1G Transmission detent springs

[AWD-Tony]

Can I stretch the detent springs in the trans? I don’t have an issue shifting but I don’t really feel the clicks when shifting. Obviously just a few millimeters

 

[rabenne]

I have wondered about shimming them for extra detent force. I am not sure if it would cause issues or not, but I think it would feel much better. I got a fresh built transmission that still doesn't have the shift-feel I want. Hopefully someone with experience can point this in the right direction.

 

[AWD-Tony]

I just shifted the trans from the lever that's on the trans and it actually feels good. Shimming might not be a bad idea and I think you're right, what can it hurt? As long as you're shimming just a few millimeters, I really don't see an issue. And yeah I'd like to hear from someone with more knowledge on this too.

 

[DSMPT]

Shimming should work. I think you can use some washers that have approx. 8mm OD.
I have never tried it on DSM personally so can't be so sure but I know that RX7 guys in Japan doing this method to adjust the shifting smoother/harder, especially when they switch to a short stroke shifter. When you want to make it smoother, put some shim under the plug flange. If you want make it harder, put it under the spring.

 

[rabenne]

That is the behavior I would expect based on how it works. I would just try it but my car is off the road til spring. Also, I am working on a custom shifter project that needs to be finished before I bother trying to adjust the feel.

 

[AWD-Tony]

1st 2nd, 3rd 4th, 5th R left to right. 23.3mm compared to 25.5

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[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I wonder why 1-2 spring is shorter...???

 

[AWD-Tony]

If you look closely, you can that it’s bent and that was towards the bearing. I installed shims and stretched that spring back and it feels much tighter. Idk if that’ll translate the feel inside but my guess would be yes. @DSMPT you are on the money w 8mm diameter

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Good info, thanks guys!!!

 

[DSMPT]

1st 2nd, 3rd 4th, 5th R left to right. 23.3mm compared to 25.5

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I wonder why 1-2 spring is shorter...???

I think your springs are mixed with the early and the late 1gs. 1G has 2 part numbers, 89/09.1 - 91/05 (MD723617, the shorter smaller coil pitch) and 91/05.3 - 93.05 (MD741337, the taller larger coil pitch).
I have 3 trans now and checked all springs. My early gvr4 trans has approx. 24mm for all 3 springs (MD723617, the left one in the pic), a dogbox that used to be a 91 trans has approx. 23.5mm (MD723617, the left one in the pic). and a 1gb trans has approx. 25mm (MD741337, the right one in the pic).

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[AWD-Tony]

I think your springs are mixed with the early and the late 1gs. 1G has 2 part numbers, 89/09.1 - 91/05 (MD723617, the shorter smaller coil) and 91/05.3 - 93.05 (MD741337, the taller larger coil).
I have 3 trans now and checked all springs. My early gvr4 trans has approx. 24mm for all 3 springs (MD723617, the left one in the pic), a dogbox that used to be a 91 trans has approx. 23.5mm (MD723617, the left one in the pic). and a 1gb trans has approx. 25mm (MD741337, the right one in the pic).

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That’s strange? If you look inside, they all look like they have the same depth but I didn’t measured that. I stretched that smaller spring and installed a shim and it shifts fine. I first tried two shims before stretching it but it didn’t go into gear since that spring probably didn’t have any travel when I did that.

There is a more noticeable difference in first and second which I think you can hear. It also went in much easier before shimming and stretching.

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[DSMPT]

That’s strange? If you look inside, they all look like they have the same depth but I didn’t measured that. I stretched that smaller spring and installed a shim and it shifts fine. I first tried two shims before stretching it but it didn’t go into gear since that spring probably didn’t have any travel when I did that.

Yeah I checked the OD, too. The both 8mm. I think the only difference is the pitch. Anyways, the ball is the one that contact to the rail, so if there is decent pressure I don't think that's a big deal even if mixed.

 

[AWD-Tony]

Yeah I checked the OD, too. The both 8mm. I think the only difference is the pitch. Anyways, the ball is the one that contact to the rail, so I don't think that's a big deal even if mixed.

Yeah I agree. Just strange how they used different springs.

 

[AWD-Tony]

Idk which helped more but between stretching the one spring, installing spacers for detent springs and moding the shifter bushings on the trans to bearings but the shifter feels fing amazing. Feels like a different car. Can’t wait to drive it.

 

[rabenne]

Glad to hear that! I will probably experiment with that eventually.

 

[jakk220]

I think your springs are mixed with the early and the late 1gs. 1G has 2 part numbers, 89/09.1 - 91/05 (MD723617, the shorter smaller coil pitch) and 91/05.3 - 93.05 (MD741337, the taller larger coil pitch).
I have 3 trans now and checked all springs. My early gvr4 trans has approx. 24mm for all 3 springs (MD723617, the left one in the pic), a dogbox that used to be a 91 trans has approx. 23.5mm (MD723617, the left one in the pic). and a 1gb trans has approx. 25mm (MD741337, the right one in the pic).

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Interesting.... I wonder if that is why my 1G with a 90 trans shifts super soft / smoothly. It literally feels like the shifter is not even connected to the transmission it shifts so smooth. I thought for sure the first time I drove it that it wasn't going to have any gears. Then when I realized it did actually have gears I thought they were going to pop out or something because it didn't feel right. I like it for daily driving but dislike it for hard driving.

 

[AWD-Tony]

Yeah. It’s night and day. I replaced the plastic bushings in the shifter assembly and sold base bushings. It shifted fine before but didn’t really feel it like new cars. Those springs definitely wear. Look at the ends on both sides when you remove the spring