Shifter "Binds Up" Laterally When Warm

[OK-944]

I’ve gotten closer to identifying the source of the odd “binding up when warm” shifting behavior which I’d posted about earlier.

Again, keeping in mind that I’ve installed new shifter, shift linkage, and short shift kits from Only944:

I first removed the shifter boots, shift knob, and foam surrounding the shifter linkage, and, using a mirror…got a good look down the length of the shift shaft as I moved the shifter around, to see that there was no interference between this shaft and the top of the torque tube.

I then reinstalled the shifter boots but left the foam out - and took the car out for a drive to warm things up…so I could see if the foam might have been the culprit. Nope…same “sticky shifter” behavior.

When I got home I immediately removed the shift boots and knob…so that I could check things over while still warm (with the engine off) - and noted that the shifter resistance felt like something was binding up…mostly while moving the shift rod laterally (back and forth), while forward backward motion was more or less OK. I then loosened the shift shaft to shifter coupling slightly…which made no difference in this side to side binding.

So…I’m suspecting that either the horizontally oriented transmission case shift-rod (the one which both rotates and moves in and out of the transmission case in response to shifter position) is binding as the case heats up with driving, or perhaps the ball and socket joint of the Only944 short shifter assembly (which allows multi-axial motion transfer from the shift shaft to above mentioned shift rod) is somehow binding up.

At any rate…while I’ll get my car up on a lift today to see what more I can find out, I have a question about how the trans mounted shift rod, seeing as how this is located well above the upper trans fluid fill plug…gets lubricated? Perhaps by the natural movement/migration of trans fluid within the transmission case? I’ve seen no reference to the lubrication needs of this shaft specifically…but should I be lubricating it periodically?

Could be the trans fluid is a bit low…but I did fill the case recently with Redline MT-90 - while the transmission was out of the car, but I don’t see as this would have made any difference to the fluid level as the tranny’s orientation after installation was pretty much the same as when I’d filled it, and I can see no signs of leaks anyplace. Hmmm…

[944 Ecology]

The assembly on the top of the transaxle (I don't really know what it is called; I sometimes refer to it as "the articulating assembly".) doesn't get any lubrication from the transaxle.

I did have one transaxle on a car that I bought where that assembly had enough rust to make it difficult to shift (and, IIRC, it was movement in the left-right plane of the shift knob.) I had a spare, so I installed it and the problem was solved. In that "articulating assembly), there is a rod that goes through a circular plastic bushing and is kept in place with a circlip. Take the rod out, clean it with emery cloth and lube with silicone grease. That should help.

As always, take pictures before you take anything apart... There are several ways to put it back together and only one is the correct way.

[OK-944]

George, thanks for the response.

Thing is, all of those over the tranny parts are new (Only944 short shift kit and shift linkage), but the shift rod which is just under these parts, and which enters the tranny case sideways and can move in and out as well as around (as it establishes the specific gear positions) is the original unit, and my thought is that this is the part which could be binding.

On the other hand, there were a couple of responses on my earlier post...from folks who'd also installed the Only944 components, who also had similar issues. Hmmm....

At any rate, I won't have time to dive into this until Monday afternoon, and plan to get the car warm and have my wife activate the shifter as I observe the components...and in any case I'll make sure to get things cleaned and lubed - and hopefully this will solve the issue.

Edit: In fairness to Kyle, I also believe that at least one of the abovementioned folks had mentioned that their shifting issues were solved as a result of having installed his kits.

[walfreyydo]

I was also having this very strange problem and was able to tentatively fix it by spraying some WD40 on the pivot arm at the transaxle - the heim joint. I am also running a only944 shift linkage and short shifter kit. This piece allows the big rod to twist when shifter is moved side to side (with the pivot point at the top where the slot is) allowing in-out movement of the trans shift rod.

It seems the tolerances are a little tight and when the trans/exhaust heats these parts up they bind somewhat. I think adding the lube helps keep them movable when this occurs.



Originally I was worried it was an issue within the trans shift rod as well, but since I have sprayed this part, I havent had the issue return.

[OK-944]

Thanks for the info...and with this I lifted my car, sprayed, cleaned, and resprayed the heim joint (added some thicker lube also)...and while things seem somewhat better - I'm still a bit disappointed.

Also...the heim joint looks a bit rusty - so I'm thinking that no matter how well I can clean and lubricate it - its days still might be numbered...especially given what is likely a relatively high amount of working stress on this joint, and that failure of this joint would leave me stranded.

My plan going forward is to drive the car a bit more to see if things improve...and if not I'll likely replace everything with OEM equipment. For sure, a short shifter is a great concept...but its gotta work!

[16again2009]

have you contacted only944?

[OK-944]

16again you are so right...plus, it is very unfair to Kyle to have not contacted him prior to my posting the above. I will contact Kyle for suggestions.

[walfreyydo]

We suspect but have not isolated the issue of stiffness to the only944 shifter and I wouldn't necessarily say this is the cause of the stiffness. You may have issues with the selector rod or the return spring inside the trans, or the shift lever ball and socket.

Strange the only944 shifter is rusty, but I think you mentioned in another thread you do drive the car in the snow/winter so perhaps this is expected given the increased amount of corrosion and wear that driving on salted roads will create. Corrosion inside that heim joint could create the stiffness you describe (but you would think its at all temperatures and not only when warm).

I would also check the shift linkage at the front of the car - is the ball and socket at the bottom of the shifter worn or binding when you are having the symptoms? It sits right above the torque tube which sits above the exhaust so this is also something to check, since it may be getting warm from the exhaust heat.

One other thing to try is to remove the linkage from the shift lever (the long rod going back to the trans) and see if its still stiff without that attached.

Also - See if you have issues manually moving the selector rod in and out of the trans (hopefully you can get it lifted up after a long drive while its still warm and exhibiting the symptoms).

Some things to try

[OK-944]

Success! I re-lubed everything this morning and worked the mechanism around while things were cool - and also shot some silicone into the plastic ball cup at the base of the shift rod (thanks Tyler!), and after having the car out for long enough to get things warmed up - I am once again appreciating Kyle's great work!

Looking forward...as my car is my daily driver, including through our northern Vermont winters with attendant road-salt, my thought is to provide a bit of extra protection (perhaps an application of Fluid Film?) to these joints prior to next winter.

At any rate...many thanks for the comments and suggestions!

[pfarah]

Interesting topic. I had an issue with the shift linkage driving home from the Helen, GA meet where that snap ring popped off during a lazy 5th to 4th shift, about 650 miles away if I may add. Both the snap ring and groove were damaged which prompted me to order a few spare sets once I got home. I'm in the middle of restoring at least two of them and will keep one in the car in my "spares" case.

[jjeffries]

Patrick, I like your style, i.e., carry inventory.

OK944, I’m glad you got it resolved.

John

[pfarah]

Yup!