When I hit the gas the shifter moves. Bad mounts?

[96gstdsm]

Ok well my car is in the shop getting lots of new things. One of them is new prothane motor mounts. My question here is, when I hit the gas the shifter moves and same when I let of the gas. Not really a big problem I guess but just wondering if, A, that is normal, B it was from my old warn out engine mounts, or C, something else, like my shifter and all. My shifter does have bunch of play especially in neutral, but never owned any other dsm before so don't know if that is normal. I know other cars I have owned or driven have had very small amount of movement in neutral or any of the gears. Not thinking it is really a problem, but better shifting and all would be really nice. It is also hard to get into first. When the car comes to a complete stop then it is much easier to put it into first. Also if i just step on the clutch and right away put it in first then it grind a little. If I wait a second before putting it into 1st then there isn't any grinding as long as the car is not moving at all.
Don't notice really any other gears that are a problem, just over all seems kinda stiff.
Does the 1st gear problem sound like a messed up synchro or could that also be from an engine mount?

 

[Puscifer]

Well, the shifter can't be totally stiff. There should be nearly 1/8-1/4 inch play in every direction. in gear. Much more than that i'd check the tranny mounts and your bushings on the shifter. It used to bother me when I would hammer on the gas or decel real quick mine would slop and i'd get worried, But, that's what mounts and bushings are there for!

It's not coming out of gear or anything I assume?
Check that linkage to!

 

[snowborder714]

My question here is, when I hit the gas the shifter moves and same when I let of the gas. Not really a big problem I guess but just wondering if, A, that is normal, B it was from my old warn out engine mounts, or C, something else, like my shifter and all.

This is a common problem and there is a fix for it. At least this is what it sounds like to me...
http://www.geocities.com/qwik93awd/Vfaq/shifter.htm

Not thinking it is really a problem, but better shifting and all would be really nice.

Look into getting shifter bushings (for the shift plate at the base of the shifter and for the cable linkage to the tranny). There are a lot of different kits out there for both places but the two I recommend are the Symborski kit for the shift plate (http://www.machv.com/symshifkit1.html) and Speed-Source bushings for the cable linkage (http://speed-source.net/products/shifter_cable.htm). These kits make a world of difference!! Some of the best money I've spent on my car so far.

It is also hard to get into first. When the car comes to a complete stop then it is much easier to put it into first.

This is normal. You should not be downshifting from 2nd to 1st until you are under 10mph. It is not good for the tranny if you try and do it before then. It will obviously be easier to shift into 1st when the car is stopped than if you're still rolling a bit. Either pop it into neutral until you're at a complete stop or once the rpm's start to get really low in 2nd just push the clutch in and then stop. Then you can shift into 1st.

The Prothane's won't do anything to affect shifting or shifter play. They will make more vibration in the lower rpm's and will also help prevent wheel hop. There are other benefits, but they won't affect anything you're questioning about.

Hope this has helped!

 

[luvmygst]

I would pull the end cover like said above. I had the same problem and when I tightened the trans nuts up it felt like a new tranny.

 

[96gstdsm]

This is normal. You should not be downshifting from 2nd to 1st until you are under 10mph. It is not good for the tranny if you try and do it before then.


Well what I meant to say is that I don't actually shift into 1st, I just like put it into first but keep the clutch in. I don't actually downshift and then drive in 1st gear when already moving. Just want to be able to put it in first gear with the clutch in, but it still won't go in unless I come to a complete stop. Is that still normal? Like even going into first when going like 5 miles an hour or under it still will be really hard, and feel like I am forcing it hard to get it in.

As for the bushings been looking into those already thanks alot. Will definitely buy some soon.

 

[snowborder714]

Well what I meant to say is that I don't actually shift into 1st, I just like put it into first but keep the clutch in. I don't actually downshift and then drive in 1st gear when already moving. Just want to be able to put it in first gear with the clutch in, but it still won't go in unless I come to a complete stop. Is that still normal? Like even going into first when going like 5 miles an hour or under it still will be really hard, and feel like I am forcing it hard to get it in.

Yes, this is still pretty normal. It is hard for me (and grinds a bit) if I'm moving and try and shift into 1st even with the clutch in. You have to be going extremely slow (like 2mph or so) for it to go in pretty smoothly. It's not the greatest thing for the tranny either. Best to just put in neutral or just come to a stop in 2nd and then put into first.

Ya, those shift bushings are great. Also, you may want to look into a short shifter if you don't already have one. B&M, B&M knockoff (eBay one), and Megan are the top brands for those. I have a B&M and it's an awesome combo with the Symborski kit!!!

 

[Talesin]

I'm voting for the end nut being loose. I had mine tightened when I first got the car, and even on stock mounts it had no wiggle. Got prothanes, still no wiggle. Skate bearing mod, no wiggle. Blew out my transfer case as my mechanic forgot to torque the fill bolt, had to get the input shaft swapped out for a 23 spline, and I suspect that they didn't re-torque everything correctly, as it wiggles now a whole crapload. Also, it's almost impossible to get into first when stopped, without shifting to second then to first. Pain in the ass, and I REALLY don't want to open the tranny, but I'm going to have to at this point. The wiggle/shifting problems are getting too bad to just live with.

 

[DSMLoverFromUA]

bushing for the play and for the shifter moving when hitting gas its the nut. Mine moved a lot and when i took the cover off the nut was finger tight. a little longer and who knows what would happen. defenetly take the cover off the check, its not hard.

 

[96gstdsm]

Ok thanks a lot guys. I guess as soon as I get a few more bucks I'll get that symborski shifter bushings and whatever else is needed to tighten it up a good bit there.
So the whole first gear thing everyone agrees is just normal to not go into gear when moving at all even if the clutch is still pressed in?

 

[Talesin]

The tranny's still moving, even with the clutch in. It's attached directly to the wheels, and doesn't disengage ever, clutch in or out. It just isn't getting any drive force from the engine. First gear needs the car to be moving REALLY slow for the gears to engage correctly.

 

[dsm-onster]

I'm voting for the end nut being loose. I had mine tightened when I first got the car, and even on stock mounts it had no wiggle. Got prothanes, still no wiggle. Skate bearing mod, no wiggle. Blew out my transfer case as my mechanic forgot to torque the fill bolt, had to get the input shaft swapped out for a 23 spline, and I suspect that they didn't re-torque everything correctly, as it wiggles now a whole crapload. Also, it's almost impossible to get into first when stopped, without shifting to second then to first. Pain in the ass, and I REALLY don't want to open the tranny, but I'm going to have to at this point. The wiggle/shifting problems are getting too bad to just live with.

I agree. After swapping in my lsd insert which involves retorquing this nut, I lost the wiggle . It started to willg again some time later. and wen in a retorqued it and this time bent the "lock lips" properly and no wiggle to this day.