New Product: Precision Shifter Ball Cup
#1
Developer
Thread Starter
New Product: Precision Shifter Ball Cup
At this year's 928 Motorsports convention/Labor day Races at Road America, my Shifter Ball Cup failed. It was One year old. I had replaced it when I serviced the torque tube and transaxle last year.
As fun as this part is to get at and replace, this wasn't funny.
The post-mortem revealed the ball cup was fine - its just that the nylon cup liner was nowhere to be found. Gone.
The nylon cup liner will, like most nylon products, go soft at temps above 220 degrees, and will certainly loose it strength and its shape. At higher temps than that, it can literally phase-change into a liquid.
I figure that the combination of the 95 degree day and the hot exhaust pipes mounted under the torque tube is more than enough to exceed the 220 degree limits of the nylon part.
I designed an all-steel replacement that can be adjusted for drag/stiffness, can be installed from under the car, and will never wear out.
These photos are of the finished product without the yellow chromate plating. The plating is being done to them now and will provide excellent rust resistance.
Because you can adjust the drag/clamping force on the ball, this ball cup will provide the most precise shifts possible as there is absolutely no for-and-aft play in the shifter linkage.
See for yourself: Connie will have a table top demonstration model in our booth at Sharktoberfest. Stop by and examine it!
As fun as this part is to get at and replace, this wasn't funny.
The post-mortem revealed the ball cup was fine - its just that the nylon cup liner was nowhere to be found. Gone.
The nylon cup liner will, like most nylon products, go soft at temps above 220 degrees, and will certainly loose it strength and its shape. At higher temps than that, it can literally phase-change into a liquid.
I figure that the combination of the 95 degree day and the hot exhaust pipes mounted under the torque tube is more than enough to exceed the 220 degree limits of the nylon part.
I designed an all-steel replacement that can be adjusted for drag/stiffness, can be installed from under the car, and will never wear out.
These photos are of the finished product without the yellow chromate plating. The plating is being done to them now and will provide excellent rust resistance.
Because you can adjust the drag/clamping force on the ball, this ball cup will provide the most precise shifts possible as there is absolutely no for-and-aft play in the shifter linkage.
See for yourself: Connie will have a table top demonstration model in our booth at Sharktoberfest. Stop by and examine it!
#2
Developer
Thread Starter
For the curious, here are the steps to install the new Precision Shifter Ball Cup.
I thought they might make it easier to understand.
Photos are from the top for clarity - but it is designed so that it can be installed from the bottom of the car as you would expect.
I thought they might make it easier to understand.
Photos are from the top for clarity - but it is designed so that it can be installed from the bottom of the car as you would expect.
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#10
Developer
Thread Starter
Can this be installed with the torque tube in situ?
#11
Craic Head
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Lifetime Rennlist
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Spent several hours on several weekends working out how to remove and replace mine. Now that I've got it in, you build a better mousetrap.
Any ideas for the rear coupler?
There's a little play designed into that one too, and when those bushings wear out it's a B!TCH to get that little set screw out.
Very nice design. Well done.
#14
Rennlist Member
Nicely done
You may wish to add an instruction note to adjust the threading depth into the shift rod to bring the shift lever to vertical .... then snug the lock nut.
You may wish to add an instruction note to adjust the threading depth into the shift rod to bring the shift lever to vertical .... then snug the lock nut.
#15
Craic Head
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Lifetime Rennlist
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BTW- For anyone who is not familiar with Carl's stuff,. Any phrase that contains '928 Motorsports' and 'Precision' is redundant.
Where did I leave that wish list...
Where did I leave that wish list...