G50 Shifter Problems

[gregwilliams3]

My 1989 911 (G50) has had some shifting problems. The car is the 25th anniversary edition which came standard with a short shifter, and it only has 48K miles on it. I’ve noticed a significant amount of “play” in the shifter while the car is in gear—it will travel 2-3 inches horizontally which is similar to problems others have had when a bushing in the shifter linkage fails. I replaced both my bushings but the problem has persisted. The strange thing about my case is that it seems to be an intermittent problem that sometimes disappears only to reappear again the next time I drive. Sometimes the shifter has very little horizontal play and sometimes it’s a large amount.

Another intermittent problem is that the vertical shift lever occasionally scrapes against the left or right walls of the shifter housing when going into reverse or 5th gear respectively. No amount of tinkering with the housing position (sliding it forward or backward) seems to fix the problem. It’s like there’s just too much travel horizontally between reverse and 5th. But then sometimes this problem also goes away. During a recent trip on the interstate, I lost the ability to get the car into 5th gear altogether. It seemed like the shifter was going into the proper channel for 5th, but turned out to be 3rd instead. This problem disappeared after a few minutes.

I have been unable to notice any patterns to any of these problems. They occur during hot/cold outside temps, when the car itself both hot and cold, during city/highway driving. And it’s totally random when they show up or disappear.

Everything else works perfectly. The gears are easy to shift into—just seems to be a lot of slop. I changed the gear oil very recently. I don’t think it’s the bushings in the shift linkage, and the shifter coupling between the rear seats looks ok. What else might explain what’s happening? Has anyone else had these problems?

[msterling]

Transmission mounts? Engine mounts? A busted mount could shift positions and cause the intermittent shifting problems.

[ganun]

I think the inverted cup bush in the lever mechanism is popping up every once in a while or is in pieces. Unfortunately removing the console is a bit of a PITA but with it out you should see whats going on.

[dshepp806]

time for a new shifter bushing (tunnel), as well as the part Ganun is mentioning. Just my guess.

Doyle

[steely]

Originally Posted by msterling

Transmission mounts? Engine mounts? A busted mount could shift positions and cause the intermittent shifting problems.

The transmission mounts might help too - I replaced my G50 mounts with the 2-part variety from our host and I felt like my shifting improved - possibly because the engine/trans was aligned higher/better with the tunnel. Could be my imagination, but maybe not. I also updated the shifter bushings as well which helped, but things seemed unexpectedly better after the trans mounts.

research too, because you do introduce a bit more noise, but I don't mind it much since I have a targa (not as quiet as a coupe).

[Abby3.2Carrera]

There is a locking bolt that locks the fork coming out of transmission to the shifter piece coming out of the tunnel. If the bolt become loose, the left and right motion on the shifter will get longer, and you will lose reverse and 5th gear down the road. The bolt on your car probably just a bit loose and sometimes it catches and sometimes it doesnt.

to fix this, you have to go under the car and pull back the rubber boot and tighten up that bolt, 20 mins fix.

[michael lang]

The mounts have absolutely nothing to do with what you are talking about, the reason why the shifting will feel better with new mounts is because the amount of movement in the trans has been minimized by the new bushings in the mounts. As you put load on the drivetrain the engine/trans will shift or twist. The fresh bushings keep that shifting to a minimum. If you do this, step up & buy the WEVO mounts, black for street car (less vibration) blue for track car (ultra stiff). I put the black bushings in because I still do drive on the street in my car some. And yes, it does make the shift feel better but that's not why I did the mounts on mine.

For the problem you are experiencing, I believe Ganum is on the right track. Something inside the shifter mechanism is int. not aligning correctly as you move the lever from position to position. I suspect the plastic cup that it attached to the ball socket on the shifter lever is just worn out & is becoming very brittle giving you an excessive amount of play. As a result, as you move the shifter from 4th to 5th, the excessive play is just enough to not allow the linkage to align with the 5th gear slot and moving it into the 3rd gear position eventhough you selected 5th. I agree that taking the console apart for access might be a pain in the ass but since you have to take it apart, rebuild the whole shifter or replace it with a JWest or WEVO G50 shifter. I wouldn't mess with the bushing in the tunnel. All that does is act like a linkage connecting one rod to another. Please keep us updated as to what you find as you dig into this.

[Chuck.H]

Is there a 'short shifter' for the G50? Can you take a picture of your shifter when you're in there?

If your bushings are good, I suspect it may be the transmission-to-shifter-rod bolt as Abby suggested. Also check the coupler bushing under the access panel between the rear footwells...

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 360k miles

[Discseven]

Plastic rots out here. As it does, getting into gears gets worse and worse.

[Chuck.H]

Karl I believe that coupler is for a 915... The G50's have a rubber coupler similar to what you would see in a steering column. Nonetheless, it's a good place to check for sure.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 360k miles

[Discseven]

Thanks Chuck!

[Cattler]

Originally Posted by dshepp806

time for a new shifter bushing (tunnel), as well as the part Ganun is mentioning. Just my guess.

Doyle

Ditto w/ Doyle. I had this problem a few years ago and this very bushing was the problem. I'd replaced the bushings in the shifter assembly, and replaced this one also, but didn't do a good job at getting it in the right location / locked in place. It felt like exactly what the OP is describing in terms of shift sloppiness and lateral movement. Mine also was intermittent, the bushing was slowly working its way around / off the shaft.

I recommend (despite the PITA) breaking it down again and checking this bushing.

Dave