shifter is very stiff in neutral
Sep 27, 2009, 05:18 PM
#4
1. Check the linkage at the transmission.
2. Check the linkage under the center console.
3. Last resort, TEMP FIX, take the spring off the shifter assembly that returns it to neutral. I just discovered that my spring is broken when I took the console out to paint the silver **** black. My cables still pull the shifter back center even with the broken spring, so I assume you could get away without it...at least to see if that's the problem. But then again... if you didn't touch anything, the spring shouldn't be too stiff. Maybe it's bound up somehow.
2. Check the linkage under the center console.
3. Last resort, TEMP FIX, take the spring off the shifter assembly that returns it to neutral. I just discovered that my spring is broken when I took the console out to paint the silver **** black. My cables still pull the shifter back center even with the broken spring, so I assume you could get away without it...at least to see if that's the problem. But then again... if you didn't touch anything, the spring shouldn't be too stiff. Maybe it's bound up somehow.
Sep 27, 2009, 07:05 PM
#6
Evolved Member
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: houston
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where the two linkages are bolted to the transmission, there is a white piece of plastic with a centering hole that rides between to the two linkages. It's just a small rectangle of plastic with a quarter moon cut into it that rides on shifter linkage shaft. Make sure that piece is still there, that it's not cracked or wedged funny.
Trending Topics
Sep 28, 2009, 06:56 PM
#11
Evolved Member
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 2,427
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reach down behind the battery and try to shift through the gears that way.
Chances are your issues are bushings (siezed) and/or linkage related. Pull the linkage from the transmission. Does the linkage move freely? You can also try to move the shifter from inside the car, while the linkage is disconnected. If it's still rough with the linkage disconnected, you have a linkage problem. If the shifter moves around with a lot of ease, that linkage is not the problem. While the linkage is off, try to shift through the gears by reaching down behind the battery and grabbing where the linkage connects. That'll tell you if it's an internal trans issue (which I doubt). If that's ok, chances are it's the bushings.
Buy some aluminum bushings from AMS or Buscher and install them. Use some grease when you install them. The shaft through the center of the bushings needs to be able to "rotate", and it the facotry metal sleeve in the rubber buhsing is corroded or rusted, it could cause high shift effort.
Removing the strut bar makes the easier. Removing the battery makes it even easier, but not nessacery.
Chances are your issues are bushings (siezed) and/or linkage related. Pull the linkage from the transmission. Does the linkage move freely? You can also try to move the shifter from inside the car, while the linkage is disconnected. If it's still rough with the linkage disconnected, you have a linkage problem. If the shifter moves around with a lot of ease, that linkage is not the problem. While the linkage is off, try to shift through the gears by reaching down behind the battery and grabbing where the linkage connects. That'll tell you if it's an internal trans issue (which I doubt). If that's ok, chances are it's the bushings.
Buy some aluminum bushings from AMS or Buscher and install them. Use some grease when you install them. The shaft through the center of the bushings needs to be able to "rotate", and it the facotry metal sleeve in the rubber buhsing is corroded or rusted, it could cause high shift effort.
Removing the strut bar makes the easier. Removing the battery makes it even easier, but not nessacery.
Last edited by MitsuJDM; Sep 28, 2009 at 06:58 PM.
Sep 29, 2009, 04:51 AM
#12
Reach down behind the battery and try to shift through the gears that way.
Chances are your issues are bushings (siezed) and/or linkage related. Pull the linkage from the transmission. Does the linkage move freely? You can also try to move the shifter from inside the car, while the linkage is disconnected. If it's still rough with the linkage disconnected, you have a linkage problem. If the shifter moves around with a lot of ease, that linkage is not the problem. While the linkage is off, try to shift through the gears by reaching down behind the battery and grabbing where the linkage connects. That'll tell you if it's an internal trans issue (which I doubt). If that's ok, chances are it's the bushings.
Buy some aluminum bushings from AMS or Buscher and install them. Use some grease when you install them. The shaft through the center of the bushings needs to be able to "rotate", and it the facotry metal sleeve in the rubber buhsing is corroded or rusted, it could cause high shift effort.
Removing the strut bar makes the easier. Removing the battery makes it even easier, but not nessacery.
Chances are your issues are bushings (siezed) and/or linkage related. Pull the linkage from the transmission. Does the linkage move freely? You can also try to move the shifter from inside the car, while the linkage is disconnected. If it's still rough with the linkage disconnected, you have a linkage problem. If the shifter moves around with a lot of ease, that linkage is not the problem. While the linkage is off, try to shift through the gears by reaching down behind the battery and grabbing where the linkage connects. That'll tell you if it's an internal trans issue (which I doubt). If that's ok, chances are it's the bushings.
Buy some aluminum bushings from AMS or Buscher and install them. Use some grease when you install them. The shaft through the center of the bushings needs to be able to "rotate", and it the facotry metal sleeve in the rubber buhsing is corroded or rusted, it could cause high shift effort.
Removing the strut bar makes the easier. Removing the battery makes it even easier, but not nessacery.
thank you!!!
Sep 29, 2009, 07:32 AM
#13
Reach down behind the battery and try to shift through the gears that way.
Chances are your issues are bushings (siezed) and/or linkage related. Pull the linkage from the transmission. Does the linkage move freely? You can also try to move the shifter from inside the car, while the linkage is disconnected. If it's still rough with the linkage disconnected, you have a linkage problem. If the shifter moves around with a lot of ease, that linkage is not the problem. While the linkage is off, try to shift through the gears by reaching down behind the battery and grabbing where the linkage connects. That'll tell you if it's an internal trans issue (which I doubt). If that's ok, chances are it's the bushings.
Buy some aluminum bushings from AMS or Buscher and install them. Use some grease when you install them. The shaft through the center of the bushings needs to be able to "rotate", and it the facotry metal sleeve in the rubber buhsing is corroded or rusted, it could cause high shift effort.
Removing the strut bar makes the easier. Removing the battery makes it even easier, but not nessacery.
Chances are your issues are bushings (siezed) and/or linkage related. Pull the linkage from the transmission. Does the linkage move freely? You can also try to move the shifter from inside the car, while the linkage is disconnected. If it's still rough with the linkage disconnected, you have a linkage problem. If the shifter moves around with a lot of ease, that linkage is not the problem. While the linkage is off, try to shift through the gears by reaching down behind the battery and grabbing where the linkage connects. That'll tell you if it's an internal trans issue (which I doubt). If that's ok, chances are it's the bushings.
Buy some aluminum bushings from AMS or Buscher and install them. Use some grease when you install them. The shaft through the center of the bushings needs to be able to "rotate", and it the facotry metal sleeve in the rubber buhsing is corroded or rusted, it could cause high shift effort.
Removing the strut bar makes the easier. Removing the battery makes it even easier, but not nessacery.
i just did want you said and it is internal trans issues
the shifter does not move side to side anymore
so what should i do now? go with a shep 5sp or rebuild the 6sp?
thanks for everyone's help
Sep 29, 2009, 11:32 AM
#14
Evolving Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
had the same problem along with it occasionally popping out of 5th gear. I put in the AMS under hood shifter bushings and all my problems went away. Shifts like a dream now.
