New shifter slop? Bushings gone?

[Jgordon]

In the last few days I've noticed some slop in the stick. This is an 89 g50. It's loose in gear (more lateral play than I'm used to), and when I shift or take it out of gear, there's almost an extra detente in the movement once I pull it out of the slot, if that makes sense. Plus a small noise. First the noise f pulling it out f gear. And then a small "pop" or "chunk".

I assume I need to replace my shifter bushings but wanted to get your thoughts.

Thanks.

[86 911 Targa]

^^^^^
Also, perhaps coupler repair.

This is what mine looked like prior to repair.

Best,

Gerry

[jlex]

I replaced the bushing on my '88 G50 last year. It shifted just fine, but I could hear a bit of a clunk. Bushing was clearly deteriorated. It had only 34,000 miles on it, so time must play havoc with the plastic.

[millermike]

The brass coupler bushings are expensive at $54 but machined to tight tolerances and I assume they will last along time.

[autojack]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but my 88 car has always felt a little harder to shift than I would like. I've changed the gearbox oil but it didn't make a significant difference. I've been wondering if checking these bushings and other linkages would be the next thing to do. The car has 130k miles on it.

[jlex]

Yep; at that kind of mileage, I'd definitely take a look at the shifter bushing and the coupler bushings. I'd have a new shifter bushing on hand just in case you pull things apart & see pieces sitting in the well. You ought to be able to see the action of the coupler bushing pretty easily without any big disassembly

[rnln]

When my shift bushing was gone, I didn't feel and anything/noise until one day I couldn't shift in gear, very hard to.

Originally Posted by Jgordon

In the last few days I've noticed some slop in the stick. This is an 89 g50. It's loose in gear (more lateral play than I'm used to), and when I shift or take it out of gear, there's almost an extra detente in the movement once I pull it out of the slot, if that makes sense. Plus a small noise. First the noise f pulling it out f gear. And then a small "pop" or "chunk".

I assume I need to replace my shifter bushings but wanted to get your thoughts.

Thanks.

[sky1jord]

Just replaced the then-disintegrated shift rod bushing (950 424 224 03) two weeks ago, in order to resolve a rattling-in-gear shifter. I really had no noticeable shifting problems, I thought, but it's smooth as a baby's behind now. The procedure, found on the forum, is a giant PITA, but it's gotta get done.

[Jgordon]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

^^^^^
Also, perhaps coupler repair.

This is what mine looked like prior to repair.

Best,

Gerry

Yikes.

Originally Posted by millermike

The brass coupler bushings are expensive at $54 but machined to tight tolerances and I assume they will last along time.

Where did you order them? I assume I'd need a press to get them in, which I don't have, but I looked around and can't find them. Thanks.

Originally Posted by jlex

Yep; at that kind of mileage, I'd definitely take a look at the shifter bushing and the coupler bushings. I'd have a new shifter bushing on hand just in case you pull things apart & see pieces sitting in the well. You ought to be able to see the action of the coupler bushing pretty easily without any big disassembly

Will do. Haven't had the opportunity yet but I figure while I'm doing one I should do the other.

Originally Posted by rnln

When my shift bushing was gone, I didn't feel and anything/noise until one day I couldn't shift in gear, very hard to.

I'm not at that point, so I'm curious as to whether that's representative of all bushing failures or just yours...

Originally Posted by sky1jord

Just replaced the then-disintegrated shift rod bushing (950 424 224 03) two weeks ago, in order to resolve a rattling-in-gear shifter. I really had no noticeable shifting problems, I thought, but it's smooth as a baby's behind now. The procedure, found on the forum, is a giant PITA, but it's gotta get done.

Seems like it.

Anything else I should do? Pelican mentions the reverse lockout spring as something to replace as long as the shift box is apart.

Thanks again.

[rwest]

My coupler just disintegrated too. The while you're in there is to replace the cup bushing and shaft bushing that are accessed by removing the shifter housing- very easy to do.

There are also several different coupler choices- I bought the Stomski and it is a work of art. I still need to adjust it, but initial shifting felt good. You can see the other two bushings and the Stomski in this picture of my mess.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by Jgordon

Yikes.



Where did you order them? I assume I'd need a press to get them in, which I don't have, but I looked around and can't find them. Thanks.



Will do. Haven't had the opportunity yet but I figure while I'm doing one I should do the other.



I'm not at that point, so I'm curious as to whether that's representative of all bushing failures or just yours...



Seems like it.

Anything else I should do? Pelican mentions the reverse lockout spring as something to replace as long as the shift box is apart.

Thanks again.

There has to be a machine shop in your area.

Gerry

[millermike]

I bought them on this site. You don't need a machine shop to install the brass bushings. Just spray it with wd40, put a nickel over it so it doesn't get dings, put a socket over it and lightly tap it in. I have a press but wouldn't use it on this. The bushings come with installation instructions

[cabmandone]

You don't need a press to get the brass bushings in place. You just need to be careful when you drive them in. I don't have a press and I installed my brass bushings at home.

