Shifter Bushing Orientation

[GregAmy]

I bought a shifter bushing kit from Pelican which included the polygraphite bushings for the yoke on the front of the shift shaft. They have a half-circle flange on them, with no obvious reason or indication on what orientation that semi-circle should be clocked when pressed in. My originals are completely gone so I can't tell how it goes. Does it matter how they're clocked? If not, why the semi-circle? Thanks!

- GA

[jimbeaux911]

I dont think it matters. I just replaced mine, and once in they are snug. not sure why they are there in the first place, perhaps to allow for heating expansion? or allow one to pry them out?

[GregAmy]

Thanks. I just installed them, putting the non-flanged end toward the firewall, as it appears it's more likely to contact there than anywhere. Seems to shift fine...shrug...

[GregAmy]

Ok, so I figured out it: because I "wuz doin' it wrong".

I thought the bushings simply pushed in from the outside; nope, that would be too easy, huh? Instead, you have to press out the center pin of the shaft, and drive the bushings from the inside outward. That's why there's a semi-circle flange there, so they'd fit and not slide all the way out...

Those That Know are thinking "oh, he didn't know that?" Nope. Remember, my bushings were all completely gone, nothing left in there.

So I managed to correct that situation in a half-hour or so with a bench vice, c-clamp, and judicious use of varying sockets and washers. Mystery solved.

Shifts good now, too.

- GA

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Glad you figured it out! I guess I didn't understand what you were originally asking.

The outer housing is not very strong, so it's a good idea to support it well--and avoid putting pressure directly on it if practical!

--DD

[GregAmy]

:thumbs-up: We can thank Mr Chris Foley for that one; he "clue-by-4'd" it for me as we were enjoying a beer on Saturday. I'd call it a clear "dum-de-dum" moment...

Too bad there's not an easy way to ensure those stay retained from the outside; the poly bushings I got from you seem to fit in there pretty snug and would likely stay in place long-term. I'd not be surprised if you could wrap the outside of the yoke in something to retain them without affecting the function. But then again, the vice/c-clap/sockets method worked easily enough, just took some thought and time to avoid damaging the softer yoke.

Certainly a strange design...

- GA

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

They stay retained because of those flanges; those are much bigger than the bore for the bushing and keep the bushing from moving out. The rear part of the rod keeps them from moving in, and the pin keeps the joint together. No need for wrapping anything, because the bushings will stay in place as long as the flanges are there.

And if those break off, the bushing has already failed well past the point where it should have been replaced.

--DD

[GregAmy]

Understand, Dave. What I was saying is that they should/could be designed to stay in place if inserted from the outside; they fit in there snugly enough where I suggest they'd probably stay in place.

And if you do it that way, it's a 5-minute job with no disassembly required.

[Joe Ricard]

Greg Welcome to German engineering. Once you start think like a Porsche Engineer all this stuff gets easier.