Shift coupler bushing options ? Options

[ChrisFoley]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

You can buy sideshift boots new and used.
The housing of our shift rod bushing fits all chassis years and is just the right size for the front lip of a sideshift boot.
That means, you can install our sideshift components on a tailshift chassis and use the sideshift boot without any other prep work.

[r_towle]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

You can buy sideshift boots new and used.
The housing of our shift rod bushing fits all chassis years and is just the right size for the front lip of a sideshift boot.
That means, you can install our sideshift components on a tailshift chassis and use the sideshift boot without any other prep work.

no additional work except removing the tail shift boot ring on the firewall and fabricating a side shift boot flange for the firewall.

So, you can do what I did....
No boot and regular cleaning a greasing....which is not a great solution.

rich

[ChrisFoley]

CHris,

Can you please talk a little about the stock coupler, versus the 2 types of universal joints pictured above?

Educate us a little about the advantages of each in comparison to shift feel, shift accuracy, and wear over time.

Thanks!

Q

In your picture,
The top piece is an Apex universal (helicopter) joint, made to military specifications. Nicely made, lightweight, and expensive. The ends are thin, made for welding to a tube.
The front of the Patrick rod is a new steering u-joint, not really made to be left out in the weather. The real problem is clamping onto the tunnel shift rod.
No matter how hard you're able to wrench on the bolt, it won't grip the round rod end very well.
The two u-joints in the pic from my website are used at the console end of my shift rod.
I offer a used stock steering u-joint for people to save some money.
Kits with the new u-joint are more popular, and I really prefer that design.
Its a high quality new steering u-joint made for race cars with two different spline patterns. Viton o-rings seal the bearing cups.
One end is the same shape as our steering shafts and the other is a proprietary design of the u-joint mfr.
36 splines at one end and 20 at the other allows rotational adjustments of 2 degrees.

Our latest development is that we now machine our own 36 spline rod ends in-house, ending my search for good used steering shafts.

The front u-joint we use is known as a "take-apart, pin and block universal joint."
We disassemble them to machine the ends, one end matches the stock tunnel rod and the other welds on a 3/4" od steel tube. An 8mm nut welded to the front end holds the cone screw. Our boot flange has a hole in the center the same size as the u-joint dia.

[ChrisFoley]

no additional work except removing the tail shift boot ring on the firewall and fabricating a side shift boot flange for the firewall.

Obviously what I wrote wasn't clear enough...

If you install our shift rod bearing on the firewall of a tailshift chassis, the sideshift boot has a place to hang onto.
The OD of our housing is a good diameter, so not other "lip" is necessary for the boot.
The tailshift boot ring does not interfere enough to prevent the boot from staying on the aluminum housing.
We have done this. I know it works.

Could it be better? - sure. A groove could be machined in the housing, or a thin flange could be riveted to the outside. The boot stays in place as is, but greater security may be desired by some people.

[r_towle]

no additional work except removing the tail shift boot ring on the firewall and fabricating a side shift boot flange for the firewall.

Obviously what I wrote wasn't clear enough...

If you install our shift rod bearing on the firewall of a tailshift chassis, the sideshift boot has a place to hang onto.
The OD of our housing is a good diameter, so not other "lip" is necessary for the boot.
The tailshift boot ring does not interfere enough to prevent the boot from staying on the aluminum housing.
We have done this. I know it works.

Could it be better? - sure. A groove could be machined in the housing, or a thin flange could be riveted to the outside. The boot stays in place as is, but greater security may be desired by some people.

Oh, cool.

rich

[gonzo54]

I just ordered all of my shift bushings, Bronze Rear Crown Bushing from 914 Werke and the remainder from Pelican Parts. I decided to go with a Brass Shift Coupler Bushings after reading about elongated holes and the plastic bushings being sloppy. The Brass Bushings are back order from Pelican until June 30 and I'm not really sure their supplier will begin machining the parts again. I want to move on with this project and not wait until mid-late summer so what is the better plastic Shift Coupler (Knuckle) bushing to install, Delrin? Poly Graphite?

Thanks-Rick

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

the originals had a perfectly round hole and no slop the supersessions were oval for a 911 356 and sloppy for a 914. The new delrin ones we have made have a perfectly round hole and restore the precise feel. Bronze will transmit noise and wear out the pin as the metal to metal contact in a non lubricated pivot point just does that.

[gonzo54]

Thanks Dr 914, I want to get going on replacing my shifter bushings before our So. Calif. 914 drive June 6th!

[roblav1]

Although expensive, the Apex helicoptor joint is the best. Wrap the joint in a wet sock before tig. The detatchable side requires a 1/4" screw through it with no threads showing in shear. The screw side tube also requires solid rod welded in the inside.

[gonzo54]

I'm not going to have a Apex helicopter joint TIG'd up. Just looking for the simple and reliable OEM or better bushing options that members have used.

Thanks-Rick

[roblav1]

I figured that Rick. Info was for anyone else considering it.

I'm not going to have a Apex helicopter joint TIG'd up. Just looking for the simple and reliable OEM or better bushing options that members have used.

Thanks-Rick

[DRPHIL914]

i got my brass bushings for the coupler on e-bay and they came quickly, fit is tight but smooth. they are installed in my original stock coupler. now i like it, it’s tight and some think it’s too tight.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-911-912-91...r-/142760106420

i went another direction when i was waiting for my press i ordered to time so i could press out the stock pin that was stuck, i got a new perfect shift bar from Bruce stone, then i sent thst to Rauch and Speigel, to install their billet coupler and their pin and bushing(round hole). their system uses 2 set screws they hold the pin so that you don’t have to press it into place to hold it or to remove it, so much easier to remove with the set screws. they drilled and tapped my bar for those, you would have to do this yourself or have a shop do it. They did it for me. I currently have that for sale in the classified section.

i like the brass bushings- should last for ever lol!

Phil

[gonzo54]

Thanks Dr Phil for the information and ebay contact. Do you feel or hear anything different in the shift knob?