sloppy shifter fix

[honerboys]

just thought someone could use this fix - you would need a grinder and and a welder (or at least access to one) - the hole on the forward end of the shifter rod gets egg shaped so you'll have to drill it big enough to make it round again - this one i drilled to 7/16" - i'm no sure if you can go out to 1/2" as the metal in the tube might get too thin - but you'd have nothing to lose by trying - you could always weld a new tube on it - i've done this repair to two cars now and both are working great - as you can see the peg on the shifter itself was about worn through
put the trans in 1st and hold the rod up with a a screwdriver handle - use a piece of sheet metal to protect the console as the drill chuck will tear it up if it hits
grind off the weld on the back side of the shifter peg until you can see the outline of the peg then tap the peg out of the shifter

get a bolt hat matches the size hole you drilled - you will have to enlarge the hole a bit by wiggling the drill bit around in it but you want a pretty tight fit - measure the bolt against the peg - a little longer is better than short
cut the threads off the bolt and test the fit in both the shifter and the shifter rod end
weld the bolt head to the shifter and grind off the excess
grease up the pivot points drill a hole through the new peg near the end - you can adjust the fit with washers - stick a hitch pin through the hole and you're good to go this costs about $4 bucks and takes about an hour

[mikepellegrini]

Great job!

[SolReaver]

Well done sir!
Check the linkage at the transmission end and make sure you have the correct bolt properly wired in back there as well.

[honerboys]

i guess i should add that you should remove all rubber and the bottom pivot plastic piece before welding or grinding as it will get hot enough to melt these pieces

[Gawernator]

Looks good! Personally I thought it was much easier to install Porsche 944 Shifter with bearings to fix the extra play while shifting that, but both work well!

[John_AZ]

honerboys & Gawernator --an old time fix and the recent fix to sloppy shifters.

I have used many methods and the only permanent "fix" that will give the exact same shift response as OEM is to get a new shift lever or at least a very good used that does not look like the photo honerboys posted of his old shift lever.

Drilling the shift rod is tricky because of the small access needed to get the drill in straight.

If your shift rod is really bad drill it like honerboys suggested and insert a brass tube as a collar.
Follow the directions:

Shifter Repair

When done get a new or good used shift lever.

Remember to set your shift lever per WSM:



John

[krystar]

why drill it while still installed? it's only 2 bolts to remove the whole shifter shaft.

[kdjones2000]

I have used this fix on 3 cars:

Tech-july-03

I think it is a nice way to fix the problem for a reasonable cost.

[John_AZ]

I have mine chromed...