Sloppy shifter

[worthyking]

I have WAY too much play in my shifter when in gear. It literally moves from side to side by a good couple inches. It has caused me numerous mis-shifts and a bent valve last weekend at Sebring.

I already replaced the stabilizer bushings and (white) bushing that encloses the ball, plus it's accompanying dust seal. Items 8, 11, 15 and 18 in the below diagram.

Can anyone help with suggestions on what to do to tighten it up? Or suggestions on race-grade shifter linkage options or upgrades that others have used?

[Greg Amy]

Or suggestions on race-grade shifter linkage options or upgrades that others have used?

Well, first, "upgrades" are not legal; you can use only factory (or equivalent) parts.

Second, I'd suggest that you put the car up on jackstands and crawl under with a flashlight while your wife/girlfriend/German Shepherd moves the stick around through that area of play. That way you can see where the movement is...

[JLawton]

I would also replace 4,5,12,24, 15, 16 (although hard to tell if they're bushings or fasteners) either way, I would replace EVERY bushing, sleeve or anything plastic. Check all the clips and holes to see if they are elongated. Cheap insurance.

[worthyking]

I would also replace 4,5,12,24, 15, 16 (although hard to tell if they're bushings or fasteners) either way, I would replace EVERY bushing, sleeve or anything plastic. Check all the clips and holes to see if they are elongated. Cheap insurance.

Yeah, that was my next area of attack. Good advice, thanks.

[ITA_honda]

Second, I'd suggest that you put the car up on jackstands and crawl under with a flashlight while your wife/girlfriend/German Shepherd moves the stick around through that area of play. That way you can see where the movement is...

TMI TMI

[Greg Amy]

TMI TMI

Uh, that was not an inclusive ("and") list, but exclusive ("or").

I think...

[Steven McWilliams Jr]

you need item number 28 and the c-clip that goes around it, part #1. That missing pin connects your shifter selector rod to the trans, and the shaft is freely rotating. Either the previous owner put a bolt in there and it is not up to par with the real setup (like mine was) or you have nothing in the hole. This allows the outer shaft to rotate around the transmission shaft, thus your shifter moves a lot. This pin will tighten up the play, and eliminate the sloppy shifter. I think you'll have to put in a whole 3 bucks to fix it, then punch the pin in with a hammer.

Hope this helps,
Steven

[worthyking]

you need item number 28 and the c-clip that goes around it, part #1.

Thanks. I ordered a new one today, as well as every other piece in the linkage just to be safe (# 4,5, 12, 23, 24, 25). I didn't order a new #1 because mine is still intact and didn't think it would matter being that it's essentially a cover.

If that doesn't sort it out fully then I'll spring the $50 and get a new linkage rod (part # 13).

Thanks all for your input.

[mc-integra111]

If that doesn't sort it out fully then I'll spring the $50 and get a new linkage rod (part # 13).

This is the cause of the sloppy shifter movement in my Integra. The joint at the transaxle end becomes loose and allows the extra rotation. However, this is the only source of "slop" in my system and it is not that bad and has not once caused a missed shift, so you may have some other issue.

The lower shifter bushing will help quite a bit as well (parts 4,5,12,24). Those are the parts I had to switch when I bought my car for the street and the shifter would move 6" inches side-to-side while in gear.

[280ZX3]

Item 28 caused the slop in our shifter.

We replaced the bolt that someone put in there with a roll pin and it tightened up.