Sloppy Gear Shifter On My 1990 964...Need Advice

[David Schmidt]

Hello From Florida:

The gear shift mechanism in my 1990 964 recently (within last 2 weeks) began operating in a very sloppy manner. I can grab the shifter knob...then raise and lower it 2 to 3 inches before the car's structure stops me. This never occurred in the previous 6 years I've owned the car.

Always curious to see a problem...I took out the center console and the rubber boot that surrounds the shifter (it serves to keep water and road junkout of the car. Under the boot, in an area I refer to as the "tunnel" are the shifting shifting mechanisms. linkages and supports. I looked for loose parts, missing pieces etc, anything that would explain why the shifter was moving up and down and operating so badly?

What I saw is shown in the attached 2 photo's. How should I prodeed to get it back into place...and keep it there? Is there some kind of pin or clip that holds the support tube permamently in place?

[David Schmidt]

This is the fartherest shifter support end that anchors in the bulkhead under the dashboard. As you can see, it looks like it has slipped out of the hole that locks it into position. However, I am just guessing this is the case. How did it slip out of position? Are there instructions for making the shifter function properly again?

Thanks,

David Schmidt

[RW964]

Dave you are missing two rubber seals on each end of the tube real easy to replace just time consuming. You have to take off the cover under the car and get to the tunnel that way. Easy I just did mine a while ago. Pm me

[RW964]

Dave I am going to try and add a pict of two cups you need to check when you get the tunnel off the bottom of the car as you are going to be taking this rod off anyhow, its rod number 15 it has two cups on each end . If the rubber in there is bad and most likely will be you can replace just the rubber with a 928 plastic part about 15 bucks American. Mine has been working for years. Just tried but cannot load images I can mail it to you Randy. BTW you only have one end of the tube holding the shifter so when it goes wrecker time ..

[beamonk]

The two rubber grommet/seals in the holes are missing. Replace from under car. The metal spring in the tube needs to come off, then replace springs. just did it last week, easy job.

[David Schmidt]

Hello RW964:

When I looked under my car, I saw a long plate with a lot of perimeter-mounted screws that seemed to be screwed from inside the inside...not from underneath the car where access is a million times easier!!!

How do I get te tunnel off so I can fix the shifter support tube mounts?

This seems a lot harder than it probably is in reality...but I am a newbie and I just don't know.

Thanks,

David Schmidt: confused:

[David Schmidt]

Hello RW964:

Having worked on the same area of the same car recently, I wonder if you have a step-by-step list, pages out of a shop manual, etc, that someone could use to complete the work on your car?

If you do, I would really appreciate it if you would send a copy to me so I can proceed with my own repair activities. As it stands now, I simply don't have enough information to tackle the project...and I am pretty good with tools.

If you have trouble sending anything to me on the Pelican website, you can forward it to me on my e-mail address at: davemschmidt@aol.com

I know I can fix my shifter support problem...but I am relying on my Teutonic buddies on the Pelican Parts website to provide the needed expertise and knowledge so I can do it.

Thanks,

David Schmidt

[s4magman]

FD Motorsports have instructions downloadable from their site FD Motorsports » 964/993 Short Shift Kit

While you're in there, you may consider upgrading to their GoldenRod and short shift kit - I did on my '90 C2 and I am very happy with how precise and solid the shifting is now. I am not affiliated, but I am a very happy customer.

[RW964]

magman you are da man a really good link .. I have been thinking about a short shift kit for my car as well but do not want to get into all that right now.. as for taking care of the rubber gromets Dave get in there and get it done a really easy fix.
The biggest part is taking off the cover for the tunnel. what I was talking about before are the two cups on part 15 and the other part 16
These are made of rubber and dry out. if you look at part no 928-116-145-03-M100
this fits in just like the old part and 13 American is alot better than the 964 part.

go to reenlist forums and put in that part no and you will see. also the good link magman gave shows the rubber that is missing from your car same as all the others that go through this .. Like I said you have one left when it goes wrecker time
a fast note the part that you are missing is part no 26 and this can be just a round pc of rubber like mine was and long like shows on the print

[RW964]

dave tried to send you mail but will not accept just from certian senders ,,, later for now

[rbogh901]

Originally Posted by beamonk

The two rubber grommet/seals in the holes are missing. Replace from under car. The metal spring in the tube needs to come off, then replace springs. just did it last week, easy job.

