VIDEO/PICS: Stripped Shifting Linkage -- Which Piece to Replace?

[petersonb]

Hey guys,

I've found the problem, so that saves us all some time! Lol

I have a VERY loose shifter. See video:

"Loose Shift Knob" Video

And here's where it's loose: Note: Video only shows "side to side" motion; no "front to back" motion shown, but it's still there! (see above video)

"Loose Linkage on Shifter" Video

Now, I have to find the solution. Anyone ever had this problem?

I've found on here where people had a loose shifter, and their solution was simply "Locktite and tighten that bitch down"

But that wont work for me, as far as I can tell. I got under the car and checked all the bolts. All were very tight. In Fact, the one on "Top" that would need to be tightened, can't even be loosened (easily).

The bolt that would presumably need to be tightened is the "top" bolt in these pictures (and is still the "top" bolt when trans is in the car)

NOTE: those pictures are from last time I removed the transmission; it's still in the car right now

I wasn't able to get that bolt loose, and it isn't going to get any tighter either.

I'm fairly certain it's stripped out on that connection.

My Question:

Do I need to replace
(1) The joint that connects the "J" piece to the spline (piece with "top" and "side" bolts.... Rotating in first video) after somehow getting that top bolt loose
(2) The spline which comes out of the transmission (the stationary piece in the first video)

If I have to replace the spline (should be hardened, no?), my guess is that the transmission gets to come out again....

Thanks S197


-Brad

 

[golkhl]

Have you confirmed that it's not the shifter itself that needs to be replaced? I have had the linkage out of mine(busted stud during MGW install), and there is not enough play in the linkage to allow the shifter to be that sloppy.

 

[petersonb]

Have you confirmed that it's not the shifter itself that needs to be replaced? I have had the linkage out of mine(busted stud during MGW install), and there is not enough play in the linkage to allow the shifter to be that sloppy.

I removed all other bolts in the linkage, applied locktite and bolted them back down. I dont think its anywhere in the linkage.

The movement around that joint, as shown in the second video, is equivalent to the moment in the handle in the first video. I can feel little pops in the handle, like its "chewing" and slipping over a tooth, or something.

I'm pretty sure its only sloppy at that joint. Just not sure what to replace, and looking for previous experience.

 

[golkhl]

Just snapped a couple of pics of the linkage in the area of your concern(also where I snapped a stud during MGW install), unless the plastic insert in yours busted or completely worn out, I am thinking it is your shifter assembly that is the culprit.

 

[petersonb]

Just snapped a couple of pics of the linkage in the area of your concern(also where I snapped a stud during MGW install), unless the plastic insert in yours busted or completely worn out, I am thinking it is your shifter assembly that is the culprit.

Super helpful picture! I had no idea there was a plastic insert. I think that's what it is!

I don'tunderstand how it could be the shift assembly. Under the car, there's no movement at any of the joints on the linkage.

The only movement noted, was inside that socket, where that plastic piece is (I had no idea it was plastic in there)

That being said, I have no experience with these, so I'm not saying I don't believe you. Just trying to get on the same page

 

[golkhl]

There has to be movement at that joint because it is a ball and socket connection, if you find that your insert is busted/worn out, you can have mine from the pic(just pay shipping). With the amount of shifter slop in your video, and your inspection of the linkage, my money is on the shifter istelf. This might be a good excuse to upgrade the shifter to a new MGW.

 

[petersonb]

There has to be movement at that joint because it is a ball and socket connection, if you find that your insert is busted/worn out, you can have mine from the pic(just pay shipping). My money is on the shifter though.

Okay, so I guess I'll pull the shifter. If rather do that than pull the transmission.

 

[golkhl]

If you can swing it , go with MGW. I have had the stocker, steeda tri-ax, and now MGW. If you need a stocker to swap in to get you by, I have one you can have(again just pay shipping).

 

[petersonb]

If you can swing it , go with MGW. I have had the stocker, steeda tri-ax, and now MGW. If you need a stocker to swap in to get you by, I have one you can have(again just pay shipping).

Man I would really appreciate it. Can you PM me shipping to 72703?

I'd like to get the MGW, but still haven't been back-payed from Gov shutdown ... Once I do, I'll try to pick up an MGW.

Is 50% reduction of throw enough?

I'm not sure what a Hurst's reduction is from stock...

 

[golkhl]

Getting ready to leave for work, I will get it boxed up and shipping cost figured out tuesday. I will send you the stocker from my 08 Bullitt, and the linkage arm just in case you need to swap out the bushing. PM me the shipping details, and gift the paypal to save me the fees. Also the MGW is adjustable so you can set the reduction to how you like it. Great shifter and great customer service.

 

[TurboX]

Its hard to tell by your videos but I had a similar problem on a TR6060, the roll pin inside the transmission broke. Was a cheap 50 cent fix but a afternoon project to fix

 

[petersonb]

Getting ready to leave for work, I will get it boxed up and shipping cost figured out tuesday. I will send you the stocker from my 08 Bullitt, and the linkage arm just in case you need to swap out the bushing. PM me the shipping details, and gift the paypal to save me the fees. Also the MGW is adjustable so you can set the reduction to how you like it. Great shifter and great customer service.

Cool, thanks!!

 

[petersonb]

Its hard to tell by your videos but I had a similar problem on a TR6060, the roll pin inside the transmission broke. Was a cheap 50 cent fix but a afternoon project to fix

Yeah I know the video isn't the greatest... The shaft going into the transmissioniisn't wiggling at all, its the block which goes around the shaft, which is moving.

Gonna try the stock shifter and see if that's it.

 

[TurboX]

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=290&viewfile=Gearshift Lever and Boot.pdf

Part number 3 is where it looks like your failure is

 

[petersonb]

http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=290&viewfile=Gearshift Lever and Boot.pdf

Part number 3 is where it looks like your failure is

I figured it was in that same general area.... Could it be as simple as replacing that bolt??

 

[petersonb]

Okay, so even though this is really embarrassing, I will post my solution, in hopes that it will help someone else (after all, forums are for learning, right? hahaha)

golkhl was nice enough to lend me his stock shifter and linkage for troubleshooting. Huge shoutout to him for that!!

Turns out all the advice I had been reading about the loose knob was exactly what I needed to follow.

Here was the problem:

Both bolts were loose. SOLUTION: locktite and crank those bitches down.

......back to a solid shifting experience.

Thanks everyone for dealing with my stubborn self.

-Brad

 

[TurboX]

Glad you got it fixed

 

[cschoening09]

I was gonna say,.. that "bolt" is tight as fuck and its acutally a pin. I had issues with it a while back with my mgw when It broke. had a hell of a time finding another one. ill see if I can dig up the thread I made...

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101460&highlight=broke+mgw

 

[phorty]

Interesting a lot of people having similar issues. I shot a video a few years ago and talked to George at MGW on the phone about it.



I also thought my linkage might have come lose. I got under and tightened the top/front bolt and promptly broke it off. Once I got a new linkage I was able to replicate the play in the shifter from underneath the car and could see the slop (left to right movement while in gear) and it maintained all the way through the linkage. Meaning you could see the play while looking at the front/top bolt of the linkage. I concluded it must be an issue internal with the trans.

Two years from now and nothing has really changed and the car drives fine. I just wish it was as tight as it was years ago when I first installed the MGW. The funny thing though is that I didn't really notice any change until a night at the track. Thought maybe I had broken something but must have just "loosened" the trans up.

 

[DiMora]

These have become worn on my car. About to order the steeda bushings:

https://www.steeda.com/store/steeda-mustang-replacement-shifter-bushings-555-7091/