Shifter Stabilizer Bolt Woes.

[SHOracer14]

I recently picked up a 95' MTX and when I put the car in the air for the first time I noticed there was a small chunk missing from the end of the trans case were the bolt is. The bolt was loose so I tightened it. A few weeks later the shifter is getting loose again, this time the bolt won't tighten as the threads seem to be stripped. I have had success with a heli-coil in the past for this exact same issue on my 91'. Does anyone happen to know what the thread pitch etc. is? I remember it was weird and took me awhile to find a heli-coil kit. Also, has any one tried any type of brace or anything to help prevent this as this seems like a weak point/ poor design. I believe I am going to try and make some sort of brace to prevent this from occurring again. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[frosho]

I'd suggest contacting Jose (rktmn). He makes a brace for this purpose. http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=97348

I know the thread diameter is 12mm. I don't remember the pitch off the top of my head though.

 

[SuperHO]

Your best bet is the Jose fix...otherwise you could fab up some bracket to use a different hole.

 

[220ksho]

ahhh, one of the reasons I prefer the cable shifter.

 

[operdot]

X2 the cable shifter is the way to go

 

[SHOtime2511]

Yeah,cables are awesome if you like the way shifting a dump truck feels.
I had an issue similar to this,only I didn't have a missing chunk from the trans.
I just had the bolt that kept backing out.
I was able to fix this issue by finding a longer bolt by about .5 inch,the factory one only used a few of the threads in the trans.

 

[tompumped]

There's a shift stabilizer for sale in the classifieds right now!

I should've been more specific when I posted. Maybe that will work for you if not there's other variations that will fix your issue permanently.

 

[220ksho]

LOL on the dump truck. I cut my shifter down a little, so it's not so long.

Every time you shift the rod shifter, you're moving a 10lb steel bar. Plus there's another 10lb steel bar right next to it.

If the cables and grommets are in good shape on the cable shifter, it feels great IMO & IME compared to the clunky and clumsy steel bar(s). Not to mention all of the NVH that comes with being directly connected to the tranny.

my > $0.02

 

[SHOtime2511]

I've never noticed any NVH through my shifter but whatever floats your boat.
The total rod shifter assembly weighs maybe 8-10 lbs tops.
I've replaced the bushings and have the jose short shifter in mine and it has a very direct and tight feeling,almost like a RWD shifter.

 

[mosho93]

This happened in my black 93 I had a few years ago. At the time I ended up just making my own brace.