Adjusting shift coupler linkage, how much play?

I just installed a factory short shift kit, and am having a hard time with the linkage adjustment. The Haynes and Bentley books both say after adjusting, shift into 5th and check the coupler for free-play. In my mind, the term "free-play" means is should visibly move with little effort.

I spent about an hour playing with it, trying to get it adjusted properly. If I got it set so it would go smoothly into every gear, there didn't seem to be much play in the coupler. If I grabbed it in my fist, I could feel it wiggle a very little bit, but not much. If I got it so there was visible play in 5th, it wouldn't go into 1st and 2nd very well.

How much play is needed? Is there a trick to getting this right?

Tom

Tom,

I have also had problems with this "5th gear rotational play" Try as I might, I cannot get it and I really don't see how you can.

Once you are in the 5th gear gate, the springback mechanism in the shifter holds it very tightly between the metal holder and the spring pressure. There is no way that it could move laterally unless the spring or metal holding piece were removed.
I did, one time, loosen the coupler when in 5th and then there was play at the coupler, so I guess thats what you want?

Not sure. Im still fiddling with mine. My next step is to crack open the cover on the tranny and inspect the shift forks, etc.

Hope this helps.
Nick.

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Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe

Tom,


Did you install new ball cup, shift rod, and coupler bushings prior to the short-shift kit?

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I replaced all the bushings, for the ball cup, the shift rod just behind the shifter, and the 2 in the coupler. There is very little play in the linkage with the new bushings.

What I eventually did was to put shift into 5th, and then loosen the coupling to see exactly how much it would move with no linkage attached. It had about 1mm of play, with out the spring in the shift tower to overcome. I put it in the middle of it's movement range, and tightened it back up. It moves into all gears freely, and will move more in 5th than before.

I guess I will leave it alone for now, it seems to be working.

Tom

[This message has been edited by emcon5 (edited 01-21-2001).]