Shifter VERY stiff on 93 ATX

[Huntervf]

Just like the title says...Tranny shifts fine (had a rebuild less than 10k ago) but the shifter itself feels very stiff and it's worse when cold. Furthermore, the little orange gear indicator spends most of it's time in park, regardless of what gear it's in. Sometimes it moves, sometimes not. But the shifter effort is such that it's sometimes difficult to even tell what gear you're in...like trying to move the lever through cold, thick molassis. I can also wiggle the shifter side to side a little bit, and if I don't give it a little push to the right as I shift from park it won't go out of park...feels like something is hanging up on it. I'm on my way to the garage to start taking things apart, just wondering if anyone else has had similar experience with this and what you did about it. Thanks!

 

[PAracer]

Mine does that too. I don't think it's a real problem. It might just be some dirt and grease causing resistance. That area, being above the exhaust, heats up pretty quick and causes the stiffness to relax. I'm not sure about the indicato though. I'd have to take the console apart to figure that one out.

 

[Huntervf]

Well here's a follow up:

Took the center console out (left the shifter bolted in though) and did some examining. The shifter is guided along the metal assembly by four bolts with C shaped plastic bushings. The bushings ride along a 1/2 inch wide track in the main shifter mount. Well low and behold I find one of the bushings is broken, which in turn put extra play in the shift handle which in turn would cause the shifter to bind up. Furthermore, with no bushing the head of the bolt was actually running along the assembly, and the result was a small metal ridge which was actually causing the shifter to hang up a bit. My fix was to use a modified hard plastic wing nut in place of the bushing, and I also smoothed down the metal ridge with my dremel. With the new bushing in I then applied a liberal amount of white grease to ease the sliding and now my shifter is much better. It's still a little on the stiff side though...the other bushings were worn a bit so there's still a little side to side play in the shift handle, but it's definitely a LOT better than it was

 

[munkee]

Cool. I was just getting on to post about this problem. Guess I'll go take the console apart and check it out.

 

[black93sho]

My shifter is really stiff to. When its cold out it is really stiff. When its warm out it is nice and easy to shift. Wish I knew how to get it to shift easier when its cold out.

 

[Sho-N-Go]

Probably needs a shift cable. lubing may help but many times the little strands inside start fraying and makes it stiff.

 

[oh_SHO]

How in god's name are you supposed to replace the shift cable? I tried pulling one out of my parts car but short of removing the heater boxes...

Thanks for the follow up Huntervf. My Dad's ATX SHO feels all stiff and crappy too. Guess I will have to take it apart.

 

[95_indiblue_sho]

got a similar problem

hey guys, been a long time since i've posted but on to the problem:

A few days ago, i noticed that my shifter on my ATX had a small amount of play in it (Like turning it CW and CCW if u have it in your hand). at first, i didn't think much of it, so i kinda went with it. well, big mistake. bout to head home after a long school day, got in the SHO and started the engine as usual, took the parking brake off, and TRIED to shift out of P. wouldn't even budge, no matter how i tried. then i remembered it kinda turned a little bit so i turned it and tried and ZAP. SCARED THE **** OUT OF ME. i saw a small spark come from the shaft to where it goes inside the console. Then it got real fun. Tach went completely dead, eventho the car was running, gas gauge went from 1/8 to little past half (dontcha wish that could really happen? ), and OD light on dash went off, and thats it. speedo good, temp good. what the **** happened to my baby? she scared me!

Any help is much appreciated.

BTW, not tryin to steal the thread or anything