Shifter Issues: Broken Linkage?

[Tom Pav (PDX)]

This morning while driving to the office I shifted to neutral and felt the shifter get REAL sloppy. Then I couldn't find any of the gears, eventually found 3rd and limped to work. I am awaiting tool delivery to research it, but in the meantime I am wondering did anyone ever have this happen.

Is this caused by a broken linkage? I have read on here that that the plastic OEM linkage is a common failure, yet I have also seen the EVO linkage isn't worth it because the plastic is adequate???

THANKS in advance

Tom

01 Boxster S

[Tool Pants]

If the black plastic cable connector has broken you would not be able to get into any forward gear, but it is easy enough to check what is going on. Remove the center console and look.

You should also look at the shift linkage on the side of the transmission to see if everything is connected.

[Tom Pav (PDX)]

If the black plastic cable connector has broken you would not be able to get into any forward gear, but it is easy enough to check what is going on.  Remove the center console and look.

You should also look at the shift linkage on the side of the transmission to see if everything is connected.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tool Pants,

You are 100% on. I took apart the center console to find the plastic linkage working fine.

I then got under the car and saw:

[Tom Pav (PDX)]

If the black plastic cable connector has broken you would not be able to get into any forward gear, but it is easy enough to check what is going on.  Remove the center console and look.

You should also look at the shift linkage on the side of the transmission to see if everything is connected.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tool Pants,

You are 100% on. I took apart the center console to find the plastic linkage working fine.

I then got under the car and saw:

[Tom Pav (PDX)]

If the black plastic cable connector has broken you would not be able to get into any forward gear, but it is easy enough to check what is going on.  Remove the center console and look.

You should also look at the shift linkage on the side of the transmission to see if everything is connected.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tool Pants,

You are 100% on. I took apart the center console to find the plastic linkage working fine.

I then got under the car and saw:

[adsach]

TOM - I had a similar problem with the clips popping off. My symptoms wre engagement in the 2-4-6(rear positions) but rubbery feel and no engagement in R-1-3-5(forward positions).

In my case I know the retaining clips were bent when I replaced the clutch in August. Replacement clips are on order with the dealer. I think they cost about $4.

I also (pointlessly) removed the console to check the shift lever end first.

[Tom Pav (PDX)]

Yeh, I would suggest checking the transmission link first, would have saved me a lot of time!

Then again, now that the center console is out... B&M or Schnell going in soon.

Thanks for all the feedback.

[hpjay]

I had the same thing happen to me.

The clips used to lock the cable were bent.

Bought new ones and installed.

Not a very robust design IMHO.

I now safety wire the cables as a precaution.

Henry Jay

[adsach]

I had the same thing happen to me.

The clips used to lock the cable were bent.

Bought new ones and installed.

Not a very robust design IMHO.

I now safety wire the cables as a precaution.

Henry Jay

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good idea Henry - I will also safety wire when I put the new clips on (soon).

Part number for the S was 986.424.411.00

[faladd1]

Reviving an 18 year old thread for a reason. Old Porsches often times end up in the hands of enthusiastic folks that are on a budget. Such is the case of my 26 year old '97 986, with 57K. When things happen, old Porsches need a less expensive and better solution than factory parts. So to cut to the chase: couple of weekends ago, the Boxster comes out of hibernation in the garage, fixed the windshield washer, the oversensitive horn (teflon washers under the air bag), and replaced the ignition switch (Audi part), all for under $20, couple of hours in the sun. Took it for a spin and 8 miles from the house left me with just 3rd and 4th gears (good thing I did not need reverse). Got it home, though starting in 3rd was not fun. Sure enough, the side-to-side portion of the shift linkage fell off at the bottom 8mm ball of the transmission ('97, '98+ have 10mm). So, options were a new Porsche linkage with the same plastic/rubber ball sockets ($200+), or a metal replacement for $125. And NEITHER comes with the 8mm ball socket needed for a '97.  Solution, as someone posted somewhere (can't find it again), was two metal ball sockets, an 8mm for the bottom and 10mm for the top, a 304 stainless M6x1.0 threaded rod, 304 stainless locking nuts. See pix if I can upload. Had a heck of a time finding 8mm metal ball socket. Altogether $20 and an hour of work duplicating the factory linkage. Exactly 126mm center-to-center of the ball sockets. A good glob of bearing lube in each ball socket and the linkage was installed in minutes, without taking off the triangular aluminum underbelly. The side-to-side motion is more precise with the metal ball sockets, with plenty of freedom for the linkage to move. Thus begins the endurance test. The factory linkage WILL leave you stranded sooner or later.  Mine had a retainer clip on top but nor on the bottom 8mm ball. Anyway, if anyone is interested in a linkage for a '97 (8mm and 10mm balls) or a later model (10mmx2), I can precision make them for about $60, including the above materials and an hour or so of my time.  If you are not driving like a grandma (that's how I drive) or are racing your Boxter, you got to have a metal linkage.  I may eventually post a dozen of my frugal fixes that have stood the test of time, have this Boxster going on 10 years. BTW the top 10mm side of the old factory socket is also toast.