the pile kicks outta 3rd and 5th

[velocitySiR]

my shift linkage is really really lose, when it's in gear you can shake it back and forth as it was in neutral, and it pops outta 3rd and 5th, i'm sure it'd come outta 1st if i kept it there long enough..... is there an easy way to fix this, i'm prolly just gonna take it somewhere because it's such a bitch to look under it, considering i can't even stick my arm underneath it.

[Moppie]

A badly worn linkage should not be pulling it out of gear.

That my friend is a synchro problem and big $$

If the linkage isnt lineing up right and not letting it get proberly into gear, or is pulling it out then STOP driving the car.
Or it will become a Synchro problem, and lots of big $$

[velocitySiR]

well how do i fix it..... it's definetly very loose.. i'm not too worried about a synchro prob i'm gettin a new tranny at the end of this summer now.... i'm sick of revving at 4krpm just going 60 mph, it's rediculous.

[Moppie]

Well in what way is it lose?

Its possible that something has come lose underneath that car, in which case you need to get under there and tighten it up. Exactly what I can't tell you with out getting under your car myself.

The other possiblity is the bushings in the bottom of the Gear stick are worn out, or the U/joint on one of the shafts is badly worn. In which case you simply need to replace them.

[FourthGenHatch]

With two jackstands you will have the room you need to get under the car, it's not a big deal, the linkage is right there and easy to access.