[HaroldMHedge]

Based on your description, I agree you probably need new shifter bushings. Since your car is an 89 G50 (assuming Carrera 3.2) you do not have the coupler bushing shown so far which are for an earlier cars.

G50 coupling


Here are a couple of good shifter rebuild threads and TSBs on the shifter rattle:
Is a chattering sound normal starting out in 1st gear? '88 Carrera
G-50 shift tower bushings
G50 Rattle

Parts list that I used.

999-701-969-40 O-ring for gearshift lever/head shift rod (This is for shifter rattles.)
950-424-224-03 Shift sleeve/friction ring
911-424-139-01 Shift/ball socket
999-701-012-50 O-ring
999-701-923-40 O-ring


For lubricant of the O-rings and movable parts, I used plumber's grease since it has less of a chance of damaging the O-rings and plastics used in the shifter.

Harold
87 Carrera Coupe

[Walt Fricke]

Harold - I thought the G50 coupler was different! The ones pictured (other than the Stomski) are the same design Ferdinand (or his engineers) used for the VW and the 356 - half a U joint to deal with axial centerline misalignment (things line up fine horizontally).

The new one is a different deal altogether to solve shaft concentricity issues. It is similar to the "rag joint" used to deal with slight misalignments. The steering shaft connects to the rack and pinion assembly with a similar, though thicker, joint.

Am I right that you have to get under the car to adjust the G-50 for side to side and fore and aft motions? Or are things so precise that the iteration often used for the 915 is unnecessary?

[HaroldMHedge]

Walt,

No you don't have to go under the car. The adjustment is done by sliding the shifter assembly forward and aft to get 5 mm distance between shift rod bushing, 950-424-224-03, and shift rod head, 950-424-241-01. Measurement at location D in the first photo of the TSB below. I believe the under the car linkages are all hard mounted i.e. bolted together with no adjustment. By replacing my bushings and setting the 5 mm adjustment my shifter became tight again with no free play.

Originally Posted by MBEngineering

HI -Ryan
You could try this, I posted on hear,

Engine vibration at 3000rpm - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

and this below is for your education purpose only,











with this you should be able to make it a little quieter.

regards mike

[Jgordon]

Haven't had the opportunity to open it up, but I'm pretty sure the issue is in the shifter box, rather than the coupler. Do the couplers wear out as quickly? Is it a "while you're in there" type replacement? Lastly, would I need to unbolt the coupler to remove and reinstall the shifter box?

Thanks again.

[azhodge]

your shifter bushing is toast. forget the coupler. changing the bushings in the shifter will piss you off enough without looking for more trouble at the coupling....just my thoughts...

[megerian]

Read this thread:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/616561-shifter-bushing-question.html

[Jgordon]

Finally got the time and ability to do this job. It turns out the ball/socket was fine, albeit a little bored out, but I replaced it. The shaft bushing was the culprit, and had cracked into several pieces.

This was a very simple job, in all honesty. The issue that cost me the most time was trying to disassemble the controls in the center console while making sure not to breathe on the temperature probe for my AC system. I spent maybe an hour and a half on that, before realizing I had enough play to simply set the console on its side with the controls still in place.

Another area that people have cited as an issue is chewing up the interior O-ring in the shift box. After fiddling with it for a while, I realized the best way to keep it in place was to pop the plastic dual-plane piece partly into the shift box, then jam my pinky into the side to stabilize the O-ring while I fiddled the plastic piece the rest of the way into the box.

The funniest part was pulling what appeared to be two sex toys out of the mechanism. Everyone at my friend's shop had a good laugh at Hans leaving his c*ck ring in my car. I assume these were the elastics referenced in the factory bulletin about vibrations (not helping the sex toy reference at all here). I pulled one off the shaft, and one was hanging on the stick. Not sure when they broke; could have been years ago, or they might have let go when the shaft bushing disintegrated. I replaced both of them with zip ties.



My shift coupler was decent, but I had ordered the Jwest piece. Just didn't have enough time to replace it; will do so next time.

I was so frustrated with the center console that when I finally got it off, I forgot to mark where my shift box bolts were. After the fact, I simply tightened it in and ran the stick through the gears. I didn't have positive engagement on 2 and 4, so I adjusted the box back a bit. When I was satisfied with the engagement, I tightened everything back up.

I haven't driven one of these cars new, so I can't say it shifts like new. It certainly shifts more smoothly, and with less vibration overall. The most unexpected change was a smoother gear change. When I release the clutch, there's much less of a judder/stutter than there was, making driving much more of a pleasure and the whole process smoother.

I'd highly recommend this as a maintenance item, rather than waiting for the bushings to give out.

Thank you all for your input.