Can't adjust shifter linkage?

[Racekar]

My 86 Carrera could hardly shift, I changed the fluid to the recommended Kendal fluid and changed every bushing. They were all bad, especially the rear shift coupler.

The shift quality is now much better. First from a stop is sometimes tough, requiring you to release and depress the clutch to engage first. First to second sometimes stiff but mostly OK. Second to third to fourth are great.

Fourth to fifth has to be a z move, otherwise you nick reverse, same with a downshift to fourth, almost always nick reverse. When I adjust to get rid of the 4-5 problem I can't get 1-2.

Any hints, I must have moved that coupler 10 times trying to get it right. Gone over the instructions many times, shifter to the left/ coupler to the right. Am I doing something wrong?

[theclaw]

I"ve had to adjust my 84 a couple of times after installing one of Ed's (The coupler whisperer) rebuilt couplers. I was always nicking 5th on the downshift from 4th. I have a Wevo shifter and even with the spring stop, it would sometimes nick 5th. I had it licked until I dropped the engine for a new clutch and installed Wevo motor and trans mounts last month.

It's a pain, you have to keep at it. I tried to mark where I started from but sometimes I seemed to make it worse not better. For this next attempt, I'm thinking I mark my starting point with thin strips of tape (tried a marker but you can't see it too well). I work in small increments, go out for a couple of blocks, if it's not right, pull over, make another small adjustment.

If there are tricks of the trade out there I'd like to hear them too.

Keep at it.

Jeff

[thumbdoctor]

You need to adjust the fore / aft at the coupler to get the neutral gate correct

[78Cab]

Agreed that your neutral position adjustment needing to be made again at the coupler.

One detail that helped me was to align the shift lever so that the bottom portion nearest the floor (before it bends at an angle) is perfectly vertical when making the neutral adjustment. It puts the shift knob back almost at the seat when you shift to second, but your 3-4 and 4-5 shifts will be perfect. Also, I needed to make sure the coupler was rotated ALL the way clockwise before it would shift correctly. Even the slightest bit of rotation before tightening that coupler in the neutral position will affect your results.

[rbogh901]

Originally Posted by 78Cab

One detail that helped me was to align the shift lever so that the bottom portion nearest the floor (before it bends at an angle) is perfectly vertical when making the neutral adjustment. .... Also, make sure the coupler was rotated ALL the way clockwise before it would shift correctly. Even the slightest bit of rotation before tightening that coupler in the neutral position will affect your results.

Clockwise when looking from the back of the car forward towards the front or clockwise looking back towards the back at the coupler as you adjust it from in the cockpit?

[brighton911]

I too have suffered through the adjustment process on my 86. As you have found, tiny changes at the coupler make for big changes at the transmission. In addition to what the others have said, make sure all your engine and transmission mounts are good. If they are weak, the adjustments will "wander" on you. Patience and perseverance needed, good luck too.

[78Cab]

Originally Posted by rbogh901

Clockwise when looking from the back of the car forward towards the front or clockwise looking back towards the back at the coupler as you adjust it from in the cockpit?

The first one (clockwise looking towards the front of the car when sitting in the back seat).

You may have to hold it there while you tighten, mine really wanted to rotate back when I let go.

[Jp-oh]

I just redid this very adjustment yesterday after adjusting the set screw at the base of the shifter. The fore aft bit is the annoying bit for me too. To avoid nicking reverse the adjustment you need to make is a front to back change and not a side to side change.

1st I note the gap between the coupler and forward portion of the rod that goes up to the shifter. Loosen up the coupler clamp dealy and pull back slightly on the shifter. This opens the gap up a bit. Adjust the rest the same as usual; shifter to the far right coupler rotated to far passenger side. Test drive.

Fixing The reverse nick from 5 -4 took a few drives but once I figured the fore aft adjustment was as important as the side to side I got it pretty quick.

[emac]

Racekar-- I know you have heard this a thousand times. Little bitty moves, have patience

[Racekar]

Ok I understand that the depth of the spline is important, which I did not know before. But how much, is it just trial and error?

So now I have to keep the shifter in the 1-2 position and completely vertical in neutral, and simultaneously rotate the coupler to the right AND seat the shaft in only the correct amount, and then tighten it without moving! What German psychopath thought this one up?

[timmy2]

loosen the coupler in neutral and then set the shifter straight up and down and use a bungee cord to hold it in place in the 1-2 plane.
Then turn your attention to rotating the shaft and tightening the coupler.

[80-911SC]

you need two people ... even if one is your wife or neighbor ...

have them hold the shifter and tighten ... usually take two times ....

Ed's thread I have an instructional in it .... best reference is the Bentley ...

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by Racekar

Ok I understand that the depth of the spline is important, which I did not know before. But how much, is it just trial and error?

So now I have to keep the shifter in the 1-2 position and completely vertical in neutral, and simultaneously rotate the coupler to the right AND seat the shaft in only the correct amount, and then tighten it without moving! What German psychopath thought this one up?

The fore/aft adjustment is important and it comes down to millimeters...you should have about the same 'throw' in 1/3/5th as you do in 2/3rd.
It is the same working in the neutral plane...and this is where you nick gears.
I put the tranny in first gear initially, then loosen the coupler...the shifter should be far left. Tighten. then move to the neutral plane and check the throw for and aft...if longer in one aspect then adjust by lengthening or shortening the throw while keeping the same left/right orientation of the coupler and shaft.
When finished put it in 5th gear and make sure there is some play (minimal but felt) in the shaft/coupler assembly.
Just one tech but it works on my 911.

[strikee]

I had the exact same problem you described. Kept on nicking reverse. Re-adjust and make sure stick is straight up. If your centre console is removed you can actually get a set square on top of the shift plate. It is, as many have said, a very fine adjustment. Took me several attempts to get it right.

[rbogh901]

Originally Posted by Reiver

I put the tranny in first gear initially, then loosen the coupler...the shifter should be far left. Tighten. then move to the neutral plane and check the throw for and aft...if longer in one aspect then adjust by lengthening or shortening the throw while keeping the same left/right orientation of the coupler and shaft.
When finished put it in 5th gear and make sure there is some play (minimal but felt) in the shaft/coupler assembly.

That sounds different. Do you still need a helper or is it easier to do it yourself this way?