shifter moves

[2002toy]

The shifter pushes my hand around while driving. 2nd and 5th are the worst. The dealer gives no explaination. This can't be normal. I saw a post on this but no fix. Something must be worn in or out of the gear box. Any Solutions or dealer repairs on this? 40k miles. It feels like 340k on the gear box. everything else is fine. No noise etc. The dealer did adjust the cables but no change. Thanks

[geza]

Check the engine and gearbox rubber mounts to the vehicle frame..........

[2002toy]

Check the engine and gearbox rubber mounts to the vehicle frame..........

I will. Its just that it is a forward to back movement, about 1/4 inch, not side to side which would indicate a bad mount. It is a 2002 5spd. Besides one would think the dealer would just fix it after 2 times. My other question would be this is not normal is it?

[Tool Pants]

This forward and backward movement is normal. The engine and transmission are bolted together and the unit is mounted in rubber. When you get on and off the gas the unit moves a bit. The transmission is connected to the shift lever via very long cables, so the lever moves a bit when the unit moves.

You don't get this on other cars because the shift lever goes directly to the transmission.

[mbodo]

You don't get this on other cars because the shift lever goes directly to the transmission.

IIRC, the Taurus SHO 5-speed had an SVO option of having the cables replaced with "rods" .. this was reported to really stiffen up the shifter position on these FWD cars. I don't know the dynamics of the shifting lever and associated cabling routes, so pardon my ignorance when I ask if this is possible/feasible on the 986/987?

[Tool Pants]

If you pull the engine lid off a Box you will see the shift cables run from the side of the transmission up and over the engine and then to the inside of the car. No way to get a rod to do that.

[PTEC]

Yeah this movement is pretty normal, though it can be exagerated by a failed engine carrier mount. This is the mount that holds the front of the engine to the body. Its a very common failure, but even if you replace the mount entirely, you'll still have some play there. Go drive a brand new 06 and youll feel that movement.