Fixing the Shifter

[surfdog4]

well my shifter was wobbly, i didnt realize just how badly until i drove another 944. Figuring it was the plastic bushing, I took apart the shifter.

turns out the pin on the shifter handle was worn into a cone shape!. the bushing was broken, and the rubber boot was split in several places

So i got the replacement parts, just finished installing them and wow it's like a completely different shifter.

In a nutshell, easy job, $82 in parts..big difference...if your shifter is loose, take a close look before you just order that plastic bushing!

[nynor]

mine is worn out the same way...

a few weeks ago, i went to put the car in gear and it died, i could move the shifter itself in a very large circle. so, i start the car, get it going, barely, because it was in third gear, it dies again, i start it while moving, get it onto the side of the rode and start wondering how i am going to get the rest of the way home.

so, i pull the boot off, etc., and find that the lever has come out of the sleeve thingy, and the part of the lever that goes in there is completely worn. i get it in there, drive to home dump, and get a circlip to put on the end of the little shaft, along with a couple of nylon washers. when i get home, i lube it with motorcycle chain wax and call it a day. i have to replace the boot and everything, so i think i'll just replace the whole lever this spring.

[marghella]

80 dollars in parts for a bushing??? wowie we wow

[nynor]

you have to buy the whole lever.

[surfdog4]

Lever: ~$49
rubber sleeve: ~$28
Plastic bushing: $4

[nynor]

^exactly.

[Taz's Master]

Do a search, there is a fix entailing a drill and a bolt that works well.

[nynor]

oh yeah, i remember seeing that. that's what i am going to do.

[surfdog4]

I thought about drilling out the pin, but i figured..what the heck this is probably the first and last time I ever have to do this...It's a pretty big pin and seems to be fairly hard metal

[Eldorado]

From FRWilk's old website
-------------------------------------


Definitions
shift lever - stands up vertical and has the shift knob attached.
shift rod - it lays horizontally between the tranny and the shift lever.

When I bought my 84 944, the shifter was so bad it hit the frame and rarely would go into second gear. It was cutting the leather boot between the frame and lever. I replaced the "shift lever" for about $60. It got much better but still very sloppy.

The shaft on the "shift lever" suffers wear on both ends, hourglassed shape. Also, the mating 1 inch long hole in the "shift rod" suffers damage. Simply replacing the "shift lever" does not make it shift like new again.

Use a reversible hand drill and go up in size each time. Drill sizes, 13/32, 27/64, 7/16. Twist the "shift rod" so it is pointed up at an angle as in second gear. Then run the 3 drills through the hole in the "shift rod".

Use a good epoxy and glue the brass tubing (0.95 in long) over the worn shaft on the "shift lever". When it is setup, grease it up good and put it back on the car. Everything will feel real tight again.
The brass tubing is a hobby store item. K & S Engineering sells to hobby stores exclusively. The wall thickness is 0.015 inch nominal.

[surfdog4]

my shift rod did not seem to be worn that much...so i left it alone..the brass insert is a neat idea though

Interesting that the pin on my shift lever was worn to a "cone" shape, not an hourglass...maybe the P.O. only used low gears?

[Eldorado]

mine has worn to a cone shape too... looking to repair it soon..

how easy is that pin to get out?

[pokey]

Pretty easy. use a grinder to get rid of the weld, and the pin pretty much falls out.

[shikzachaser]

If you have to buy the lever anyway look @ the Speedforce short shift. You also have to buy a MOMO or equ. knob but the difference is amazing.

Steve