SpecialRequest

Apologies in advance for yet another thread about a loose shifter in gear that plagues every Civic, but this is slightly different than the other threads I've looked up.

It's for a '96 CX, stock engine, and I want to resolve the loose shifter issue, but wanted to see if a short shifter kit from B&M will solve it. Or are there additional items that need to be purchased in addition to the B&M short shifter to do so?

Right now, the only thing I've added to the car as far as the shifter is concerned are these Energy Suspension shifter bushings, but in red:



Of course they didn't resolve the issue of the loose shifter so I want to see what other options I can take.

Ideally, I would prefer to keep my car as stock as possible, even to the point of retaining the shifter as it was from the factory. I would be happy with replacing whatever bushings I need to do first, but if it's more cost effective to just purchase the B&M shifter kit I'll go that route.

Thanks in advance!

SpecialRequest

And coming from this diagram from 1HondaParts.com, I can obviously see that part number 16 was replaced with the ES item, but not sure where the other items fall in:

98civdx

The bushings are the root of the issue. However a short throw shifter would be a nice upgrade.

DA9_LEO

Do you see part #22 that's the b*tch pin, check if your shift linkage has that, if it has a bolt and nut or something else that could also be why shifter is loose, also check shifter washers and make sure you have rubber O-rings or washer to stiffen the shifter play

SpecialRequest

As much as I wouldn't mind, on a stock D-series motor and transmission, a short throw shifter seems like overkill to me.

I'll be sure to check that. I'm pretty certain it still has that pin but I'll double check to be on the safe side.

98civdx

To each their own.

I have a skunk2 short throw and it was a great improvement. On a Stock y7..... but a new set of bushings will really tighten things up.

Ohmega

iTrader: (1)

I have Energy shifter bushings and a B&M short shifter on my D16Y8.
Still minimal side to side movement while in gear, but better than stock.

Side note: Everyone that I have shown my short shifter absolutely loves the feel. With the bushings and shorter throw, shifts are more precise, and slightly quicker.

SpecialRequest

I'm not totally opposed to a short shifter kit if it all comes out to a slight increase in price. It's under consideration as well.

Ohmega

iTrader: (1)

The B&M short shifter came with everything needed to install. IIRC it even came with some lube for the pivot ball.
Great product. Took about 30 minutes to install. Performance gains definitely worth it.
One complaint I have as well as others: It rattles alot. When in gear and accelerating/decelerating, the shifter rattles like mad. To fix it, I wrapped teflon tape around item #24 on the picture you posted earlier. If you're going to buy one, I suggest modifying the bolt like I did before installing the item.

RodWolf19

I also have energy bushings and a B&M short shifter, driving the car is much nicer, shifts are shorter and crisp. Honestly feels like a newer car, very precise. The car is just a dd for school and back, but it made a world of difference.

SpecialRequest

Is the shifter rattle with B&M kits a common occurrence? Not gonna lie, that rattle would annoy the hell out of me personally.

DA9_LEO

I Had a B&M Shifter on my single cam EF, no big issues, rode smooth

SpecialRequest

Great to hear!

I'll go ahead and get a B&M short shifter kit. Is there anything else I need to go ahead and order on top of that from the dealer? I just want the loose left-right feel when in gear gone.

98civdx

There's always going to be a little side to side play. It's just how they are.

asinclado

Make sure bolt #24 in the diagram above is tight.

RodWolf19

There was a post about wrapping a piece of heatshrink on bolt #24 to eliminate shifter rattle. I personally haven't gotten to it, but it's on my list of things to do.

asinclado

sorry if I'm wrong on this one, but I think the items to replace to remove the shifter rattle are #7 and #10 in the diagram above. Once you tighten bolt #24 there should be no moving metal parts there that could cause any rattle. At least on that part of the linkage.

Ohmega

iTrader: (1)

Number 24 is only partially threaded. The unthreaded part resides inside of a metal sleeve (number 11). The space between number 24 and 11 is what caused my rattle.

DumpdEJ6

Side to side play in the shifter while in gear is actually likely caused by the bitch pin being loose at the transmission, IME anyway.

SpecialRequest

Instead of creating another thread, I am bumping this.

The "bitch pin" is not loose, so that's ruled out.

Since I have Energy Suspension bushings installed, I narrowed it down to the parts I will need to eliminate the 'loose shifter' feel in gear:

Thrust Washer - 54105-692-010 (1)
RR. Joint Bushing - 54107-SA0-010 (2)
RR. Joint Collar - 54117-SH3-000 (1)
Self-Lock Nut (8mm) - 90115-659-003
Hex. Bolt - 92201-08050-0H (1)
O-Ring 91303-HA0-004 (4)

That being said, since I am also looking to purchase a B&M Short Throw Shifter kit, is there anything that comes with the kit that would also apply to the items noted above?

94 Civic Si

After my B18C1 swap, my shifter position moved forward by an inch or two. Some time after the swap, my shifter developed rattles.

I replaced the bushings with new from Energy Suspension.

I replaced the shifter with B&M short throw.

I wrapped bolt #24 w/ teflon tape, and put some grease inside #11 and made sure #21 was tight on #24.

The rattle always comes back.

I would like to shorten the rod, #12 to restore shifter position, as I think when I am in 1st, 3rd and 5th, the longer rod puts the shifter at more of an angle than need be. Vibrations are pretty low in 1st, so I never hear the rattle in 1st. In 5th, I get rattle depending on throttle position. When I downshift to 4th - no problem.

I thinking I will replace #23 x 4 - O-rings around #11, as well as #4 x 2 and #5 x 2 and see what that gets me, along with the shortened rod.

94 Civic Si

Did you try the short throw shifter?

SpecialRequest

Forgot to update this thread, but yes I got the short shift kit installed and feels so nice and tight along with the rest of the bushings.

The only thing that annoys me is the well-known rattle that is common with these B&M shifter kits I've noticed, but it's not something that is dreadful. That being said, what's the solution to the rattle?

Stuominous

This is a loose shifter

Fixed it like this: bolt, lock washer, bracket, washer, washer, shifter, washer, washer, bracket, washer, nylon lock-nut. Best feeling shifter I've had.

Josip.

Got more pictures?