Shifter abit loose...

[GreenBird]

I love the 5-speed but there is a good half-inch play in the shifter. Car has a new clutch less than 30K miles old, and it's strong.

Advice?

 

[drivinhard]

You got a '90 with a cable shifter (I'm assuming). Those have all kinds of slop in them. Go find a boneyard rod shifter and throw the cable one in the dumpster.

 

[clintonk]

You would appreciate the rod shifter, to be sure, but I can answer your question. Assuming the play in your shifter is in the front-back direction, there is a bushing at the tranny end of the cable that fails and falls out. Years ago, Doug Lewis replaced the bushing with a short length of rubber hose, and it's been fine ever since. Get under the car and disconnect the cables from the tranny; you'll see what I mean.

Clinton Knight
'90 White 184K
'95 Green 53K

 

[SnickterP]

I actually have a rod shifter, but i experience a very slight amount of play up/down wise, and a HUGE amount left and right wise. any idea whats wrong?

 

[Rob94]

Something either came loose or rotted through. Get under there and investigate.

 

[drdave]

The Gen 1 cable shifter is also notorious for breaking the plastic housing that the ball at the base of the shifter snaps into. If this is broken the shifter will sometimes slip and move freely front to back. I had both problems on my 90. The part at the tranny missing will only give you a little less than 3/8 movement at the shifter.