915 transmission - 1st gear has become 3rd gear

[universeman]

Guys,
I drove the car a few days ago after having it parked a few days. Final drive before parking it was totally normal.

I got back in and seem to not have first gear or second gear anymore. The shift lever is in the right spot for first, I can move it through all six positions, and reverse works. It shifts easily, the issue is that it barely takes off from stop due to lugging (gear too high) - I know it's a trans not an engine issue because I can get all the way to 60mph without shifting - it's definitely in 3rd.

What's weird is I can't feel at all another stop on the left of the shift pattern, so it doesn't seem to be a coupler/shifter issue at all -- and if I drive through the gears, I get 3-4-3-4-5

What could be going on inside the 915 that would cause it to stay selected in 3-4 when I go to 1-2 plane? Very strange. Clutch/all else seem normal.

Thanks in advance...

[MBAtarga]

Immediately when seeing your thread title, I was going to suggest the shift coupler has loosened/moved.

[SiberianDVM]

Or the shifter bushing has disintegrated.

[matthewb0051]

+1 on bushings. I replaced the ball/cup bushing a couple of weeks ago and didn't get it fully seated. The shifting was very odd and I don't think I was getting all gears. It felt like a gated shifter, which mine most certainly is not.

[RRico]

as MBATarga said, something in the shifting mechanism / linkage has loosened.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

Or the shifter bushing has disintegrated.

^^^^^
I agree, just went through this.

Also, the shift coupler.

Gerry

[reesestewww]

Adding to what the others have said. Had the same thing happen.

Simple fix.

[universeman]

All new bushings. Should have said that first. Shift coupler is WEVO PSJ, shift rod bushings (cup, rod bushing) are new. But I guess I need to check those. Any other ideas?

[Daugaard]

The fork inside transmission get loose. but easy fix.
I think there are a tread about that somewhere.

[universeman]

Update for the searchers who might have stumbled onto this thread: My shifting problem has been resolved. The issue was the set screw on the WEVO PSJ shift coupler had gotten loose, and was allowing the coupler to twist on the shaft. I retightened it along with some blue thread locker and we should be good to go now. Even if you're using the stock coupler or a rebuilt one, this could be an issue.

Onward!

[KTL]

Put a jam nut on the pointed coupler set screw and you won't have to bother with any threadlocker in the future.

Credit for the photo goes to JWest Eng.