911 SC Shifter Sticking in 5th Gear

[KingSalmon911SC]

Hello All;
In November 2008, I bought a 1980 911SC that had both the engine & transaxle rebuilt. Motor & Trans now have approx 2,000 miles. The car has a used OEM short shifter that was installed by the PO.

The shifter would occasionally stick in 5th gear. I had to pull hard on it while driving at 65 or higher, to get it unstuck. When pulling on the shifter, there would be a noticeable "Pop" under the shifter as it released. The shifter shifts fine after that including 5th, until for whatever reason it would stick again.

In July, I had a reputable shop replace the coupler, ball bushing & shift rod bushing. After inspecting the trans mounts, it was determined that they didn't need replacing. Shifting was Great! I drove approx 400 miles & about 70 miles from home, low & behold, the shifter stuck in 5th again-thus requiring the hard yank & "Pop" to get it out of gear. It stuck twice more after that so I stayed in 4th.

I told this story to the Porsche shop & they suggested that I put more miles on the trans as he thought it is/was just tight from the rebuild & will loosen up with mileage. FWIW, my local Porsche shop is not the shop that rebuilt the trans.

I will be back in the lower48 Labor Day & I'm considering purchasing a new/used shifter and trans mounts, but I don't want to just throw money and parts unknowingly.

Please, any suggestions/advice is/will be Greatly appreciated!

Thank you;
Richard

[KingSalmon911SC]

After many "Searches" I'm leaning towards Carfly's situation where the shifter was binding on the reverse lockout. I'm going to play it safe & purchase a new short shifter; the PO cut alot of corners, & readjust the coupler.

I still welcome any suggestions;

Richard

[yelcab1]

I had the same problem until I readjusted the coupler in the tunnel behind the seat.

[SCrescue]

Richard,
Mine occassionally exhibits the same condition and I believe the cause is the reverse lockout as well. The first time it stuck, I instinctively pulled hard to get it out of gear and of course it wouldn't release. The next time it happened, I relaxed my grip and kind of wiggled it a bit and it came right out. It happened once more after that with the same result and hasn't happened since.

Mike...

[otto in norway]

I have the same issue with my 915 trans. Before I had the service done to it this winter, it would never get stuck in 5th. But now, after I put the trans together, and mounted in the car, it got stuck frequently in the beginning. I found that the way to "un-stick" it, was to simply push the stick forward a bit, without force, and then select another gear. It does not get stuck too much anymore, after apx. 3000 miles since I put it in.

I did the service to the trans myself. One thing I did, was to turn the syncro ring for 5th gear 180 degrees, because it was a bit worn on one side. I thougt maybe this was causing the gear to get stuck, but now it hardly ever happens anymore, so I'll leave it alone... The gearbox is otherwise fine.

[Todd Simpson]

It is likely the adjustment at the coupler. When you're putting it in fifth, you're not really getting past the lockout, and it jams on the way out.

If this is the problem you'll find pulling it back doesn't work, but pushing it forward THEN pulling it back does work. This is because the second push gets you past the detent, then you can pull it back as normal.

Follow the procedures for adjusting the linkage. What you're looking to do is adjust the "knurled portion" of the shift linkage so that the knob sits slightly closer to the front of the car. This will allow the shifter to go all the way into fifth, past the lockout every time, and then come out easily.

[Flat6pac]

The coupler in the back seat do go bad and wear out.
Short shifter has a tenancy to tag reverse coming out of 5th, nature of the beast of at least that is the usual problem with short shifters. You might just remove it and put in a stock shifter and solve all the problems.
Bruce

[rootmatt]

Hi

My experience mirrors Todd's. A SMALL adjustment to the shift coupler was all it took to fix the problem.

The short shifter is more prone to this problem because of its shorter movement. As it doesn't move far, it must be adjusted quite carefully to ensure the lever moves forward enough to clear the reverse lockout but not too far.

Have a play. It will become obvious what is needed.

Matt

[KingSalmon911SC]

Thanks everyone. I'll try & tweak the coupler adjustment. Also, I will check the "Used Parts" Forum for another shifter.

The last two times it stuck, I tried pushing forward on the shift lever & it didn't move.

Lastly, I read where the shift rod should have some lateral movement when in
5th & I will check that also.

Richard

[dc_rebel]

Had the same problem - The culprit is the shifter pivot pin. The pin that the shifter pivots on gets worn on the end that sticks into the spring plate. When you engage 5th gear the worn pin runs the risk of coming out of the spring plate and giving the sensation that the transmission is stuck in 5th or reverse. Replace the pin with a not so worn version from a wrecker or have a machine shop build you a new pin. I believe this is a NLA part.

[ivangene]

Holy revival

[kodioneill]

Originally Posted by Todd Simpson

It is likely the adjustment at the coupler. When you're putting it in fifth, you're not really getting past the lockout, and it jams on the way out.

If this is the problem you'll find pulling it back doesn't work, but pushing it forward THEN pulling it back does work. This is because the second push gets you past the detent, then you can pull it back as normal.

Follow the procedures for adjusting the linkage. What you're looking to do is adjust the "knurled portion" of the shift linkage so that the knob sits slightly closer to the front of the car. This will allow the shifter to go all the way into fifth, past the lockout every time, and then come out easily.

This guy is right on the money. You're not getting full engagement into 5th.

[LjH]

Had a short shifter in a 912 with a rebuilt 915. Hated it.. Put a Seine systems shifter in my 86 Cab with a 915. NIGHT and DAY I love it!! Just my opinion .

Seine Systems > Welcome