SoCal shop to sort out my shifter, new problem, transmission leaks Options

[john77]

Shifting into first has started making a blood curdling grinding noise even when I come to a dead stop. My shifter is sloppy as hell - I dread any AX course where I get into 3rd as more often than not I'll downshift into 4th rather than 2nd - so I'd been considering upgrading, possibly to a Rennshift, for a while anyway. So, I'm thinking it might be time for a whole gearbox/shifter/bushing 'while I'm in there' upgrade.

Anyone in SoCal had this done and been really pleased with the results? Any shop in SoCal you could recommend?

I know it's rarer than an albino saquatch, but I'd love to come out the other side of this with as precise a 914 gear change as possible.

[Chris Pincetich]

The Rennshifter is great, but stiff. Best as the "last" upgrade. Worth it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

After I replaced shift rod bushings, I fixed lots more slop by changing the transaxle mount bushings. They were cracked and almost falling apart, and you couldn't see the cracked rubber until you had them off and in your hand. WEVO makes a nice upgrade (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[john77]

The Rennshifter is great, but stiff. Best as the "last" upgrade. Worth it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

After I replaced shift rod bushings, I fixed lots more slop by changing the transaxle mount bushings. They were cracked and almost falling apart, and you couldn't see the cracked rubber until you had them off and in your hand. WEVO makes a nice upgrade (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Thanks Chris. I just finished reading the tech article on the bird about this and from the symptoms it does sound like my tranny mounts, and possibly also my engine mounts, could do with replacing. Not really confident this is a job I can do myself though.

[campbellcj]

Thanks Chris. I just finished reading the tech article on the bird about this and from the symptoms it does sound like my tranny mounts, and possibly also my engine mounts, could do with replacing. Not really confident this is a job I can do myself though.

Trans mounts are a very easy DIY. Engine mounts are not quite as quick/easy but also totally DIY-able. Same with the Rennshifter which is a very nice upgrade once everything else is sorted out properly. The damn linkage bushings might be the most frustrating bits truthfully. And you definitely should check/replace your clutch cable "while you're in there" and that is also one of the least-fun jobs on a 914 but again, DIY-able without much wrenching experience.

[john77]

[/quote]
Trans mounts are a very easy DIY. Engine mounts are not quite as quick/easy but also totally DIY-able. Same with the Rennshifter which is a very nice upgrade once everything else is sorted out properly. The damn linkage bushings might be the most frustrating bits truthfully. And you definitely should check/replace your clutch cable "while you're in there" and that is also one of the least-fun jobs on a 914 but again, DIY-able without much wrenching experience.
[/quote]

I tightened and 'double-nutted' the clutch cable today. Immediately helped the shifting, and reverse stopped grinding, but first is still doing it if I try to shift into it too quickly.

I changed the tranny oil too and put in new Swepco 201. No idea how long it had been in there, but it had a really funny smell, looked like engine oil, and had a goldish foam on top of it.

As soon as they come I'll be swapping out the mounts and fitting the new linkage and firewall bushing.