Shifter bushing replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 296
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From: Bessemer, Alabama
Shifter bushing replacement
I have a 1973 911T, 5 speed, 2.4L MFI motor, targa. My local shop told me that my shifter bushings were worn and needed replacment. My question is this... how do you replace these bushings? How difficult is the replacement? Is this something that the average guy can do? Also, where is the best place to buy the bushings?
Scott Harris
1973 911T targa
Scott Harris
1973 911T targa
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From: TX
Scott,
Replacing shifter bushings is something you can do yourself. They may have been talking about the shift coupler which resides under the metal plate on the backseat tunnel area (Pull up the carpeting and you'll see it). You can either try replacing the bushings yourself (press out the old), or just buy a new coupler. As I recall a new coupler from Porsche was around $59.
Replacing shifter bushings is something you can do yourself. They may have been talking about the shift coupler which resides under the metal plate on the backseat tunnel area (Pull up the carpeting and you'll see it). You can either try replacing the bushings yourself (press out the old), or just buy a new coupler. As I recall a new coupler from Porsche was around $59.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 296
Likes: 8
From: Bessemer, Alabama
Thanks Bill. The shop did specify that it was the bushings under the shifter that give it that "firm in place" feel. They said the bushings were located right under the shifter. I've seen sets of shifter bushings in various catalogs, but am not sure which one or ones I will need. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace them all.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: dana point, ca
they are all relatively easy to replace, with the most difficult of the bunch being the coupler bushing, under metal plate in the rear of the car. that bushing is approx. $20, so you'll save a few bucks just going with the bushing instead of the new coupler.
the trick to that one is to mark the coupler's location on the shift rod with a magic marker. this will ensure you get it back on in the same alignment as it came off. that way, you don't mess up your shifting alignment. you'll know if you did when you test drive your car. if the gears are difficult to find, or seem to "nick" another gear, you may need to tweak the shift coupler very slightly.
if you buy a new shift coupler assembly, you'll need to adjust your alignment when you install it. this is because you really won't have a point of reference with which to install the new unit. another possible plus for just changing the bushing.
the new bushing may take a little encouragement to install, but it WILL fit, trust me. don't damage it putting in it, just be firm and careful.
it is also very important to get the small screw properly aligned prior to tightening it up very tightly. if you are off in the alignment, you could strip the threads or think it is tight, when it really isn't. you'll be able to "feel" when you get screw is entering the small alignment hole properly. there is also one of these in the front of the car at the bottom of the gear shift lever.
the ones on the front are pretty easy to install. make sure you lube them up properly.
all told, this is a couple of hour job. there is a good article on this on the Pelican Parts website.
the trick to that one is to mark the coupler's location on the shift rod with a magic marker. this will ensure you get it back on in the same alignment as it came off. that way, you don't mess up your shifting alignment. you'll know if you did when you test drive your car. if the gears are difficult to find, or seem to "nick" another gear, you may need to tweak the shift coupler very slightly.
if you buy a new shift coupler assembly, you'll need to adjust your alignment when you install it. this is because you really won't have a point of reference with which to install the new unit. another possible plus for just changing the bushing.
the new bushing may take a little encouragement to install, but it WILL fit, trust me. don't damage it putting in it, just be firm and careful.
it is also very important to get the small screw properly aligned prior to tightening it up very tightly. if you are off in the alignment, you could strip the threads or think it is tight, when it really isn't. you'll be able to "feel" when you get screw is entering the small alignment hole properly. there is also one of these in the front of the car at the bottom of the gear shift lever.
the ones on the front are pretty easy to install. make sure you lube them up properly.
all told, this is a couple of hour job. there is a good article on this on the Pelican Parts website.
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From: TX
There's a cup underneath the shift lever that can crack over time. It's a $6 part from Porsche. You have to do some disassembly to get to it - there's an article about installing the Porsche short shift kit on Pelican's web site which discusses what it takes to take the tower apart. It's maybe several hours start to finish, maybe less just to do the cup. The part for the '73, which was a 901 part number, is superceded by 930.424.421.00. Put some grease in the cup before dropping the shift lever into it.
