i was wondering how you make the shift pattern tighter, more snug sort of. im going on 150,000 miles now and its getting pretty loose.

 

A short shifter will shorten it. Or, you can replace the bushings.

 

yea theres a short shifter already in there. so i just need to replace the bushings to tighten up the shift pattern? is that all under the boot or is part of it need to be replaced by jacking up the car and going at it from underneath

 

u have to get under ur car and tighten the shift linkage bolts, maybe need new bushings...

 

tighten the shift linkage bolts? parden my ignorance on this topic, but its just a little loose. i can look at the linkage bolts, but the bushings are what i think i need


like this? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1V

 

new shift linkage, from dealer and energy suspension bushings. did it to mine! feels better than new!

(edit) new shift linkage, because you cant replace those on the end where it swivels. skunk2 short shifter and **** makes it just lovely!

 

try tightening them first, cuz its free haha, mine made noise then i tightened it and it was all good

 

well the linkage is like 140 bucks, what would happen if i just put new bushings on there and just tightened the linkage and left it alone, any difference?

 

should help alot, prolly fix it good luck

 

yea i'll do that, is that what i want to get, in the link? i just wanna be sure. thanks for all youre help guys

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1V

 

yes, looks like those are the ones

 

ok cool, thanks

 

just get that bushing set.. if you have a short shifter with those bushings it should feel very stiff and tight...

i dont know why someone would think a new linkage would be needed when those bushings are the problems

 

the shift linkage has rubber in the swivel part of it. get a friend to move the gear shifter (from in the car) and watch the linkage move at the swivel. mine had play in it so i opted for a new one. its was like 60 bucks! OEM. from the dealership. 140? someone gettin ripped...

 

To check for sloppiness, I would do this in the following order.

1) Swap in new bushings--cheap and easy.
2) Check the thru-bolt at the bottom of the shifter for tightness, don't overtighten.
3) Check for play at the hinge joint at the end of the shift rod where it attaches to the tranny (just before the bitch pin)
4) The bottom of the shifter has some type of plastic cup that can wear, the dealer sells a kit I think for this.

The shifter bushings aren't the only parts that wear while shifting. The actual thru-bolt on the bottom of the shifter can work loose. And just like the earlier poster mentioned, his shift rod actually had a worn joint near the 'bitch pin'. There is a hinge joint that will wear and get sloppy, cost $60 from dealer for a new shift rod.

I replaced my bushings, and installed a new B&M short shifter. The excess side to side play in the shifter is still there. I got under the car and twisted the shift rod (this is the piece that goes from the bottom of the shifter to the tranny where the bitch pin is). As I twisted it, I could actually see the worn hinge joint and all the play that is there.

It is easy to check, just look at it as you move it. If you can twist the shift rod in both directions and see play at the joint before the bitch pin, you have found the reason for the sloppy shifter. You only have to replace the shift rod. The stabilizer bar has no moving parts that wear out, just the bushings at both ends. Those are the ones pictured.

Some people opt to buy an ITR shift rod and shifter, many good reviews on this.