G50 shifter slop. Newb

[Junkbone]

The symptoms are pretty common, and I have found lots of suggestions on here for what to look for. My main problem is just being unfamiliar with it and how it should function. The car shifted really well and tight up until yesterday. Then all of a sudden, huge amounts of slop. I could still shift with no problem but the shifter was loose and I noticed when I shift or wiggle from side to side it would "clunk". I removed the console the best I could without knowing how to get the shifter ball off and after fighting with the wiring to the climate controls. Here I'll say I only own a Haynes Manual for the car and it would make better toilet paper. Anyway, when I move the shifter side to side, I can see the end of the shift (at ball socket) rod knocking up against the base plate and making the "clunk" Also, when moving side to side, you can see the shift rod moving side to side in the tunnel.So much so it hits each side of the tunnel tube. Is the rod supposed to move side to side in the tunnel? Thanks for the long read.

[gamin]

Shift rod bushing 950 424 224 03. $5.25 from our host. Common problem. Get a Bentley manual for the Carrera. Much better than Haynes. Changing that bushing can be fun. You want to do things in the right order. Shouldn't be "fighting" the wiring. Get the Bentley manual before you muck something up. BTDT.

[megerian]

Lots of good info here:

Shifter bushing question

[wrxnofx]

To remove the shift knob you need to remove the plastic shift pattern insert from the knob center. Underneath is a socket head cap screw that screws the knob to the shift shaft.

[Junkbone]

Thanks guys. That gives me
a little more to work with. *update* Seriously, thanks for the help. Got the shift knob off, removed console, removed shifter. Everthing looks bran new other than the shift rod bushing. I had to dig around to find it. It was in 20 pieces down in the tunnel.

[Tippy]

I put one in and busted it within days. Was PO'd to say the least.

Guess drag racing was a,little hard on it.

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by Tippy

Guess drag racing was a,little hard on it.

You are not doing it right, with the clutch fully depressed, pin the throttle to the floor and side step the clutch, you need RPMs to get all the boost you need for this expert only maneuver!

[Junkbone]

So I have my new bushing, and like other threads I've read, it's gonna be a very tight fit into the hole on the back of the shifter base. Does anyone know from experience, if I need to put the bushing on over the shift rod first and then push it into place, or will there be enough room to install bushing with shifter out of the car and then slide the whole thing back over the shift rod? Just not sure if their will be enough room and don't want to do it twice. Thanks

[Quicksilver]

The JWest shift linkage coupler is a good way to tighten things up further.