Mongo

Hi guys,

I just wanna get this question answered before I order my parts through AJ USA today. The only things I need for rebuilding the shift lever are the shift lever bushing and the gear shift lever itself right? I don't believe I need any replacement mounting hardware, bolts, nuts etc.

tifosiman

You will need the little washer and circlip that go on the end of the horizontal shifter pin.

Mongo

damn, I can't find those on their parts list, I think I"ll have to try Paragon then.

tifosiman

Jason/Chuck know the numbers off the top of their heads, they had them when I called a few months back.

Mongo

ah ok, I'll just phone it in then. Wait, I have the part numbers right here off Paragon in front of me
I"ll order them right now.

Thanks for the help Jeremy

Mongo

wait, how come these things can't be re-used? The circlip and washer I mean.

tifosiman

You need to hope that they are still there and in good shape. As the horizontal pin wears out, it gets sloppy and puts a lot of strain on the washer and circlip, and eventually starts wearing/abrading them down. When I took mine apart, the circlip was worn to almost nothing, and the washer had slipped over it and was laying down in the insulation. It was really toast too......

Hope that makes sense........

Mongo

ah that would make sense. Thanks again!

KuHL 951

Actually the washer and circlip wear isn't as important as how worn the shift rod bore is. All the new shift levers in the world won't give you a tight shifter if the shift rod bore is worn out like the pin. The hourglassed pin puts way more strain and wear on the shift rod. Washers and circlips are cheap, replacing a shift rod isn't. I've done 2 conversions on my cars and 3 of them on friends cars. 4 out of 5 had to have the shift rod reamed out and bushed. A new lever will feel better at first but will start the whole wear process again. Check that bore out well and do right once.

Mongo

so you're saying that I don't even need to change the circlip and washer???

I called AJ USA and they don't have the circlip and washer in stock. Jeremy, those guys up there that you mentioned; do they work for Paragon? I called them also and everyone was out to lunch.

Carrera51

I replaced my shiftboot recently and noticed that the shift clip had come off (the washer was still there). I was fiddling with it at the mechanics on a Saturday. He popped a new clip in and informed me that my shift rod was pretty worn (I guess he was referring to what 2tight describes in his post).

Great, another thing to fix...

theedge

You dont NEED the circlip, but if your lever is badly worn they will be too.

I suggest buying the new lever/etc and doing the FRWilk brass tube bushing mod. I did it recently on my car, MAJOR difference in shifting since the rod that goes to the tranny gets worn funny and thus wont even shift right with a new lever. Before I could wiggle my shifter in gear at least an inch side to side, now its maybe half that, and the motion is MUCH smoother and precise. Also use some grease where the ball mount of the lever goes into its bushing cup, thatll make it shift even smoother.

Yes its a pain to drill the rod out, but after that youll never have to buy another lever again, just keep a length of brass tubing around for the bushings.

Mongo

the wear is not that bad, the side to side play is about 2 inches thats all.

KuHL 951

the wear is not that bad, the side to side play is about 2 inches thats all.
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Andy Serrato

Side to side play of 2 inches is about 1-3/4" too much.

I'm not saying you don't need washers or circlips, but they are less than $2 at the dealer so get new ones. What I'm saying is if the shift rod bore is worn out also, you need to either bush it with the shouldered nylon 931 bushings (ala. dietermotorsports method) or do the brass bushing method like Brian mentioned. The brass method requires much more work. The best thing about the nylon bushings is they eliminate all metal-to-metal contact and can be replaced easily for $2.80 if they do wear out. Mine have lasted more than 15 months so far and my shifter doesn't move more than 1/8" when in any gear. The more play, the more wear.

Mongo

I'll definitely have to do that mod, but don't have the time to, I'll contact my Porsche dealer today and get the clips and washers. Thanks everyone for your help. If I seem a bit nervous I've had too much coffee and this will be my first lever rebuild.

Like Tweak from South Park says: TOO MUCH PRESSURE!!