Mike Frye

OK, so one of the first things I did on my car when I got it was to deal with the forward shift ball cup that popped off the ball about a week after I got it.

I say 'deal with' because I didn't actually fix it, I just replaced the bushing insert for the forward shift ball cup because I couldn't get my fat hands in there or find any way to loosen it without dropping the TT.

I was pretty happy with the results because the shifting was much tighter, and with the hose clamp technique, I figured there was no way it was going to pop off again.

I was right! Unfortunately the bushing wearing out was only a warning, which I ignored.

Yesterday while driving in town it let go. I figured, OK, the hose clamp may have slipped or something, I'll get home and have a look.

What I found when I got it up in the air was that the cup had snapped clean off of the threaded shaft.

So, once again I find that Jim Bailey was right. Instead of replacing the bushing in the 20+ year old shift ball cup, I should have replaced the <$90 part and been OK for another 20 years.

Worst part is: I had one sitting on my shelf until two months ago when I traded it for a headlight relay. Now I need to get one overnighted for tomorrow.

Lesson learned.

Shark Attack

we have all been here...... Sorry.... hey um.. I don't get what was wrong with your fix? What does a hose clamp have to do with it?

Leslie 928 S2

Oh, man, that sucks, Mike. And after all that work you just got finished doing.

Kevin's gotta do the same job on mine too. We've had the part for a while now, but he never seems to get around to it. Bet he never thought that could happen though. I'm gonna tell to get on the stick, so to speak. Thanks for the warning.

Good luck!

Bret928

Ouch! Sorry to hear that. I've been there myself and hated it. But I took Jim's advice and did the whole ball cup assembly the "FIRST" time.

Bad CUP! No soup for you!....

Stromius

I am getting forward/backward slop of about 1"...this seems a candidate for the right fix. So should I just get the replacement.

Forgive me...new owner....where is the bloody thing?

Mike Frye

Kyle,

Usually the symptom is that the bushing wears out, and the cup pops off the ball, leaving your shifter waving around in the breeze.

There are a few threads on here about the fix, and all warn that once you replace the ball cup (or just the bushing, NOT) you should put a hose clamp around the TT and the tube that the shifter rod goes through to keep it from popping off again. I think a 6" one works. Some use a tie wrap.


How does that song go? "The things I didn't know at first, I learned by doin' twice".

For anyone searching this in the future: Replace the ball cup, the release arm bushing and the rear coupler bushing all at once. If any of them are bad, they're all due!!!

Mike Frye

Damstrom:

Do some searches using 'Ball cup' you'll find about a half dozen threads, some with really good pics. Basically it's underneath and just forward of your shifter. You need to get to it from underneath by removing the exhaust system, then the heat shields. It's above the torque tube. And if the slop is front-back, I think this is the culprit. If the slop is side-side, I think it's the rear coupler (above back of TT).

Oh, and if you search turns up a thread by NJSharkfan about an 'Easy method' of replacing the bushing, ignore it .

Giovanni

I am taking notes Mike, hehe, seems mine has the Combo slop, so I need to replace both cups.

Jim bailey - 928 International

If you lift up the shift boot frame from the console you can see the two shift rods the forward one should have no play when you are moving the lever. The ball and socket are at the front of the torque tube on top right next to the bell housing and as mentioned you access from below. The rear shift coupler is on the rear rod where it attaches to the trans under the rubber bellows boot.The rear should have a slight for and aft movement but no radial play.

BC

This should not be left as a wear item in my opinion. The TT need to be drilled and taped for a smooth shaft bolt so you can screw a heim joint into the front of the shift arm.

adrian928se

Any tips guys on replacing the rear coupler? + Is the rear one easier or harder to replace than the front one?

Cheers
Adrian

Jim bailey - 928 International

The rear is MUCH easier . one allan head pointed set screw and one nut /bolt is all that it takes very easy.

Andre Hedrick

Mike,

At least your head lights still work

I still have not gotten around to replacing mine from the exchange, but this makes me move it up on the priority list.

Cheers,

Mike Frye

Thanks Andre,

Yes, my headlights do work, thank you and if I need to read anything on the back wall of my garage they'll come in handy.


Don't get me wrong, second gear is definitely one of my favorites, but trying to get home and into the garage without any other gears was a bit taxing. Especially on my new clutch .

Andre Hedrick

Look on the bright side, it was not first, third, fourth, or fifth

Speaking of fifth, one of those would be nice about now

Cheers,