Gear Shift

[agrasis]

I have a 356B Super 90 Roadster. I have owned the car for 15 years and have driven it about 20,000 miles. My gear selector has become increasingly sloppy. Have others encountered this? Is this a simple fix by replacing springs in the lever mechanism or am i dealing with something more extensive back in the transmission itself?

[Les Paul]

On the floor right in front of the back seats is a little panel. If I recall there are some bushings in there that go bad. Our host here sells them and they are really easy to change out. Try that first.

[agrasis]

Thanks Les, i will check it out!

[agrasis]

Les, you have definately nailed my problem. The bushings in the coupler are gone completely. I found one of the old broken bushings in the tunnel. My next question--how do i get the coupler assembly out to install the bushings since it is in the tunnel? I can barely reach it with my fingers and don't see an obvious way to get it out. Or perhaps the bushings are somehow split and can be installed without disassemling the coupling?

[agrasis]

Some further research leads me to believe that I need to disconnect shift rod on the engine side of the firewall. Havent confirmed on my car yet but from photos looks like there is a set screw under the rubber boot between transmission and firewall. Am i on the right track? (I will know tonight when i try it).

[Flieger]

I believe it is nearly the same as on a 911, and there is a lot of information on replacing the 911 shift coupler bushings (and the bushings for the shift rod under the shifter) in the 911 Technical Forum.

[KevinP73]

Here's what you're looking for.
Shift coupler with new bushing and set screw in place.

I've removed the boot for a better look. The set screw seats into the dimple in the shaft for positive placement.

[KevinP73]

You might also consider replacing the shifter ball cup and the rod bushing. It's only a couple dollars more but the results are a noticably better feel in the shifter.

[carrera79]

Originally Posted by KevinP73

You might also consider replacing the shifter ball cup and the rod bushing. It's only a couple dollars more but the results are a noticably better feel in the shifter.

Hi,
this is the late T6-C model, not on the roadster originally, but you can adapt this model of late style on the T5 roadster, and this will increase precision of gear level shifting "way much" !!!

that's what I've done on my T5 roadster

fred ©

[356graham]

The full process (including re-adjustment in case you loose it while replacing the bushings) is well documented on the 356 registry site technical articles. The pictures posted by Pelicanites are much better than on the 356 registry site, so between the two resources you should be in good shape.

Search "Shift Linkage Refurbishment" and you will find it easily. Not a particularly difficult job and very rewarding.

Good luck.

[piscean911/914]

Originally Posted by agrasis

. . . Is this a simple fix by replacing springs in the lever mechanism . . . .

is there a spring in the 356 lever mechanism? i have springs in my 915 and 901 tranny's but not in the 356 741 unit - any confirmation would be great - thanks, brad in seattle