Shifter is Wobbly, can't shift into 5th gear

[Terrorizer]

Last night I was driving from one side of town to the other, and I stopped at a light, when the light turned green I shifted from neutral into first but It felt like I was in a higher gear and the engine was about to stall. I also noticed that the shifter felt really loose and wobbly. On my way home on the freeway I tried to shift into 5th gear but I felt like I was in 3rd gear and again the shifter felt loose and kind of flopped over into where 3rd is so I left it in 4th all the way home. I also noticed if I shift into second then first it will sometimes go into first gear.

I'm thinking it may be something related to the shifter cable, any ideas guys? Is this ok to drive with? I have work this weak and don't really have time to fiddle with it until the weekend.

My car is a 1990 mtx

 

[kevinspann]

Rod or cable shift?

 

[Terrorizer]

Rod or cable shift?

cable shift

 

[Terrorizer]

I guess my main concern is are these the symptoms of a cable that is about to break? I don't want it to break while I am driving and become stranded.

 

[dohcsable]

You'd still be able to reach under the car and put it in gear.....just wouldn't be able to change gears limping home.


I'd suggest just looking into a rod shifter update, it'll take care of that

 

[Terrorizer]

I just jacked the car up, I saw there is a ball and socket type fitting that was disconnect on the shifter mechanism thingy, I popped it back on but it seems to be at a pretty sharp angle now that its back on...

 

[rbruso]

Yes, it'll be at a sharp angle. If you look at the ball closely you'll see oxidation on the part that never gets in the socket and shiny spots where it actually hits the socket. I was always amazed that the ball stayed in at that angle, but that's the way it rests normally.

Unfortunately your socket is getting worn out. With the ball popped, you have 3rd and 4th only.

With practice, you can set the brake, open the door, flop on the ground, reach under and reattach the socket without jacking the car up. Even if you're at a stop light (ask me how I know that one )

But once the ball pops once it'll just get more frequent until you take care of the problem.

Using some safety wire I was able to wrap the whole joint and not have a problem for a few years, but you either need to replace the socket, the whole cable, or swap in a rod shifter to solve the problem permanently.

 

[220ksho]

Here's an old thread. Go to the bottom, and you'll see a pic of a clip that I've been using for about 10 years w/o fail.


http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=116413

 

[LOUDSHO92]

We have the fix for the cable shifter here: SHO Source

The fixes are permanent as well.

 

[220ksho]

With practice, you can set the brake, open the door, flop on the ground, reach under and reattach the socket without jacking the car up. Even if you're at a stop light (ask me how I know that one )

Yep. I have also done this. When you have a buddy in the pass seat freaking out while your under the car, it's even funnier. Then you hop back in looking like a mad genius. "you fixed, it? Wow." ...is the common response. Then you humbly say, "Yeah, but it'll probably happen again."

 

[Terrorizer]

I'm able to drive in 3rd and 4th gear when it pops out, which part do I need? I see several different bushings listed.

 

[rbruso]

Should be this one: http://shosource.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=61_5_29&products_id=416

The instructions show how to replace the black one (fore-aft) but the same basic instructions should work for this one too. It appears this socket can be used on either end of the left-right cable.

 

[shobote]

Cable shifters are great; just do the repair and you'll love it. You can also get a short shifter for 100 bucks that takes 10 minutes to bolt in, has far quicker throws, and zero backlash, which I've been using for years. THe rod shifter is not a bolt in, requires different exhaust piece that is not readily available, and tunnel cutting. It also adds 15 lbs of weight (the enemy !), is in the way inder the car, and transfers vibrations to the shifter (e.g, HD motor mounts) that the cable does not.

 

[Terrorizer]

I'm going to for sure eventually either do a rod shift or buy the socket replacement from sho source but in the meantime I need a quick fix to get me to and from work and my other commitments without waiting for shipping, etc. Does anyone have any ideas? I would imagine that clip shonut sells isnt manufactured by them and is available from a hardware store. I think I remember someone saying they used wire?

 

[rbruso]

I'm going to for sure eventually either do a rod shift or buy the socket replacement from sho source but in the meantime I need a quick fix to get me to and from work and my other commitments without waiting for shipping, etc. Does anyone have any ideas? I would imagine that clip shonut sells isnt manufactured by them and is available from a hardware store. I think I remember someone saying they used wire?

I used wire. No pictures, but basically criss-crossed around the joint as much as possible while still allowing the joint to move.

I believe the clip is a Mopar part. Then again, I might be thinking of a fix for the for-aft cable.

 

[Airborne]

Cable shifters are great; just do the repair and you'll love it. You can also get a short shifter for 100 bucks that takes 10 minutes to bolt in, has far quicker throws, and zero backlash, which I've been using for years. THe rod shifter is not a bolt in, requires different exhaust piece that is not readily available, and tunnel cutting. It also adds 15 lbs of weight (the enemy !), is in the way inder the car, and transfers vibrations to the shifter (e.g, HD motor mounts) that the cable does not.

After repairing the cable ends with Sho Source, I also have fallen for the cable shift. Where do you get this short shifter for $100 you speak of?

 

[Sholovenothate]

Here's an old thread. Go to the bottom, and you'll see a pic of a clip that I've been using for about 10 years w/o fail.


http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=116413

I actually fabbed up this part myself also. It has been working great for months. I eventually tac welded it on the inside so it couldn't pop off too.

 

[shobote]

After repairing the cable ends with Sho Source, I also have fallen for the cable shift. Where do you get this short shifter for $100 you speak of?

Maddog STS has them. http://www.maddogsts.com/ I have an extra SHO cable shifter core if you need one.

 

[shobote]

I used a zip tie to fasten the cable end on the trans side, and it worked fine for years.

 

[Terrorizer]

I used a zip tie to fasten the cable end on the trans side, and it worked fine for years.

More info or pics and you would be a god amoungst men to me.