915 Shifter rotates left to right

da Vinci Dan · 05-08-2010, 07:01 AM

As I was driving last week I noticed it was tough to get into third and fifth accurately. I noticed that the shift lever was no longer in its normal orientation - having rotated in the housing clockwise about 45*.

I removed the boot, grabbed a pipe wrench and twisted int back to the correct spot.

However, now it is really loose and rotates freely especially when trying to get into fifth.

I have the Porsche factory short shift kit that was installed by the PO. I can not see anything to tighten.

Do I need to replace, re-weld?

dicklague · dicklague's Garage

I had the same thing happen to me just a couple of days after installing the factory shift kit. The tubular lever is brazed into the lower portion of the mechanism. The factory brazing lets go. I understand from Dave at TRE that this happens with some frequency.

I took the shifter out and mig welded it. That was 3 years ago.

I feel the brazing is just not strong enough for the twisting motion the shifter is subject to.

Anyone installing a new factory short shifter should weld the shaft before installation.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Most likely need to weld it or try some JB weld.
The stock shifters are, I believe, epoxy'd in place.
The factory short shift may be also.

csmab · 05-08-2010, 08:10 AM

You need to weld it. Same thing happened to me. The factory glues the shifter in place.

CSMAB

mppickett · 05-08-2010, 06:01 PM

Ditto here on having to weld the factory short shifter.

brads911sc · brads911sc's Garage

JB Weld worked fine for me.

da Vinci Dan · 05-09-2010, 05:19 AM

Where did you place the JB weld? Were you able to remove the shifter from the area where it is rotating?

Todd Simpson · 05-09-2010, 05:57 AM

Now that I know a local welder, I'd weld it, but my JB Weld fix has lasted a few years now.

I pulled the shifter assembly out of the car, then disassembled the shiny pivot piece from the actual lever. There was evidence of glue already in there. Sand and clean everything, coat both with JB and jam it back in there.

brads911sc · brads911sc's Garage

Yes. I rotated it until it came out. Then sanded it and the hole, cleaned it. coated the end of the shaft and the hole with JB and put in place. Let it sit over night. No issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by da Vinci Dan

Where did you place the JB weld? Were you able to remove the shifter from the area where it is rotating?

runfaster · 07:02 AM

Take the time and take it to a welder and be done with it. You have to take it out regardless, just stop by a weld shop and have them weld it up. Probably take the five minutes.