Shifter throw on a 915

[Va_Powerman]

What is the approximate normal or "good" distance of play of the shifter when the transmission is in gear? Is any excessive play typically caused by the shifter bushings being worn?

Would worn bushing cause random balky/"sticky" shifting? Notchy shifting?

(yep, I've done the search, have a good idea, but am am still wondering...)

Thanks.

[DRACO A5OG]

It sounds like your coupler is wearing out. Have you ever replaced it?

It may feel tight in your hands but when you get a new one or even better get a upgraded one like Coupler Whisper's coupler. You will feel a huge difference.

I would not hurt to inspect the bushings, those are probably worn as well.

[Joe Bob]

Yep......bushings and/or coupler.....transmission and engine mounts can also be a factor.

If you have ever had your hand on the shifter lever and blipped the throttle and it gives feedback....it's mounts.

[Va_Powerman]

Thanks guys.

The shifter doesn't dance when I hit the throttle, but the shifting just isn't right.

I've never replaced or worked on the bushings in the coupler/shifter, the vehicle has 86,xxx miles or so. I'm convinced it's original.

Thinking I would get after this project this past year, I do have the rebuild kit our host sells - sitting on the workbench. Understanding that the coupler whisperers bushings are a good product, would you recommend that I order his, or go ahead and rebuild with what I have? (I guess I'm asking if there is that much of a difference in the products...)

[nene]

Joe Bob, then I need to replace my tranny mounts (recently replaced the engine ones) as I also do feel the feedback in the shifter lever when hitting the throttle.

Thanx,

Serg

[Joe Bob]

Open the inspection cover on the tunnel in front of the back seats. A good visual is needed prior to ordering parts.

Do a search on the coupler R&R.....easy to screw the pooch......

The tranny mounts for nene.....consider WEVO products. Be advised if you go with hard core mounts, you will have harmonic noise in the cabin.

[garment]

Since I got my '83 SC in 2012, I've replaced the coupler with the Coupler whisperer's bushings, the cup at the base of the shifter, the shift rod bushing, and both hard-as-rock motor and tranny mounts with Wevo blue pillows (the softer ones). I also replaced the clutch cable, it got thrashed when the clevis pin at the pedal snapped. Even with all this and expert shift adjustment to the clutch throw, I still have 1 in ten shifts from neutral to first, and first to second, that are "notchy" or difficult. That said, there is a great improvement from when I got the car and I am glad I did all this!

[Robey5]

Va_Powerman:

(insert Homer singing, "I am a lineman for the county.....")

You should take a look at the WEVO PSJ if you are going to replace the bushings... my suggestion.

[tdw28210]

Check the cup on the shifter rod that the end of the shifter inserts into. Mine had come loose and made shifting a nightmare. It was waggling like hell and someone with bigger balls than me welded it back in place. (Those are fuel lines running right next to it) I did all the coupler maintenance first before I figured out it was the actual cup.

[cabmandone]

I'd say front to back play is the shift coupler with sided to side being the tunnel bushing. I had me tunnel bushing go out recently and it caused a lot of side to side play while in gear. I was also bumping R coming out of 5 down to 4 but that can also be a symptom of worn shift coupler bushings. Replacing is really easy.

[Va_Powerman]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I'd say front to back play is the shift coupler with sided to side being the tunnel bushing. I had me tunnel bushing go out recently and it caused a lot of side to side play while in gear. I was also bumping R coming out of 5 down to 4 but that can also be a symptom of worn shift coupler bushings. Replacing is really easy.

I'm guessing just about all of the bushings are shot, or nearly so; I have play in both planes - and I have no signs in my maintenance documentation that the p/o ever had her mechanic do this... so I'll be tearing into it in the near future.

[DRACO A5OG]

Please keep us posted :-)

[suckho]

There are too many threads about 915 shifter so I don't start a new one but continue on this one instead..

I just replaced the bushings below stick and shifter and replaced the coupler. I adjusted coupler by setting gear to N and then turning coupler all the way to right and stick perpendicular to the shifter and all the way to left. Then tightened the clamp. It seems to shift OK, there is no play (anymore) and I can find all gears. However, I could only test while in park as it is already winter time here in Finland.

I read from many sources that there actually SHOULD be some play in coupler when on fifth gear. Why is this? Is it bad if I don't have any? If it is bad, how should I adjust it?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_shifting_improvements/911_shifting_improvements.htm

"h) ... and lastly, there must be a little bit of rotational play when 5th gear is selected. This is checked by shifting into 5th, and feeling whether you can wiggle the shift coupler with your hand. It should just click back and forth slightly...not much, but clearly discernable play."

[Dave Colangelo]

As everyone has said sounds like the bushings which are a quick fix and well worth it. The other thing that could be causing the wear is old/worn motor mounts. If the mounts have a lot of play the engine will rotate a bit while accelerating. Since the head of the shifter is mounted to the chassis and not floating the same plane as the engine/trans is allowed to move the engine motion will cause the joints (and in turns bushings) to wear out.

Regards
Dave

[Va_Powerman]

Replaced the shifter, tunnel, and coupler bushings, which by all accounts were original (about 87k miles).

With the new pelican coupler bushings the coupler, and shifting, is significantly tightened up (very little play anywhere). Took a short test ride with a cold car and besides a finicky 4th, it seemed to be a significant improvement.

Kind of a pain in the butt do do, but nothing too terribly difficult...

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Va_Powerman

Replaced the shifter, tunnel, and coupler bushings, which by all accounts were original (about 87k miles).

With the new pelican coupler bushings the coupler, and shifting, is significantly tightened up (very little play anywhere). Took a short test ride with a cold car and besides a finicky 4th, it seemed to be a significant improvement.

Kind of a pain in the butt do do, but nothing too terribly difficult...

If 4th is still finicky you can do a slight coupler adjustment and should be able to get rid of that. When I say slight I'm talking one tooth at the coupler at a time. Just leave the cover off until you have it adjusted to where it feels right.

[911pcars]

Once you get past bushing replacement, any shifting difficulties are mainly due to one's driving or shifting style. If you aren't aware of the weakness of 915 gearboxes, please review the materials/feedback sprinkled throughout Pelican archives. Here's one I suggest, but it involves a higher level of shifting to both extend gearbox life and increase driver skill.

Anyone double clutch on downshifts? Why?

Sherwood

[Dwerkz]

I just finished installing a Wevo shift kit whit new bushes etc.
Still i notice a flex between the shift tower and the tunnel.
I notice the flex in the actual sheet metal of the tunnel.
Anybody tried to improve on it?
Curious how.