arbeitm

My shifter has some side to side play in it (about 3/4" - 1"). So I replaced the shift lever and bushing but it still has about the same play in it. I've seen the DIY on how to drill out the shift lever rod hole and put in the plastic bushings, but I don't think I need to do that. The shift lever seems tight in there. It seems to me that the play is more in the shift rod than in the lever.

What else should I check?

Mighty Shilling

I dunno, but did you know that Arbeiten is the german verb for "to work"?

arbeitm

I did.

Mighty Shilling

awesome....see? my german class is paying off!

jc22

Check the linkage where it attaches to the transmission. I reduced some play by tightening a few things back there. Do a search and you should find some more info on that.

arbeitm

Actually that's the first thing I tried before I replaced the shift lever. They were tight. Maybe I'll check them again.

Is there anything else that could wear out back there that might be the cause?

packfill

It is usually the hole in the shift rod where the shift lever inserts. You can either buy a new shift rod, or drill the hole to 7/16" and sleeve the shift lever with a brass tube (.9") from a hobby store.....This takes about 15 minutes and mine is literally BETTER than new.......

theedge

Drilling the rod will tighten it up a lot more. I did the brass bushing combined with a new shifter, much nicer.

sm

Were you able to drill the rod while it was still in the car? I want to be sure I can get a drill bit in there straight.

Thanks.

Dark Lightning

Any solutions for a sticky-feeling shifter? My 951 feels like I'm stiring frozen cookie dough and it will only sometimes re-center itself. If I let go of it in neutral between 1-2, it may or may not return to inbetween 3-4.

KuHL 951

Yes it can be done in the car. I cut a shop rag to slip over the shift tube to catch all the drill cuttings and to keep from scratching the console. Keep the end of the tube wedged as high as it will go before you start. I used a C-clamp and a block of wood. Just go slow in 1/16" increments, use cutting oil, and your new hole will be straight and clean.

theedge

Yes I did it in the car. I removed the whole center console to make it easier and to lessen the risk of buggering it up

http://frwilk.com/early944/misc/shifter.htm

MHT

John, the shift rod runs through a cavity in the foam rubber insulation above the torque tube, if the rubber is in the wrong place it can drag on the linkage. If you pull up your shift boot and the rubber boot you may be able to see if there is a problem in that area.

chilix

you need to check both the linkage at the tranny and the actually shift lever for ware.

i had the same problem with my 944 when i bought it. what i did was spend about $200 or less on a new shifter linkage for the transmission, the part that actually moves, and also a new bolt for the shifter lever. i drilled out the arm to fit a slightly larger bolt. next i sawed off the old bolt on the shifter lever and put a bigger bolt in it's place from a hardware store, grade 8 metal, once the bolt was welded in i placed the bolt into the shifter arm and tied it down with a nut on the end. once adjusted correctly my shifter felt like new with no play at all.