1973.5 911T 5 speed shifter loose from socket
 

I just purchased a 73.5 911T that I test drove and shifted fine. After transporting the car from out of state from a transport truck, I go to put the car into gear after the driver backs its down and we I come to find the shifter floats freely, not engaging the linkage. So I removed the shift boot and thru the access hole on the passenger side, I can see the 5 speed shifter arm's ball at its bottom of the shaft has come of its 'socket' causing the shifter to float freely.

I have never rebuilt this type shifter nor have had its shaft come free. What would cause it to come loose and what holds the ball in place? What would be the procedure to gain access to it and refasten? I see the top plate for the assembly is held down by two bolts. What is the next step to get the shifter arm back into place and fastened down? I need to take this baby for its maiden voyage! Thanks, Mike.

Sounds like you need to replace the ball cup bushing. This is very simple to do. In fact, you could probably just push the ball end of the lever back into the cup portion for now.

Here's the part-http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/more_info.cgi?pn=911-424-139-00-M260&catalog_description=Ball%20Cup%20Shift%20Bush ing%20At%20Base%20Of%20Shift%20Lever%2C%20%39%31%3 1%2F%39%31%32%20%28%31%39%36%35%2D%37%33%29%2C%20E ach%20

Here's the diagram of what your shifter "guts" look like. The arrows indicate the 2 bushings you should inspect and/or replace.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1286271982.jpg

Thanks for the info Wayne. I will inspect the bushings as you mention. So the ball simply snaps into place? There is nothing holding into its cup?

Correct. It is more like an interference fit. Yours is probably just worn out. Be sure to lightly grease the new one before installation.

The round bushing that is on the shifter bracket is more of "while you are in there" replacement part.

Your shifter is different than the ones on the 915 gearbox so I would suggest doing a search on removal/dissassembly.