My stock Shifter is really sloppy when in any gear... if its in any gear and you move it side to side it moves like its in Neutral.. Is this because i need new bushings like Polyurethane like you would get with an after market short shifter? Or is it something to do with the shift linkage or tranny?

 

Has anyone ever had your linkage down or unbolted?

I would get the car up, with car stands, safely blocked and check and see if it is properly fastened by just grabbing it and seeing if how much play you have.

But, by what you are saying, I would maybe go in to this with the thought of replacing with poly bushings or just replacing the stock beat bushings for new ones. Depending on your budget.

The linkage should never move like you say it is.

 

I have the same problem as the OP.. I was just going to jack the car up, get under it, and see if my linkages were loose or not

 

bump mine does the same thing its a real bitch to tell if you are in nuetral or not lol

 

it's your bushings... all stock civic shifters are pretty sloppy and have a lot of play. swapped out my stock bushings for some poly's and a short shifter few years back and everything is much crisper.