Sticky Shifter

[James Chimney]

85.5 944, ok my shifter seems to be getting worst, 1st is very hard to get into, second almost as bad, 2nd to 3rd is find, 3rd to 4th is fine, 4th to 5th is fine, reverse is hard too.
so I read Clarks Garage on inspection and replacement the shift lever, should I just replace the shifter and components or should I install a "Short Shifter? I don't want to replace the shifter and not be able to get it to the shop if I mess it up. is every thing done from inside the shifter boot?
Pros, Cons?
ease of install of both?

[James Chimney]

I removed the leather and rubber boots and find that the shifter it self is hitting the rubber against the left side sand right sides of the frame, I removed the rubber boot and now it works much better (rubber boot was worn through)
so where it the adjustment for the side to side play of a shifter?

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by James Chimney

I removed the leather and rubber boots and find that the shifter it self is hitting the rubber against the left side sand right sides of the frame, I removed the rubber boot and now it works much better (rubber boot was worn through)
so where it the adjustment for the side to side play of a shifter?

The pin on your shifter is probably worn out plus the plastic bushing at the bottom of it ,I sugest you get yourself a new shifter lever#1 & a new bushing #10.They are available from pelican here under( New Parts catalog) also check all the shift linkage bolts on top of your transaxle as seen in the last pic . A Schneel Short shifter will be the nicest upgraded you could do to the old girl has far as having fun shifting it "but that another story if your interested will guide you in on buying & installing one" (

[James Chimney]

Thanks Ernie, it was the bolt # 26 or B in second pic, it was not even hand tight, I gave it a tightening and it works much better.
I would like to know what I need and how to do the Short Shift upgrade (or short grade how ever you look at it)
thanks

[James Chimney]

Still having a problem with the shifter hitting the left side wall under the rubber boot when shifting into 1st n 2nd? I re tightened the #26/B bolt but I need to adjust the shifter away from the left wall?
the plastic cup underneath looks fine and so does the pin that comes off the shifter on the right side.
any ideas?