Shifting feels a bit notchy "sometimes"

[c5_talon]

sometimes shifting feels fine, others it feels "a bit off" like things are not quite lining up right. I heard there was an upgrade or something I can do with the shifter linkage to the transmisson...Is there any truth to this? Is there anything I can do to make my shifts (shifter/transmission) feels really sexy again?

thanks!

 

[Blitzeclips]

Symborski makes a shift kit that replaces the bushings on the primary mounts with rubber ones.($35 I believe) It reduces the slushy feeling.

That may not be your problem though. I had this same problem for a while after I installed the shifter. Thing is, there's a trick to fixing it. Seems like I put 2/3 washers/bushing on the same side, which pushed my actual shifter to the left .5" too far.
This is why the shifts felt notchy from 1st thru second, 3rd to 4th, etc..

I would remove the shift boot and make sure nothing is loose on the actuator or misalighned. Even the littlest amount can throw off the shift arm and make things feel notchy, sluggish, alogether.

Worse come to worse, it's a internal problem require disassembly of parts you do NOT want to disassemble. So check out what underneathe the boot, and try the shift kit. If the problem persists, I'd consult a transmission specialist.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I've been battling this problem for a while now.

There are two sets of bushings; one under the shifter assembly (like Blitz said) and another that connects the shifter cables to the tranny itself.

I bought the Symborski shifter kit from MachV (a little pricey at $35, and they were slow to ship it, but...). This was the only kit that I found that came with all metal bushings and a new, smaller diamter sleeve bushing. That sleeve bushing was worth the price and time in my opinion - it cleaned up a lot of the slop.

I also bought the brass tranny/shifter cable linkage bushings from Speed Source (http://www.speed-source.net/). These little bushings helped tremendously since I found that one of my stock rubber ones were torn all to hell. You can also replace the stockers with plain old rollerblade/skateboard bearings. I tried them, but they were a little to tight for my liking. You need to sand the inside of the linkage and press the bearings in with a C-clamp. I prefer using the ones that were designed for my car...

Other than that, you can try replacing the tranny fluid with some of that new synthetic ATF+4 fluid from Chrysler dealers. If you tell them you need fluid for the NV-T350 manual transmission, they should be able to help you out. You'll need 2 quarts of the stuff.

If you're still not happy, you can always replace the transmission with a newer unit with less worn synchros...

 

[c5_talon]

Thanks for the advice and the link to the speed-source website rocks!! Ill start with getting the Shifter Cable Bushing kit, Shifter Base Bushing Kit, and the Stainless Clutch hose...

 

[Blitzeclips]

Thanks for the advice and the link to the speed-source website rocks!! Ill start with getting the Shifter Cable Bushing kit, Shifter Base Bushing Kit, and the Stainless Clutch hose...

No problem. Let us know how it helps the problem..

 

[spartan]

Actually you only need 2 qts of the gear oil. I just did it this weekend to my 97 ESi, the tranny only holds 2.2 quarts or something. At $17.50 per quart I wasn't gonna spend that for .2 quarts and I have seen absolutely no ill effects, in fact the only thing I have noticed is way better shifting!

 

[talon749]

as mentioned above the brass shift linkage bushing solution is the way to go, as well as throwing on the stiff bushings this makes the shifter feel much more stiff compaired to before, ten year old rubber tends to ware out.

 

[Talon ESI-T]

Buy the three quarts so you have extra and its 8.99 a quart. Go to the dodge dealer and get ATF+4. 17.50 is the old fluid and New Venture no longer recomends it.

Terry