Shifter Location - My Short Stumpy Legs

[CCM911]

This weekend's project will be the installation of my Pelican Shifter Bushing kit, as my trans has been hesitant to engage with any consistency as of late. I have studied the process, and am confident I can get it done in a day.

Here is my issue. I have short stumpy legs(29" Inseam), so I have to drive with my seat almost all the way forward. At this position, the clearance between the driver's seat and the shift lever is pretty tight. While the lever does not actually contact the seat, I am wondering if this could possibly be a contributing factor in my ongoing fight to engage second gear free of incident? I have a replacement trans that has about 40K on it. And my original trans acted in the same manner.

Can I expect an improvement in my shifting with the new bushings and an adjustment?

Thanks so much.

[Joe Bob]

Duct tape blocks of wood on the pedals....

[jpnovak]

shift coupler alignment will cause some of this issue. The shift lever will bottom on the shift tower before you actually pull the slider far enough to engage the dog-teeth.

When you re-align after swapping the bushings pay close attention to the fore-aft position of the shift coupler in the shift rod.

[Trackrash]

+1 on the shift coupler. Are you also replacing the bushings in that? Those are notorious for causing shifting problems. You might also want to make sure the trans mounts are tight.

Funny thing is I have long legs and wish my shifter was further back!

[KTL]

Bad bushings in the 915 shift assembly is the #1 problem with it. Otherwise the shifter is very simple, very effective. I had mine apart recently and I am amazed at the simplicity of this shifter. It's really quite ingenious when you look at how it works.

As long as your replacing both the ball socket cup bushing and the shift rod guide bushing, you should have everything you need for the shifter itself to operate properly. In terms of getting it to shift right, the coupler and it's alignment are key to making the shifter tell the transmission which gear you want.

[CCM911]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

+1 on the shift coupler. Are you also replacing the bushings in that? Those are notorious for causing shifting problems. You might also want to make sure the trans mounts are tight.

Funny thing is I have long legs and wish my shifter was further back!

Yep. Coupler bushings are included in the kit.

You guys are making me feel much more confident that I am doing the right thing to help out my shifts.

And Jo Bob - Should I put a phone book on the seat to match the blocks on the pedals?

[Joe Bob]

29 inseam isn't that short....I agree with the bushing and coupler fix. I did that and installed a WEVO shifter. I was able to move the seat back.....your shifter may be out of adjustment. I assume you have a Bentley Manual?

BIG improvement. The shifter also did not hit the seat anymore on 2nd gear and reverse.

[KTL]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Duct tape blocks of wood on the pedals....

Or a new pair of shoes..............