OverBoosted28

Trying to help out my brother in law, and doing some maintenance items. Was gonna change coupler bushings and make sure shifter is aligned properly. Any way to determine if present coupler bushings are shot, or not? There doesn't (visually) appear to be any play, when I try to move it. It's an 86 Carerra. If they're original, should I assume they need replacing. Thanks, a few thing are pretty different from my 993 :-)

theiceman

the plastic bushing can become elongated where the shaft goes into them , check that with a mirror as pulling the coupler out means realigning when you put back in . If all looks good your coupler is probably fine .

There is also a donut type one that supports the shift rod at the front and a cup that the shift rod fits into . Although I find these are often okay.

here are some before and after pics of mine.

if you do change these bushings be very careful and support the coupler properly or it will break. it is a cast piece.

OverBoosted28

Thanks "iceman", It looked fairly new, and couldn't tell if it had excessive play, by moving it around. I'll re-visit it if it needs it.

theiceman

usually when they get bad the bushing is literally broken and falling out, id bet yours is fine..

r911

likely fine

OTOH, you can blueprint the shifter using the info that Sherwood lee provides on his website (rennsomething.com)

Coloradocurt

Not exactly like these are "break-the-bank" items if you're doing the work yourself.
On my newly acquired 85 3.2 Carrera I changed them all out.

Jason @ Paragon Products

If you're going to change the coupler bushings you may as well change them all:

http://www.paragon-products.com/Shif...it%2069-86.htm

theiceman

that's a good kit Jason and should take of everything . Are they all Delrin ?

OverBoosted28

I got that kit, but just don't feel like messing with it right now. I gotta get my car sorted for another track event in a couple of weeks. While getting car up to do oil and TF, found ARB mount is torn away on pass. side. Couldn't get fill plug outta trans, so may weld nut on plug, while welding in new ARB consoles. Fun stuff. Simple things, that take way too long to complete/fix.

OverBoosted28

Thanks all for the help.

theiceman

aw man that fill plug is a pain in the ***.. is it the internal 17mm hex ? or the plug you can get a wrench on ? I imagine its the 17mm internal. I have good luck with welding in the head of a bolt then double ut the bolt. I think the heat of the tac welder did most of the work. just gotta be carefull of that damn CV.

Jason @ Paragon Products

The coupler bushings are Daystar polygraphite. I edited this because I confused the 914 coupler bushing part number with the 911 part. The difference is the 911 bushing has a round hole in the middle whereas the 914 has an oval hole. So, or the 911 applications we use the Daystar bushings.
The other two bushings are OEM plastic of some sort.

tgil

Ive had positive experience replacing shifter bushings on an '84 911, as the coupler looked new, and the bushings are low cost items.

To improve my shifting experience on my 53k mile 1980, Ive sourced Stomski Racing's Coupler and the 2 new shifter bushings. Regarding the shifting adjustment, it is a bit tricky and requires only very small adjustments at the Coupler area, and you can find a few installation and adjustment videos on Google searches and via Stomski Racing. I have no affiliation with Stomski but was very pleased with the quality of the engine and trans mounts I bought and installed a few months ago.
Good luck.

Jason @ Paragon Products

Another option for those wanting an upgraded coupler with delrin bushings already installed:

http://www.paragon-products.com/Shif....024.04blt.htm

DaviMcK

Got the bushing arm off- not easy, scored out the broken white plastic cup bushings, pressed in the new cups, but how in the world do you push the arm back onto the two metal *****? The front one I used a floor jack and it slipped up and on. The ball under the actual shifter would break if I put that kinda force on it. Anyone else have this issue? Any suggestions. I greased the ball too. At first I put grease in the cup but thought that could create an air bubble which would prohibit it slipping on. I’m at a loss.