IrishLegend

I was out driving the new baby around luckily I was 1 block from the house when I was downshifting and the shifter would not engage into ANY gear! It was like there was nothing there, the stick just moved around freely? I then sat at the bottom of my driveway contemplating suicide or hauling *** up to Long Island to get my money back! J/K
I actually got it in reverse and then 2nd and got it in the garage.
What is this and how much is it gonna cost me to fix?

Thanks

Hilton

So you've popped the cup off the front ball, or broken the rear shift coupler.

My money's on the first alternative.

Neither is particularly hard, although some here dislike the front ball cup - spend about $30 on bushings and replace them all (1 ball cup, 2 rear shifter bushings, and 4 shift-lever bushings). With all-new bushings, the shift on a 928 isn't actually as bad as it gets portrayed.

Have you replaced the fuel lines yet?

928 at last

Brian,

Just from what you've provided, and from long personal experience, it sounds like it's just a linkage issue. Nothing to freak out about.
If you've been able to re-engage the reverse and second, it's likely something's just loose.
I know Roger has a short shift kit that might be the answer...??
Others have a lot more experience than I do though. I'm sure there'll be more tech advice coming soon.....

I see Hilton's in too.....

terry gt

Like Hilton said , front ball cup or rear coupler ,no big deal . Roger has the Lizard shifter as an option .

fbarnhill

Brian, you are lucky. Same thing happened to me on the Tappenzie bridge going into New York City in 5:00 traffic. I was in traffic and it happened and the car would not move. Those guys cussed me for hours. Traffic backed up for miles. And yes, before you guys say it, I would hve been pissed too if i was in the traffic behind. Finally I was able to get into 3rd gear and slowly got it off the bridge. Had it fixed in Manhatten Porsche for $500.00. After I got home, I discovered what the guys said above about the linkage. I don't thik it is too hard. Tedious but doable. I think there might be a write up somewhere out there about how to do it.

Good luck,

Bill Ball

If you eventually got into any gear it is most likely the front ballcup popped off or broke off and not the rear coupler. Don't let it ruin your day.

IrishLegend

thanks guys! Whew!

mickster

Lucky you are still alive!

Bill Ball

Do a search on ball cup and you will figure out the best way to fix this.

SQLGuy

It's easier to check out the rear coupler. If you jack up or can otherwise get under the back end of the car, the linkage and coupler is at the front end of the transaxle on top of the torque tube. The coupler itself is under a rubber boot that you can (with a bit of effort) stretch and pull back to expose the coupler.

If the coupler bushings are really shot, or the coupler is loose on the linkage, you'd get the symptoms you're describing... especially since 2nd and reverse would be pushing things together, while 1st and 3rd would be pulling them apart.

OTOH, the front ball cup is probably the more likely culprit, but it's harder to get a visual on.

SimonC

Have exactly the same problem and am just waiting for the parts to repair it. My guess it is the front ball joint. If so, then you have two repair alternatives - replace the threaded fitment on the end of the linkage - difficult to get to and do - or try to pop in a new plastic ball joint on the existing unit. The plastic ball joint is the same as the one on the clutch and costs only a couple of dollars. The whole threaded unit costs considerably more.

Here are some rennlist links:
http://members.rennlist.com/sharkski...iftLinkage.htm
http://www.928intl.com/tips/artcl_04.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-ball-cap.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...f-storage.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...cond-gear.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...estions-3.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...in-85-5sp.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-solved-2.html
http://www.928motorsports.com/parts/shifterballcup.php

These are the part numbers:
928 116 145 03 Clutch ball socket x 1 (the plastic ball socket to fit an existing joint)

928 424 005 01 Angular Joint x 1 (The whole joint)

999 924 002 40 Plain bearing x 4 (Bushings for the gear lever linkage)

I have to work out in the street, and I can't get to it well enough, so has to go to a professional. I'm hoping they can put the plastic joint in and pull it down onto the ball without spending too much time.

If all of this sounds like hassle, then you can go for the short shifter. I would have done, if I had known about it before I ordered the parts.

Let us know how you get on.

In the mean time, I have strapped the coupling down with wire around the torque tube, to stop it jumping off again. It has held for a couple of weeks now, but not for daily driving. I recommend you do the same.

pcar928fan

To bad Burgundy and black/can-can and automatic transmissions were not on your list... You will have this sorted and back up again in no time! Be sure to get it going within the week though as we expect to see it and you at 2nd Sat GTG in a week!

jleidel

....not to get too redundant, but this definitely sounds like a ball cup. I had the exact same thing happen to me. However, I believe there are three possible fixes.

Generally speaking,
1) replace the bushing in the existing ball cup and/or buy a whole new unit w/ the bushing installed
2) buy a solid ball cup replacement from Capt.Carl at 928 Motorsports [basically replaces the existing unit w/ a solid aluminum version]
3) buy the short shifter linkage kit from Roger at 928sRUS. This completely gets rid of the ball cup issue by replacing it with solid linkage and a short shifter

Depending on the budget and the amount of time you want to spend, I would recommend option 3. Rogers kit is not expensive and will fix the ball cup issue permanently. If you're happy with the current shift setup and just want to get back on the road, then I recommend option 1 [but be prepared to grunt a little on re-installation]

Mike Frye

There is also a 'release arm ball cup' bushing that can be replaced as well. Then your entire shift linkage will be like brand new. This one is at the top of the bell housing and requires you to remove the airbox. If yours is loose it can affect clutch feel. If it's gone you could lose the ability to engage the clutch entirely if it manages to work its way off.

Bill Ball

Mike had a nice piece on the ball cup job. He replaced the bad bushing initially, but then reported later in another thread that the cup snapped off and he had to replace the entire piece ($90?), which I think he was advised to do originally.