Sloppy Shifters...

[Christ]

Has anyone else ever had a problem with their shifter being sloppy? I know the obvious fix is to replace the shifter and stabilizer bushings, but in my case, this won't fix it all...

You see, I have the old-style shift linkage, that has a plastic cup bushing under the "ball" (axis/leverage point) on the shift lever.

My shifter is not modified, other than a short throw that's been cut down 1" and re-threaded, and I installed it myself, so there are no missing/broken parts.

But, my shifter, when I change into any gear, still moves left and right, and back and forth far enough to be either in neutral or another gear, though it's sitting firmly in whatever gear I put it in... and to add to that, if I take hold of the knob, and lift up, it moves a good 1/8"- 1/4" up and down...

I'd like to find some way to cure this, and if not, I'd like to build a method to fix it... else just install a newer (longer) shift linkage from something else... since I don't really like the shift lever placement anyway, and planned on moving it back further (about 5 inches, yes, this will require mods to the floor and console, which I'm prepared for.) once I delete the e-brake handle.

Meanwhile, while I HAVE TO USE this one, I'd rather it be firm and shift in a positive fashion, not "guess and grab" like a 70's Camaro w/ a 4 speed Hurst... ya know?

[Tony]

I have this problem with my linkage. The bushing play a HUGE part in it. Atfirst I thought it was the u-joint on the linkage so I cut mine off again and welded in another one...took some of the slop out, but most of it is still there.

I had someone get in the car and move the shifter, most of it is all coming from the bushings.

[FrodoGT]

ALOT of it comes from the tranny itself. The tiniest slop at the actual selector will multiply alot by the time it hits the shifter.

[BLU CIVIC]

my shifter just rattles...think i need new shifter bushings

[Christ]

Well, I'm going to replace the bushings, but I'm going to see if I can find something with a longer linkage too, by like 5-6 inches... or if I can't, I"ll just extend the one I have...

Other than that, I'm going to fashion something to keep it from moving up and down, and eventually, the only slop that will be left is from the tranny itself. Not where the linkage bolts on, but literally inside the tranny, sloppy shims and synchros.

I also think I'm going to get rid of the U-joint for something else.... or at least put a better joint in there.

Anyone think of a linkage that is about 5-6 inches too long?

[Tony]

Good point Frodo. I will still replace my bushing first before I try going into the tranny.

dropzone: I know someone on Redpepperracing swapped the stock joint for a steering U-joint. If your going to end up making your own linkage anyways, this wouldn't be a bad idea to add in.

http://www.redpepperracing.com/forum...0&#entry372510

I also ended up making my own short shifter, but I didn't actually shorten the top part of it, I lenghtened the bottom part of it by 3/4". I think I could have gotten away with more, but I didn't want to cause any problems with the exhaust or anything. Still not as short of a throw as my cheap ebay shifter thats already been broken once, lol.

[Christ]

I took a 60% shifter and cut another 1.5 inches off it, then re-threaded it... it's now about a 40% (of stock shift throw).

[kris]

I have seen worn out spring pin slots, and the knuckle create a sloppy feel. New bushings can only solve so much.

[FrodoGT]

If you notice in the bottom left inset of that picture you posted. it shows the rod that the spring pin is pressed through. THAT bushing will wear out and cause slop, and most people never notice it because it is under the rubber boot.

[Christ]

Yeah, my spring pin is fine, I already checked it... and the pin is brand new, and slightly larger than stock... I didn't like the way the stock one went in, so I re-drilled it out a bit and installed a slightly larger one.

Where can I get a new "Shift Lever Ball Seat" and "Dust Seal A/B"?

I've been looking for those, b/c of the up/down movement of my shifter... I'd like to resolve that more than anything... I'm sure that will make me a lil happier with the shifter's movement.

[Christ]

I assume I could get a rebuild kit for the shifter from a Honda dealer, now that I'm awake and thinking about it.

[FrodoGT]

My old shifter used to be able to go down a bit if i hit it square on top, just because of the rubber bushings. and my ebay shifter actually will move up and down a bit if I pull up on it, but I dont notice it a bit while driving and its quite solid. That is because the ball was slightly smaller than the original.

[Christ]

I didn't notice when I installed this one whether the ball was smaller or not... I'll assume it is, since eBay products tend to have those little "nuances" if you will.

Still, there must be something I can do to fix it so that it's tighter, and more positive feeling while shifting... if nothing else, I'm going to end up cutting and welding a stock shifter the way I want it.