My Shift Lever Rattles...

[DOCTORBILL]

Something new has started....

My shift lever rattles.

If I put my hand on it, it stops rattling.

Any suggestions on what to do about that?

[ammcf1]

Sounds like a personal problem to me... (hee, hee) Sorry, I had to say that.

I don't know what to do about it...

[Crvett69]

its probably the plastic bushings in one end of the shifter rod that runs from the shifter to the transmission. either that or one of the bolts is loose. should be able to get a new shifter rod from wrecking yard or the bushings from a dealer. its also possible something in the shifter itself. should be able to remove the boot and take a look at it and check under car and make sure rod isn't to close to exhaust

[flashlight]

I would have to agree with Crvett69 as I just replaced the whole shifter rod mount on mine, because it had broken. AS soon as I got a new one in there it didn't rattle or move excessively anymore.

[DOCTORBILL]

My shifter stopped rattling for a couple of years, but now it is really going ape.

Don't know why it stopped or why it is starting up again...it is my '93 Metro AKA "The Phoenix".

I will look under the shift lever, but I don't remember how to lift it up.

What holds it in place?

The weather is crappy so it may be a while before I can get under the car.

Been losing power since winter weather started (gas plus ethanol?) so now I am Seafoaming the
gas and I'll pour some down the Throttle Body until the engine dies and let it set overnight.

I wouldn't doubt that the EGR is full of carbon - as well as the TB EGR gallery.

DoctorBill

PS - wouldn't any used assembly be pretty much as worn out as mine probably is ?

[Johnny Mullet]

You got to get the car safe on stands and get under the car and you will see the long rod and there are bushings where it connects to the bottom of the shift lever and bushings on the trans connection. Check for looseness.

[DOCTORBILL]

Finally, I had to go to a shop to have the rattle looked at.

Too rainy, muddy, windy and cold for me to do it on my driveway.

Yes - loose bushings.

Had the mechanic cut some plastic from a Clear Plastic Safeway Salad
package and wrap it around the link bolt to take up the space.

I am pretty sure I cannot buy new plastic bushings anywhere.

No rattles now - and no worries.

DoctorBill

[Johnny Mullet]

New bushings are available at the dealer for like $5.00 each.

[Woodie83]

Originally Posted by DOCTORBILL

Been losing power since winter weather started (gas plus ethanol?) so now I am Seafoaming the gas and I'll pour some down the Throttle Body until the engine dies and let it set overnight.

I wouldn't doubt that the EGR is full of carbon - as well as the TB EGR gallery.

This has me worried. The loose bushings allow the rattle, but the engine is the genesis of the vibration. Often when guys say their shifter shakes all over, it ends up being a burnt valve.

Clogged EGR will not effect the car's performance in any way, it might even run a little bit better with the EGR clogged. It's bad for the engine in the long run, and it's bad for emissions, but it's not going to cause any driveablility issues.

[DOCTORBILL]

Johnny Mullet
"New bushings are available at the dealer for like $5.00 each."

Are these available via NAPA or Schucks ?

What is the part name ?

Usually just calling it the right name is half the battle !

DoctorBill

[Johnny Mullet]

DOCTORBILL, I will go to work tomorrow and get the GM part # from the 4 bushings I picked up for my Metro and the wife's Metro. You can then call up any GM dealer and they can order them up for you. Please give me the weekend to get this info since I am going out of town for the weekend.