jdcrank

The shifter in my car is most definitely the worst shifter I have ever wrapped my hand around.It seems like I have a couple of bad synchros in the transmission,as both reverse and first gears grind unless you ease the selector in gingerly.Second gear is unattainable without horrific sounds,unless you begin in second from a standstill.I have begun to simply go from first to third,however the shifter is so bad that one never knows what gear is selected until the clutch pedal is released and the tach is checked for revs.Most times first and third appear to be in the exact same place on the shift pattern.Is there anything,short of removing the transmission, that can alleviate some of this?Is this a common malady?I find it difficult to believe that a car of this caliber would have such a piece of crap for a shifter.I have a fair amount of mechanical ability and access to shop manuals,but the mention of countless "special tools"spooks me.Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

carbonfiber

Check the condition of the shift coupler at the rear where the shift rail enters the transmission above the torque tube. When I bought my 1982 it had similar shifting slopiness and that was the culprit. Replacement bushings are the same as the 911 shift coupler.
JIM

checkmate1996

Short Term:
+1

Also, make sure the front shifter coupler bushing is not hosed. Also, look at the the springs and bushings where the shifter connects to the shift rods. Sometimes those get shot. The new short shifters offered by the big three do away with the antiquated springs and just use bushings.
Long Term:

Finally, if you are getting grinding, your tranny will NEED to be fixed, i.e. synchos. At that point, you might as well replace the torque tube as that is probably original too..

GL

jdcrank

Thanks for the tips.I guess I'll just try to limp along for the summer and tear into it over the winter.The car only has 85,000 miles,and I just completed a timing belt water pump job.I might try to look into the bushings this weekend.Is a synchro job something best left to the pros,or could a reasonable backyard mechanic undertake it?My first 928 had an automatic,and I swore I'd never get another,now I'm not so sure!

checkmate1996

Some people have done the synchro rebuild themselves. I belive Jyoon has a good write up. If I recall, he did for $800 or so. I don't know if you need special tools but I had heard you do. Several people have tore into their trannies and have had really good posts with pics, just do some archive searces on the subject.

If you are not so inclined, you may want a professional do the synchro rebuild..