shifts easy than hard ;)

chamilun · 10-05-2009, 07:11 PM

So I've been messing around adjusting the shift coupler. Up a bit, back a bit, left, right, just to see what everything does.

Whats weird is it can shift pretty well into each gear, but a few seconds later be difficult to get into gear, especially into 3rd or from 4th to third. I have recently changed bushings and tranny mounts.

What else could be causing this? I checked the shift fork and it is in perfect shape and screwed down well.

any help much appreciated.
thanks

Wyvern · Wyvern's Garage

Are your coupler bushings good ?
and the bushing on the shaft .. way up front .
The shifter also has a "cup" bushing on the bottom of the shifter.

I had a similar issue ... and changed all of those and it was better.
Could live with it.

Then I did the Trans mount bushings ... not really tracking down this issue and it is now GREAT

Bottom line it seems that you have play somewhere.

ruby911 · ruby911's Garage

Mine ('84, 915) does the same thing. I have all new bushings, so that is not the issue. I know that the 'cup' attached to the end of the shift rod that holds the cup bushing is loose, so trying to figure out how to fix that is my next step, then I will go after engine and tranny mounts. Let me know if you find something different that fixes yours.

chamilun · 10-06-2009, 05:22 AM

Yeah,
changing the shift coupler bushings got a lot of slack out of the shifter itself. The new tranny mounts did nothing but transmit a lot more noise. I almost want the old ones back

I think it has something to do with where the whole assembly ends up, meaning right off the transmission. I may try and post a pic, but the 4" end piece there just looks a bit bent with too much slop. Maybe someone with more experience and technical experience can chime in (please, please)

thanks

mpetry · mpetry's Garage

Assuming the coupler is good and the front transmission mounts are solid is to then look at the front of the shift rod and replace the ball cup and shift rod bushing.

The ball is easy - it just snaps right on there. The other bushing is harder - you have to soak it in boiling water. It captures the shift rod and it is probably 30+ years old. Part #56 in the picture below. Seldom gets replaced.

Make sure you've got the little screw (#60) well secured. Older ones had safety wire, the later ones are a little conical screw with a nylock insert.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA

ruby911 · ruby911's Garage

to clarify my point above based on that diagram...my 58 is loose on my 59.