Shift slop: Sudden loss of gears... Options

[kpfoten]

Hi--

I have a '73 914 and today I was driving through the neighborhood and all-of-a-sudden the shifter got even more sloppy than it already was (like I was stirring a spoon in a bowl of cookie-dough). Needless to say, I lost reverse and first, and I think all I really have are 2 and 3 (one forward, one backward)--enough to get home..

Beforehand, I knew the shifting was a little tricky, but I got used to it. Does this sound like a bushing issue rather than an internal issue?

Any help would be appreciated-Thanks!

[Cap'n Krusty]

Tutorial time! First, remove the cone screws and remove the rear shift rod from the car. Next, remove the bolts holding the shifter assembly in place on the tunnel. DO NOT remove, or even loosen, the clamping bolt at the front of the shift rod. Pull the shifter and front rod as far forward as possible. That makes the bushing accessible. Clean the hole, nuke the bushing in water, and whip it in there. (I have a better way, but it involves tools you probably don't have.) On the bench, support the coupler over a largish socket that fits appropriately, and knock the pin through. Nice to have a helper here. Pay attention to the direction of the hole for the pin (hint: Both pins go in the same direction, so you can look at the other end if you're not sure). Clean it up and install the bushings. Reassemble by carefully knocking the pin into place (until it's centered). Replace the bushing in the shift console on the trans. If it's really loose, you can use JB Weld to take up the gap, but it'll need to sit 24 hours before you can finish the job. NEVER use the 5 minute variety, it doesn't hold up very well. I'm done, go for it! The Cap'n

[r_towle]

Tutorial time! First, remove the cone screws and remove the rear shift rod from the car. Next, remove the bolts holding the shifter assembly in place on the tunnel. DO NOT remove, or even loosen, the clamping bolt at the front of the shift rod. Pull the shifter and front rod as far forward as possible. That makes the bushing accessible. Clean the hole, nuke the bushing in water, and whip it in there. (I have a better way, but it involves tools you probably don't have.) On the bench, support the coupler over a largish socket that fits appropriately, and knock the pin through. Nice to have a helper here. Pay attention to the direction of the hole for the pin (hint: Both pins go in the same direction, so you can look at the other end if you're not sure). Clean it up and install the bushings. Reassemble by carefully knocking the pin into place (until it's centered). Replace the bushing in the shift console on the trans. If it's really loose, you can use JB Weld to take up the gap, but it'll need to sit 24 hours before you can finish the job. NEVER use the 5 minute variety, it doesn't hold up very well. I'm done, go for it! The Cap'n

I think at one time the Cap'n also said that a good method, or at least one that works for the firewall bushing is to boil it, then quickly line it up and hit it square with a BFH to pop it in.

rich