Polyurethane shifter bushings

[Heep]

Anyone know anything about polyurethane shifter bushings? My shifter is getting kinda stiff, so I was thinking about replacing the bushings with poly's...they aren't expensive, so cost isn't any big deal, but what are the advantages over stock? Smoother shift action? Would it make the shifter vibrate less?

[Trigger351]

They will take any slop out of the linkages and give you a more direct "feel". I think they will also transfer more vibration to the stick. Get em anyway

[Heep]

Are they hard to install? Where exactly do they go?

Thanks for the info, anyway Trigger

[Thunda Downunda]

Heep, I'm unfamiliar with your Ford but hope this helps.
If your shifter action is stiff, rather than sloppy, perhaps it's coz the existing bushes are dry of lubricant, not worn out. Usually these are highly-exposed, and a regular service (lube) item, often overlooked.

I find packing the bushes in the (exposed, not internal) linkage rods of my GM-car's shifter with a quality Molybdenum-Dysulphide grease ( the really thick black goo-ey stuff, eg Castrol LMM) really transforms the shift action, without having to suffer the $$ of purchasing and installing new bushes. This stuff REALLY lasts, and is perfect for chassis-lube as well. More expensive, but lots cheaper in the long-run.

For a quick fix try using an aerosol spray-lube, but I found this washed out every 3 months, rather than 'once in a blue moon' as with moly. If the stiffness persists, perhaps you might want to check or replace the gear oil - tired 2nd gear synchros are are often assisted by a mix of gear oil and 30% automatic trans fluid (ATF). ATF has an incredibly high shear-point (remains on the gear-facings under pressure) yet is thin and flows better, particularly when cold. (btw, Mercedes-Benz recommends 100% ATF for my S-class manual (stick). Also, if your car uses a cable-shift mechanism, instead of rods, perhaps these are either dry, worn, or out of adjustment.

Finally, my experience with poly suspension bushes has been dismal, an advertising-image-oriented overpriced con-job, majorly worsening NHV (noise-vibration-harshness) for a perceived, rather than real, street-drive benefit. Personally, a shifter constantly going BZZZZZTTT on the highway would drive me nuts. Usually, obscure low-demand OE (factory Original-Equipment) parts like bushes are heaps cheaper to buy, and of far superior quality. Proper OE rubber bushes require an expensive, dedicated high-pressure manufacturing system, rather that the low-pressure el-cheapo 'slop-it-in-the-mould' polyeurathane/nylon etc aftermarket junk.

[Heep]

I already have the constant BZZT on the highway

Thanks for the info...I can get poly bushings for a mere $11 Canadian though, so price isn't really a concern.

[Thunda Downunda]

You might find OE costs $3 Canadian.
Does your car use a rod or cable linkage system?
If the gear lever didn't dance originally, I reckon OE is the sensible choice. Certainly, poly will be worse for NHV.

[Heep]

I don't know, I think rod. I didn't get the car until it was 9 years old, so I don't know what it was like new.

[Thunda Downunda]

Ok, so 2 problems: Shifter action stiff, and the BZZTT.

From so far away it's difficult to offer definative advice, but I would bet these 2 probs are inter-related.

You should dwell on where/why/how the vibration is transmuting - what worn parts are conducting/allowing the vibes through? A heavy hand when shifting can actually bend shifter-rods, allowing them to touch vibrating parts and thus giving you the vibes, also the stiffness (binding). This happened to my GM-Holden, excessive force caused by dry linkages. Or one or more (best to replace all, once dismantled) bushes are worn out, hence allowing metal-to-metal contact and even mis-aligning the rod as you shift, thus both transmitting the vibes and causing the stiff action.

Is the Fords centre console easily removable, for inspection of the shifter? Maybe you can drive around this way, feeling with your hand on the mechanism, to trace the vibe to its source? Also closely inspect the shift mechanism under the hood, the bushes/rods etc where it goes into the gearbox, and for interference of the linkage. Rod shifter mechanisms traditionally transmit more vibes (and better feel) than cables.

After a good look - and a few beers - all should become clear!
Good luck anyway, I hope to have provided a few clues. If not, the beer excuse will help compensate.

You can bet your bottom dollar that your car wouldn't have been the sales-success it was, if it had a noisy shifter from new. I understand these Fords in the US/Canada employed both Mazda and Ford engines. Here they were Mazda only, known as the 'KH' model Ford Laser, using 1.8, and 2.0 litre DOHC turbo in 2, and also 4wd models - the latter a real road-rocket.

[Heep]

The centre console is extremely easy to remove, what I can see is just where the shifter goes into the floor, and there's a bunch of yellowy lube stuff around the base of the shifter. I'll check the linkage a little later today.

I'm familiar with the Ford Lasers....cool cars, especially the TX3's Of course, I'm a little partial. There is one front end (stock) I have seen on several Lasers that I'd like to get for my car, the grill curves outward at the top, and has one large slat in it. Also, I've seen Laser's with rear wipers, which was also not offered in North America (but I'd really like to have it). Anyway, thanks for the info.