Why is my shifter so hard to put into gear?

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I got the pics your right you did get a single cable but that looks like from the pic its a shift cable for a automatic transmission lol. So again the manual shift cables come as a pair aftermarket or factory parts. Also the cable that is broken with zip ties on it is the one that always breaks. So the link for the repair kit on ebay will fix it. Also its closest to the drivers seat unless you have a right hand drive car. You would fix it from the drivers side.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 3:16 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
I understand everything your saying except how the linkage is closest to the drivers seat. I can look at it all day and it's still gonna be closer to the passenger seat than the drivers seat lol. And I don't have a right hand drive car haha. The other linkage is attached to an "arm" that is to the left of the shifter rod. So wouldnt that linkage that's to the left be closer to the drivers seat than the linkage that's directly under the rod?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 3:25 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
And I'm ordering the ebay bushing as we speak. It seems very simple to install. I've seen the Dorman ones you were talking about at some parts stores and they look very flimsy and have some sort of retaining ring. Also it costs more than the one you recommended to me.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 3:44 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Alright the cable is facing towards the drivers seat iam not going to split hairs with you here.I have better things to do then that like help other people with there cars. Make the repair and let me know how it comes out
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 3:54 PM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
So I finally received my bushing from eBay after the post office tried to deliver it to the wrong address and it delayed me getting it by 3 days but thats a different frustrating story. I installed it with no problems and the shifter goes thru the gears pretty fine now. The only thing left now is that there is still a lot of play in the shifter. I thought this bushing would get rid of the play but it didnt. Is there any way I can get rid of the play?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 16th, 2012 AT 11:59 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
That cable end only repairs the cable end itself. You have 260,000 miles on the car the shifter itself could be worn out or broken I have seen that before. Where is the actual play at?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 12:19 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
I'm not exactly sure. The shifter just has a lot of side to side movement. What should I inspect or look at? Any certain ways to pinpoint where the play is coming from?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 2:14 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Thats really hard to explain you really just have to look at it while shifting. Really only three places there could be play the cables the shifter or the shift tower on the transmission itself. Most likely from what I have seen its usually the shifter where shift the gears inside.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 2:27 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
You're talking about the actual like shifter that I touch with my hand to cycle thru the gears right? I just want to make sure I'm following what your saying lol. The shifter with the boot. If that's what you are talking about, should I just replace the shifter?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 2:44 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Yes the actual shifter you put your hand on and shift thru the gears. Iam not going to tell you replace it without knowing if its bad. Move it around and see if it has excessive play?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 2:59 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
It does. It has a lot of side to side movement when it's in the gear. If I har it in first gear, I can wiggle it side to side all the way until where third gear would be.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 3:04 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
It's kind of hard to find the gears too. Im used to it so it doesn't affect me as much but someone that isn't used to could possibly put it into first gear from second thinking it was third gear.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 3:16 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It sounds like a worn out shifter assembly. Do you have a pick apart near by you@
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 4:10 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
Do I have a what near me? Sorry. I didn't quiet understand what you said in that last reply.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 4:18 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
A pick a part junk yard where you go and pull your own parts?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 4:24 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
Ohhhh ok. I've actually never heard it called that before. But yea I have plenty around. Do you recommend I get one from there?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I would go there and compare it to yours to make sure its bad. If it is then get one there I would if it was my car.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 4:56 AM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
How do you take one of those out? And are certain years interchangeable?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 2:35 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I would say 1995-1999 would be a safe year range the center consoles are the same. To remove one you remove the center console shifter cables and unbolt it.I dont know if they changed the actual shifter in 2000 or not.I have only replaced the earlier ones then that.I would try to find the newest one you can like 1999. There is plenty of them in the pick apart atleast the pick a parts around here.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
EDWEEZY21
  • MEMBER
  • 92 POSTS
Sounds easy enough. Worst case scenario, if I can't find one at a junkyard, how much is a new one? Do you have a link that you can show me like the bushing?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 6:21 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links