I searched, I couldn't find the answer. If there is a post that answers this question then I didn't search hard enough and I am truly sorry.

Here goes


Yesterday I had a friend's shop install energy suspension shift linkage bushings on my 99 Integra. After I got it back it was SUPER SUPER stiff like I felt like i was literally rowing a boat when i shifted. I took a look at the older bushings and noticed that they left out the spacers on the rectangular piece and so I took it back and had them put the spacers back in the new bushings. Their response was, "yeah we saw those but figured they didn't need to go back in" and so after hearing that I've been kind of nervous about what else they figured didn't need to go back in. Now, it's still stiff after having them install the spacers back in but not AS bad. They hand tighten as opposed to air gun everything together so I don't think it's a matter of them just reaming all the bushings tight.


I also had a blox short shifter installed while they were doing the work so I might just not be used to the new way it feels when shifting. Do I need to just give the bushings some time to soften up or is this normal. I mean it's a crisp shift but I'm having to use force to go from gear to gear and I'd hate to think that I'm neglecting something that could in turn cause damage. Any help or advice anyone is willing to give is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

I wanna say they still pinched the bottom of the shift lever. Might should put a washer on each side of the lever to help out. The bushings reduce slop and play but shouldn't cause resistance in changing gears.

 

I drove it around ALOT today and either I'm getting used to it or it's starting to soften up or settle, if that's even possible. I figure it will be safe to give it a few days and just see if it's something i need to become accustomed to or try to get them to back the bolt off just a little. They tried that earlier when I took it back to get the spacers put in but they backed it off WAY too much. You could hear metal from the washer and the bolt "singing" through the shifter when the car idled or during engine braking.


On a weird side note, and I'm not even sure if it's worth starting a new thread over, the short shifter gets fairly hot if I leave the car running and get out for a even a few minutes. I'm sure it's from the exhaust directly below it but I never thought it would be something that I could actually feel. Hope that's normal anyway!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlueCrxNC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wanna say they still pinched the bottom of the shift lever. Might should put a washer on each side of the lever to help out.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Just so I'm clear on this, are you referring to the round bushing, or the "rectangular" bushing? Thanks!

 

If you overtighten this bolt and nut (red arrows) it will pinch the shifter and make it difficult to shift. Also, if the nut is too loose it may back off and leave you stuck in a gear unable to change in order to get home. I like to use the nylon self locking nuts myself. Like I mentioned before, it may be good to place a washer on each side of the shift lever inside of the linkages two tabs that the bolt goes through.

 

Ok, I see what you are describing now. Crystal Clear!! Thanks!