Unresolved Shifting Issues (after Bushings)

[lewishamilton]

After installing both the Underhood Brass Shifter Bushings (on the Shifter Cable) and solid aluminum bushings on the shifter base plate, I'm still having two (possibly unrelated) shifting issues.


The first is a dead zone where I have still have some play and looseness especially in neutral, up and down, near the 3rd and 4th gear's gates. Also, I feel the improvements from the bushings (and love them), but 3rd and 4th don't feel as mechanical and tight when going in the gates.


The second, more annoying problem, I've had since I bought the car almost a month ago, is a stiffness across neutral. If I move the shifter to the left or right side of neutral it stays there, so I have to use effort to (hypothetically) move the shifter from 2nd to 5th or 1st to 5th if that makes sense.

I searched and found a few threads but they seemed to be dealing with looseness and play which were then addressed by the mods I've already performed (i.e. No Spring Action in Shifter - DSM Forums: Mitsubishi Eclipse, Plymouth Laser, and Eagle Talon Forum: DSMtalk.com). I think the second issue could be the shift spring itself, and the first possibly the cable link bushing, but I'm guessing and shooting in the dark. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[estoyaqui30]

I would disconnect the shifter cable and move the shift lever throughout the positions and see if it binds or feels stiff. In other words, make sure that the cable is not sticking. Maybe even disconnect both ends and see if it moves smoothly.

 

[lewishamilton]

I would disconnect the shifter cable and move the shift lever throughout the positions and see if it binds or feels stiff. In other words, make sure that the cable is not sticking. Maybe even disconnect both ends and see if it moves smoothly.

Okay, sounds simple enough, and if it does I need a new cable?

 

[miguelmcv]

I'm with estoyaqui, disconnect both cables at the transmission and give it a try, if it feels kind of hard to move the shift, then is your cable that are not good or something is going on, but you will know is not the tranny,.

If it feels OK, then give it a try on the trany itself, move the trany arm and put it in gears with your hand and see what you can find.

I bet you can tell if the stiffness comes from the trany or the cables.

 

[estoyaqui30]

if i remember correctly, all of the self centering of the shift lever is done by the transmission. There are no springs in the shifter or cables, so if it's not centering up then the problem has to be either the cables or the transmission. so, I would make sure the cable is moving smoothly, then as miguelmcv said, try to move the shift levers on the transmission and see if they feel like they are binding....dumb question, buy have you made sure the shift lever itself is not sticking?

 

[estoyaqui30]

Are the cables damaged at all or look to be worn.

iugrad92turbo, do you know if the cables are teflon lined or something like that? could there be a liner that is worn? Just thinking, because some brake cables on motorcycles are lined like that for reduced friction. Just a thought.

 

[lewishamilton]

Okay guys, I'm doing some wrenching on the car today so I'll definitely check it out!

 

[luv2rallye]

Something to check is a worn select lever shoe:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/mai...t-fifth-gear-grinding-help.html#post152266167.
Also make sure the shift cable casings are not moving while shifting (should be securely bolted to tranny). Watch them and the shift cable ends while someone shifts (don't need engine running).