So I've been scouring the internet to try and figure out why my shifter is so loose. I've seen plenty of
​​​​vids where the shifter wobbles while in gear. Mine is past that. If I put it in any gear, I can freely move the stick all the way side to side. Trans will stay in gear without any issue, but shifter moves freely side to side in all gears

 

Have you gotten up under the car and inspected the shifter and shift rods as well as where they connect to the transmission ???

 

I have but I'm honestly a novice when it comes to fwd manuals. This is my first front drive car and barely my second manual. So I've looked at it plenty but I haven't been able to figure out what part would hold the shifter in place while it's in gear

 

The shift linkage that's on top ( It mounts solid to the transmission) will have a shaft behind the ball of the shifter (where it pivots) That should have a rubber mount and a metal bracket that bolts into the body of the car. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

I do know where that is although there wasn't a whole lot of play at that bushing so I'm not sure that's the culprit. My original thought was it's something in the transmission itself that locks the shifter in place and not in the linkage

 

I could obviously be very wrong, as this is my first fwd manual but that's what has made sense in my head

 

Is the "Bitch Pin" in place? It connects the shift linkage to the transmission. If you are using a bolt it will cause slop. Take pics and post

 

Well I was able to get under the car and get a picture and video. I think it's definitely because there's a bolt where the "bitch pin" should be if I'm looking at it right. After watching the vid
I took, I could see the linkage moving

 

So should I go get a new pin? And where could I go to get a decent one for cheap?

 

LOL, love that nut and bolt. I did that back then too.

 

Remove the bolt and nut connecting your shift selector rod to the fixed rod coming out of the back of the transmission and install an original roll pin ("bitch pin" as referred above) as well as the safety circlip. Both of these items can be purchased new from the dealer for less than $20. Next, check to see if there is slop in the two joints directly behind the roll pin on the shift selector rod... and if so, replace the shift selector rod. You are also missing the front and rear plate on either side of the shift stabilizer rod, so order those too with your roll pin and circlip. If you still have slop, it is likely a worn out change ball bushing... you will have to disassemble the shifter itself and replace the white accordian like bushing as well as the rubber dust boot that covers it. If it still feels sloppy after replacing these two items, you may want to wrap some black electrical tape around the dust boot to make it fit inside the stabilizer bar shifter socket tighter.

All this makes a very tight, accurate and precise shifter.

 

I really appreciate the detailed instructions! And it's honestly surprising to hear of a part from a dealer being that cheap lol. Thanks a lot for the advice and helping me actually figure out where to look and what to look for. I'll try to update when I get the parts!