Shift coupler update?

[JJ 911SC]

Unfortunately: ...of Jan 2014 I am suspending sales and installations of SS due to time constraints...thank you for your support during this phase - Ed

[willjack42]

I was at a cabin on an island with my 82 911 SC and my shifter suddenly got very sloppy and I lost the ability to shift into 2nd or 4th gear. Taking off the cover in front of the rear seat and peeling the boot back off the shift coupling I found the plastic bushings lying in pieces of varying sizes in the coupling, the boot and on the floor. A little thinking about what to use to avoid the 200 mile drive home with only 1st, 3rd and 5th gear and I came up with a temporary fix. I had some 3/4 od x 5/8 id vinyl tubing, I cut two3/4" long pieces and then 2 pieces of 1/2 copper water pipe (5/8" od) the same length. Placing these over the pin in the shift coupling and in the bore of the yoke reduced the slop enough to be able to shift into all gears. I wrapped a few turns of electrical tape around it to retain the temporary bushings and a hose clamp for good measure. Definitely a jerry rigged repair but enough to get me home and last until my replacement parts arrived. So if you're somewhere in the same situation without access to parts a quick trip to the hardware store could help get you enough to get home.

[JJ 911SC]

Well done MacGyver

How about a pic of the car?

[Otter74]

Well done. I once had my coupler bushings finish disintegrating while in 30 miles of stop and go traffic in SW MI / NW IN. It was not fun.

[harv666]

stomski for the win

[john walker's workshop]

Delrin round hole bushings for $15 and it feels as good as the Stomski. etc. Guaranteed.

[willjack42]

Finally got around to putting in the Rauch & Spiegel coupling I purchased and it is so nice to have crisp shifts. Here's some photos of the temporary repair after I removed the old coupling. My jerry-rigged shift bushings performed remarkably well for 3 weeks! Best part is they were put in place without removing the coupling. A nice 20 minute fix to get home and buy time until the new coupling arrived.
3/4" OD vinyl tuping and 5/8" copper


And some tape and hose clamps to hold it all together

[MichaelSJackson]

+1 for the round hole Delrin bushing.

The round hole eliminates the built-in slop of the original oval hole bushing. And the delrin transmits less noise into the cabin, than the all metal joint couplers. (I've got to get my trans overhauled.)

At $15, why not try it first?

[QueWhy]

Originally Posted by MichaelSJackson

+1 for the round hole Delrin bushing.

The round hole eliminates the built-in slop of the original oval hole bushing. And the delrin transmits less noise into the cabin, than the all metal joint couplers. (I've got to get my trans overhauled.)

At $15, why not try it first?

This is probably the most cost effective option but perhaps not the easiest. Initially I bought the brass bushings but didn’t have a press to remove the pin or install them. I ended up buying the rennshift kit that came with the Stomski coupler. A little more money but a much easier install, great result.

[john walker's workshop]

You don't need a press to get the pin out. The aluminum housing would probably break if you tried. Clamp the exposed square part of the shaft in a vise and use a hammer and punch. Assemble the same way.

[QueWhy]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

You don't need a press to get the pin out. The aluminum housing would probably break if you tried. Clamp the exposed square part of the shaft in a vise and use a hammer and punch. Assemble the same way.

I tried that and was worried I was going to break it. I was really whacking it and it wasn’t moving. When the pin started to deform I gave up. I read some posts saying install of the brass bushings was a PITA and one guy had to bring it to a machine shop. I’m sure the delrin bushings are a much easier install but I didn’t know that was an option at the time.

[john walker's workshop]

A gentle blip with an air hammer then.

[QueWhy]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

A gentle blip with an air hammer then.

I’m sure that would have done it but at the time my workshop was limited to a small portable bench in the spare bedroom of my apartment. I think firing up a compressor would’ve cost me my favorite neighbor status.

I’ve still got the old coupler in my spare parts box. Maybe I’ll fish it out and give the air hammer a go just to satisfy my curiosity.

[MichaelSJackson]

I set it on top of my vice, with the jaws gapped enough to allow the pin/pivot to be punched down. Then a thick punch and a BFH, just tapped it out. And back in.

[john walker's workshop]

Originally Posted by MichaelSJackson

I set it on top of my vice, with the jaws gapped enough to allow the pin/pivot to be punched down. Then a thick punch and a BFH, just tapped it out. And back in.

But that method which often works, stresses the aluminum housing, just like using a press.

[MichaelSJackson]

John,

I see what you mean. There just wasn't that much resistance. I'll probably never get another chance, as this bushing should outlast me.