5 speed experts: revised discussion on 'stiff' linkage

[rsfeller]

Finally had time to research my stiff 5 speed shifter concern. It has a very stiff left/right motion and doesn't return to "N" in the middle without help. Most cars will snap back to the center when you don't have the car in gear and when one moves the shift left and right and let go. It's progessively got stiffer w/o a mechanical binding feel over the last two years.

Many suggested replacing the shifter as the plastic bushings can deteriorate and dry up. Sounded like a plan and who doesn't want a shortshifter, so I went that route...

with no success (but I did get a short shifter out of the project!)...

So maybe a binding (or kinked) cable you say?

So I took off the bottom pan (under transmissoin) to access the linkage and took the left/right shifter socket (to cable) off the linkage ball (on bracket). Here is what I noticed:

1. If you move the linkage (with the cable off it) it will return to center but not all the way, it's most likly a weak return at best. Not stiff just not a quick or complete return.

2. If you move the shifter left/right with the cable off the linkage it moves like butter. no binding or concerns that concern me.

3. When you put it all back together (even after some wd30 on all piviot points) it a bit stiff again and will not return to center! Not any better...

Questions:

1. Is there a spring IN the transmissions that gives the shifter the "snap" to move the left/right linkage back and forth to netural?

2. I think there would be! If there is has anyone seen them fail?

3. Can the cable feel smooth like butter (when off linkage joint) but still be enough friction to drag on system w/o me thinking it's the issue?

4. Could this just be a weak tranny return spring, rusty pivots and ball joints combines with a slightly less perfect cable to equal up to a crappy left/right shift?

If you look at my photos you can see some corrosion from just driving my car a dozen times over the last two winters in Ohio with salt (and a rinse!). No question the salt is to blame with the corrosion. There may also be a crack or minor portion of the left/right cable boot missing, but as I stated i moves like butter (or maybe it doesn't...how do I know for sure what tension it should be!). I've replaced boat shifter, throttle and steering cables before...I know what a bad cable can feel and look like for a boat.

I hate to spend $300 on a cable and it not be the issue and a $100 used one could have the same friction. All this would be moot if it's simply the fact a spring inside the transmission has lost it's "zip" and I'll have to learn to live with it no returning to center...as I'm not rebuilding a transmission just for such a concern.

Let me here your ideas?

How rusty do these look compared to yours?

Edited November 4, 2008 by rsfeller