85 3.2 Carrera difficult to shift to 1st and 2nd
 

My 85 3.2 Carrera with just over 100K miles started to have difficulty shifting
in the past one month or so.

When I shift into the first, sometimes it is in the third, and when I shift into the second, sometimes it is in the forth. It has gotten worst in the last week.

I'd have to shift up (to the seemingly 1st position) and down into neutral a few times for the gear to shift into the first.

Shifting from 1st to 2nd is very tough (takes force), where it used to be quite smooth.

I think it may have something to do with the weather getting colder (I live in Tokyo) but more than likely something is broken in the shifter area, blocking
the movement of shifter?

Can somebody point me to what to look for, what might need to be changed?

Thank you,

Keis

SmileWavy

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Check the shift linkage coupler between the rear seats. I would bet that the bushings are shot or it at least needs adjusting.

I would check all of the bushings assocaited with the shifter and linkage as well.

+1 on this...
My car had symptoms similar to yours, and it was the bushings.

Good luck!

Mine did the same, until I put eds/ivangene shift coupler/bushings, now it shifts very easy...you might want to also change transmission oil. Until it warms up when its cold its always a little tougher to shift. Good luck, Tim

O Hyo, Kidesan!

+1, Check Shift Bushing Coupler and ++1 Get Ivangene's Coupler, he will be thrilled to send ti to Tokyo :D

After that check, check the clutch adjustment as well for extra measure.

Do you know what brand/weight of gear oil you have in her?

Ja Matta Ne :D

DRACO A50G, timchar, redstrosekNic, Oh Haha,

Thank you for your advice! Over the holidays, I will remove the passenger seat, remove the carpeting, and look at

* ball cup bushing
* sliding ring
* shift rod coupler

for their wear and tear, and replace them as necessary.

DRACO A50G, I put in Swepco 12.5K Miles back, almost 6 years ago. I'd think it is still functioning OK in terms of mileage, but it is getting old...

When you swap the gear lube, check the magnet. Post pic please

So did your service correct the shifting issue?

Kide,

You should not have to remove the passenger seat to check the rear bushings. Just pull the rug back and remove the plate. Check the bushings at the shifter as well, that will require you to remove the center console and the stick housing. Honestly if you are going to break all this open to check you may as well order the bushings and replace them while you are in there. They are inexpensive from our supplier here and even if that's not the main problem it will make things nicer any way.

+1 for trans fluid change and checking then magnet. Its not a bad job, can be done in about an hour if you are quick about it.

When i first bought my car I had some serious shifting issues, I though it was the trans and I got scared that i would have to have it rebuilt. Some digging and I found that the shifter shaft was split at the head where it meets the stick its self. When i shifted gears the base of the stick moved but dident move the connecting rod. It was a relatively inexpensive fix and solved the problem, now the car shifts great.

keep us posted on what you find.

Regards
Dave

I thought it was going to be much harder but Thanks to Dave Colangelo, I didn't have to remove the passenger seat.

I removed a lid in the center in front of rear passenger seats and this is what I found. As all of you guessed, it was the plastic shift rod coupler part completely destroyed.

I had a set of three replacement plastic pieces for the shifter and linkage from Pelican, so I replaced it, and it is working like before. Thanks all!

One question, the plastic part that came in a pair, which replaced the destroyed part had a flaring on one side, so I put it in with the flaring outside the shift rod coupler assembly. Is this the right way to put it in? I couldn't figure out the other way to put it in (flaring inside), but it makes more sense to have the flaring inside to prevent it from coming off the assembly?

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I believe they press in from the inside.

The flair is on the inside, on the outside it will come out and there would be no reason to take the unit apart.
Bruce

How do you put the Shift coupler bushings (part#99-1758-424-M230) with flaring inside of Shift Coupler Assembly? Does the T-shaped bar come out of the assembly?:confused:

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Youtube video - Porsche 911 915 coupler bushing replacement / repair 101 - YouTube

FYI - Those bushings SUCK!!

I have thrown about 2 dozen pairs of those out...want some free...I probably have some in my trash can!

Where is the ubiquitous "switch to Kendall" post??? ;)

Scott