Gordo's Wevo Shifter Refresh - After 12 Years / 70k Miles

[Gordo2]

Background

I installed a Wevo shifter in my 911SC in 2006, ~ 70k miles ago Shift Upgrade Parts In: Wevo 915 Shifter, PSJ, SS Engine Mounts & Poly Trans

The Wevo shifter provided a great improvement to the shifting precision, but following my transmission rebuild in 2017 (which included installation of the Wevo internal gate shift Gordo's 915 Transmission Rebuild), I've noticed that the shifter seemed to exhibit more left / right play (while in neutral position) than it originally had.

Problem / Issue: Since my trans rebuild - shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear took a bit more finesse than I would expect. When in neutral, the shifter handle moves left / right about ~ 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch before the contacts engage to apply spring pressure. This amount of movement may reduce precision when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear.

I tried to fine-tune the shift couple adjustment a few times, but still found it difficult to quickly shift from 2 to 3: it feels as if the shift dongle isn't quite lining up with the internal transmission gate sometimes, requiring me to reduce tension on the shifter and wiggle it a bit left / right to get it into 3rd.

I originally attributed the issue to the Wevo internal gate shift - it definitely demands precision to engage each gear. Meanwhile, the amount of left / right shifter play that my shifter exhibited while in neutral seemed suspect.

Based on the above conditions - I decided to dig into my Wevo shifter this winter to inspect and replace worn parts.

Of note - since originally installing the Wevo shifter in 2006, I haven't done any maintenance other than spraying the contact points occasionally with a bit of silicone spray lubricant. Additionally my shifter housing is naked - no boot or cover installed to keep out dust / debris. The following photo's are the result of what should probably be considered poor shifter maintenance on my part...

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Shifter Refresh

I removed the shifter assembly and disassembled to inspect the components.

I found the shifter detent plungers (Wevo part #'s XT 061) showed considerable wear. The amount of wear definitely reduced the precision / centering of the shifter in the 3-4 gear plane.

I called Wevo and ordered 2 new shifter detent plungers ($10 per + shipping) and installed them today:


Wear on the old shifter detent plungers (toward the center of the top plate) as compared to the newly installed detent plungers:



I also noticed that the contact points / tabs on the Wevo pivot box were showing wear:



Side view of the pivot box tab:



Instead of replacing the pivot box (since the wear was relatively minor), I decided I would try to repair / fill the worn contact areas with epoxy (JB Weld).


Pivot box tabs / grooves filled with JB Weld


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Will update once I reassemble and have the opportunity to adjust and drive.

Info provided for others who may have a relatively high milage Wevo shifter...

Gordo

[Gordo2]

Nice weekend, so I found the ambition to reinstall the shifter with the new plungers and repaired shifter pivot box.

Wish I would have done this when I rebuilt my trans - it really improved the accuracy of the shifting.

As mentioned in my original post - with the worn plungers, the shifter handle moved left / right ~ 1/2 to 3/4" when in neutral (which is pretty significant with regard to the amount of rotation that equates to at shift rod / coupler).

With the new plungers installed, there is very minor left / right play.

I was able to install the shifter per Wevo instructions, and went for a drive to fine tune the shift couple adjustment - none required.

Bottom line - the shifter operates like new, and feels great. The occasional binding when shifting from 2 to 3 is gone.

Gordo

[Flojo]

Very good to know about the Plungers.

Originally Posted by Gordo2

I also noticed that the contact points / tabs on the Wevo pivot box were showing wear:

how do you repair that? weld-up and grind?