What causes the shifter of a manual trans to not stay centered... in neutral?

[njdaewoo]

What causes the shifter of a manual trans to not stay centered... in neutral? You know how when shifting from 2nd to 3rd you can push straight up because the shifter has a "dead zone", if you want to call it that, in nuetral (center). And if like you put it in nuetral, then pull it to the side and let go it returns back into nuetral. Mine doesn't do that...? I have to manually guide it into thrid, etc..

What could the problem be? ....

 

[bastarddsm]

your cables are shot, or the lever on the trans just sticky. Unhook the cables off the trans and see how it acts. If the shifter is still sticky, the cables are probably shot. If the shifter goes to the center you need to take the vertical lever off the trans take it apart, clean it, and lube it.

 

[Lofty]

Make sure there is nothing impeding the movement of the shift levers on the trans.

Other than that agree with bastard.

 

[crimsondragon]

The spring assembly probably snapped. Might have to salvage one from a junkyard Cory.

*edit*
Here's a better view.
http://www.4g63turbo.com/tech/eclipse-5speed-swap.html
Scroll down to the shifter assembly pics. You'll see the spring on the right. If you go down to the parts diagram, it's #24494 in the lower right. Check that spring. Mitsu might stock it but I have no clue.

 

[rlacasse1]

^^^^ That

 

[njdaewoo]

Thanks for the responses.. @ Tim, the Shifter spring is okay.. I have to check the cables... I have noticed that since changing to the higher shifting point..(8k rpm) Its harder to shift from first to second... I have a Competition alum flywheel and a south bend clutch setup. Any ideas on why this is now a issue?

 

[Calan]

I have noticed that since changing to the higher shifting point..(8k rpm) Its harder to shift from first to second...

Probably unrelated to the shifter not centering. What gear oil are you running?

 

[NWHTanK]

Since i just got done with doing custom shifter here is my in put. 1 check the shifter bushings and the cable bushing. What ive noticed is one the cable thier is a bushing at each end of each cable along with a metal sleaved insert. The insert likes to oval out causing sloppy shifts. I cant rember if u cables are adjustable or not. Check that also. I replaced my cabless with 1g cables which allow fine tuning of of both cables.

 

[TrevorS]

I had really sloppy shift action in my '90 and did this:
Excessive Shifter Looseness - Mitsubishi-Forums.com

The 2G lost the cable adjusters eh? Too bad!