, if you think its the shift bearing thats item 3 put the PN into the pelican search and im sure it will come up.

Steve

[Dkennel]

I just finished my test-drive. Everything is back in place. Used the opportunity to vacuum my carpets and clean the interior.
Gearshifter is back in place and nice and tight.
The culprit was indeed the shift rod bushing, part #950-424-224-03-OEM. It was kind of a pain replacing it, especially getting the shift rod back in, you just have to move it in the right direction to re-insert it, but of course it was all worth it in the end!
I took some pictures if anybody is interested.
Thanks for all the help and advice! The new bushing sits very tight and was just $4.00 plus shipping! Took me probably about an hour to two to get it all reassembled, the shift rod was a real pain! anyhow....
Thanks again, this forum is the BEST!!!

[dshepp806]

I'd like to see those pics,..right about now with all that's going on..

Thanks!

[1988targa]

Originally Posted by Dkennel

looking at the Bentley diagram on page 340-11 I suspect part "12". Can anybody confirm that? What is the part number on this? Is it really an easy DIY ?

If you cut across the end of the plastic bushing with a hacksaw it slides in easier. I made two cuts to divide the end in equal quarters. I had to undo the linkage under the panel floorboard between the seats. Make sure you mark position on the bushing when taking out as up or down. I ruined the first one trying to tap it in. Saw a similar bushing on a volkswagen that was crosscut. This lets it spread out without damaging the lip that holds it in place.