Short Shifter Fears!

[donlycan]

On Friday my buddy and I installed short shifters (OEM) in our cars(his-Cayman S and mine 997). Loren had provided me with some excellant advice. Since the cars are basically the same, for this job, we worked on them at the same time. A key tip that Loren provided was to mark th cables with tape to avoid adjustment later. Things were going so well that I forgot! My friends car went together easily and works fine. Mine did not go so well. The first time I attached everything together I had no reverse! I adjusted until I got all working.

The question is-just because the car shifts fine, how do I know all is adjusted correctly? I really felt dumb because marking would have been so easy!!!

[RFM]

You need a special tool for the cable possition alignment.

[Popolou]

To echo RFM's post, you need the green alignment tool to ensure the new SS is in the absolute neutral position before you connect the cables to the linkages. You say you purchased the OPE units - did the tool not come packaged together with the frame?

As long as you made sure that before you removed the linkages from the original item, the cables were both in the neutral position, you can set the shifter shaft by eye (if you didn't have the tool) and without moving the cables, connect them as close as possible to a neutrall positioned SS.

In other words, its perfectly possible to set the OEM SS without the green alignment tool, but it'd take a little more preperation and checking, whereas the tool would allow a bolt on, clip on and refit in half the time.

Pop

[donlycan]

To echo RFM's post, you need the green alignment tool to ensure the new SS is in the absolute neutral position before you connect the cables to the linkages. You say you purchased the OPE units - did the tool not come packaged together with the frame?

As long as you made sure that before you removed the linkages from the original item, the cables were both in the neutral position, you can set the shifter shaft by eye (if you didn't have the tool) and without moving the cables, connect them as close as possible to a neutrall positioned SS.

In other words, its perfectly possible to set the OEM SS without the green alignment tool, but it'd take a little more preperation and checking, whereas the tool would allow a bolt on, clip on and refit in half the time.

Pop

I did have the tool, unfortunately, I had no info on use. To my earlier question, if all works, is all OK?

Don

[Popolou]

To echo RFM's post, you need the green alignment tool to ensure the new SS is in the absolute neutral position before you connect the cables to the linkages. You say you purchased the OPE units - did the tool not come packaged together with the frame?

As long as you made sure that before you removed the linkages from the original item, the cables were both in the neutral position, you can set the shifter shaft by eye (if you didn't have the tool) and without moving the cables, connect them as close as possible to a neutrall positioned SS.

In other words, its perfectly possible to set the OEM SS without the green alignment tool, but it'd take a little more preperation and checking, whereas the tool would allow a bolt on, clip on and refit in half the time.

Pop

I did have the tool, unfortunately, I had no info on use. To my earlier question, if all works, is all OK?

Don

If the gear shift pops out of gear or you feel there is not enough movement to engaging a gear, then you'd need to realign the cables using the tool. This may not happen immediately, but you may be in the clear.

Be aware however, that because the short shift reduces travel, it increases the forces on the joints/linkages. If the cables are not correctly aligned and you start having the above problems, you run the risk of doing damage.

Pop

[donlycan]

To echo RFM's post, you need the green alignment tool to ensure the new SS is in the absolute neutral position before you connect the cables to the linkages. You say you purchased the OPE units - did the tool not come packaged together with the frame?

As long as you made sure that before you removed the linkages from the original item, the cables were both in the neutral position, you can set the shifter shaft by eye (if you didn't have the tool) and without moving the cables, connect them as close as possible to a neutrall positioned SS.

In other words, its perfectly possible to set the OEM SS without the green alignment tool, but it'd take a little more preperation and checking, whereas the tool would allow a bolt on, clip on and refit in half the time.

Pop

I did have the tool, unfortunately, I had no info on use. To my earlier question, if all works, is all OK?

Don

If the gear shift pops out of gear or you feel there is not enough movement to engaging a gear, then you'd need to realign the cables using the tool. This may not happen immediately, but you may be in the clear.

Be aware however, that because the short shift reduces travel, it increases the forces on the joints/linkages. If the cables are not correctly aligned and you start having the above problems, you run the risk of doing damage.

Pop

I think I'll be taking the console apart again. I was afraid this might be the answer. I did drive 200 miles after the install with no problems, is that enough time to tell?

Don

[gandrade1]

On Friday my buddy and I installed short shifters (OEM) in our cars(his-Cayman S and mine 997). Loren had provided me with some excellant advice.

Hi donlycan,

Would you be so kind as to share the advice. I am thinking of doing the same in my MY01 Boxster.

Thanks,

Gus

[donlycan]

On Friday my buddy and I installed short shifters (OEM) in our cars(his-Cayman S and mine 997). Loren had provided me with some excellant advice.

Hi donlycan,

Would you be so kind as to share the advice. I am thinking of doing the same in my MY01 Boxster.

Thanks,

Gus

Happy to Gus! Loren's advice was to put tape on the cables to fix their location before disconnecting from the shifter. If you do that you can put them into the short shifter in the same location. If you don't do this then you need to adjuct with the tool included with the Factory linkage.

donlycan

[gandrade1]

Happy to Gus! Loren's advice was to put tape on the cables to fix their location before disconnecting from the shifter. If you do that you can put them into the short shifter in the same location. If you don't do this then you need to adjuct with the tool included with the Factory linkage.

donlycan

Thanks,

will do....

Gus