John, do you have any more info regarding this? did you replace the plastic cups as well?

thx.

[beamonk]

No, just the bushings. i could not verify if the 928 cup fit this and the wole part is a hundred something. it didnt seem bad to wattant replacement. if you get the covers off, it is a simple fix. Get the tube back through the holes and you will sww. I bet youfind bits of the plastic bushings in the rubber shifter cover. it is an easy fix especially if you have it on a lift.

[RW964]

A fast note to ya. Installing the new rubber parts is pretty straight forward it takes longer to get the covers off and on than to put the shifting parts in.
As for the cup parts go to the other forum Rennlist and put in this part number in the search and read a few post 928-116-145-03-M100

Hi all,

For a couple of weeks now the shift effort on my car has steadily increased and felt very notchy. Today I disassembled the shift mechanism and found that the plastic bushings in the guide tube cup and angular joint ball cup (parts 15, and 16 in the PET) had broken down and perished. The shifter end of the guide tube was only being held against the shifter ball end by the rubber boot.

I have done an exhaustive search to try and find the bushings but can only find the two parts 15 and 16 complete with bushings for over US$200 when it's just the bushings that are shot. Has anyone found the bushings available by themselves or am I up for the entire assembly?

Thanks,

Neil

I found the answer on the 993 board... the part number for the bushing is 928-116-145-03-M100 and is listed as a 928 Clutch lever ball cup bushing. Around US$22 ea.

Neil

[David Schmidt]

Hello From Florida:

I really appreciate the feedback you guys provided in my hour of information need. Based on your kind input and suggestions, I was able to quickly and competently fix the shifter problem in my 1990 964! It now works as good as new...and at a total cost of less than $25 in parts. Wow!

As I am currently under-employed, I now perform all of the repair jobs that arise in my car. In retrospect, I was lucky it was a relatively simple repair project. However, I couldn't have even started to fix the shifter without your input...and I just want you all to know that you are all greatly appreciated!

I owe a great deal of graditude to Pelican for this wonderful forum. It is such a fantastic tool and is truly a blessing to all of us.

Thanks,

David Schmidt
The proud owner of a 964

[rbogh901]

Which things helped your shifting the most do you think?

[David Schmidt]

While all of the information was helpful, s4magman provided the breakthrough piece of information that made it possible for me to actually get started. Prior to receiving his response, I felt technically inadequate to open up my 964 to reach the shifter mechanism. He provided a downloadable hyperlink in his contact that offered step-by-step visual and written instructions (FD Motorsports) that detailed the entire process of accessing and replacing the parts in my 964’s shifter in their article. While their article actually involved installing a new short-shift kit, it covered everything from opening up access points...to replacing parts...and finishing the job...everything you need to know. It doesn't get better that that! It made all the difference between starting the project…and not starting.

I FEEL PELICAN COULD SERVE IT’S USERS BETTER WITH AN ENHANCED SERVICE

I really see a need for a downloadable source of visual instructions, that’s geared to helping car owners with their repair tasks and projects. The one discussed above is a good model to base this on. The use of hyperlink’s within a comprehensive database of repair instructions would make it far easier for people to start and complete repair projects. These instructions would cover the entire repair process from start to finish and show it visually with the step-by-step instructions written out simply and completely…like the one identified above.

The bottom line is that Pelican would sell more auto parts because we would better understand how to put them in our cars! In these times of unemployment and under-employment (like myself), more people will find it necessary to fix their Porsches…based on the shear high cost it entails to keep them running. Enhanced visual installation instructions would make this far easier for us to do.

I hope you would consider this new endeavor.

Any comments?

David Schmidt
Jacksonville, FL