Help! gearstick/shifter loose, 996 turbo

[zithlord]

While driving my 996 turbo 2003 model today, I was starting the car as usual in first gear, and was shifting to second gear when the shifter suddenly felt loose, with no resistance when moving in between first and second gear. It was stuck in first gear, and it is not possible to shift the shifter sideway like you do to move the stick to the right to go from second to third or forth gear. I took of the leather "bag" and trim ring and looked down at the gear shifter assembly. The shifter is attached to some plastic pieces and has a metal bolt that holds it in position. What I suspect is that a connection below the assembly that is not visible, at the end of the metal shifter rod (at the bottom end of the shifter rod) has a cable or link rod that has come loose. I tried to loosen the trim plates on the side of the console to have a look under the shifter assembly, but that did not help the visibility. Is there a easy way to fix this or do I have to drive the car in first gear all the way to the Porsche shop?

[DavidI]

Zithlord, this BBS is mostly frequented by owners of older Porsches. To get an informed response, you may want to try Rennlist and post the question there.

Who knows though? There are many very experienced individuals on the BBS who may have the answer.

Good luck, David

[Europa Auto]

It's the gear shift linkage bushings that propably broke off, or the shift rod coupling. Replace bushings and or coupling and should be back on the road.