I changed the firewall bushing...., ....and wanted to share my experience to help others Options

[Frankvw]

so....firewall shifter bushing replacement !
I followed the how-to of ROb under
http://www.914world.com/specs/fwsb_replace.php
That was of course very helpfull.
I want to show some details and tips&tricks I used to do mine
Mine is a 1973 1.7. That is important, because there are several version (and sizes) around for this part.
Early, Late, conversion, specials like Tangerine or Rix etc.
I did not have a bushing in the firewall (I thought) and the rod was rattling and the shift play was huge.
I took it apart and found the old bushing in pieces in the rubber boot and a piece in the tunnel.

So ...I asked the 914 parts guy in the Netherlands for the bushing, but he had only a full set, and I needed only the firewall bushing since the others were in great shape and maybe even replaced in its life sometime
Guess what, they are easy to order from Porsche ! I ordered and two days later they mailed it arrived from Germany and I picked it up.



You can see the differences between the original Porsche part and the aftermarket part, no idea what brand or manufacturer that is.
But you will find out there are different versions the moment the wrong one does not fit or has too much slop.
The quality of the original part is way better and the size/dimensions are looking good !




You also need the two new conescrews, pictured as well, since the old ones cannot be reused, they have a locking mechanism that is a one-time use.
I was lucky the old conescrews came out easy, probably because in the past someone already looked at the other bushings.

When I followed the how-to, it is mentioned:
"pull the gear shifter into 3rd, to separate the two sections of the rod....
This should pull the front section out of the firewall and into the center tunnel."
But not on my 73 car. I had to unbolt the shifter to get the rod in the tunnel.
But before I dropped it into the tunnel, I did this:




a piece of electrical copperwire, bend it, the bend part in the conescrew hole, ducktape is your friend to hold it..
and then dropped the rod in the tunnel.....and replaced the bushing.

Ok, here I have to be honest. I knew for sure that I did not need to boil it, because I am Dutch and we are smart-asses and are the best. Who needs boiling !??
Ok, I have to admit that it is better to listen to the American guy in the how-to in this case. Just boil it, it was super easy after boiling !
Installed it and then looked like:



After that just pull the wire and get the rod back through the bushing.

So...no need to call the wife to ask her to select a gear. She will not listen properly, it is another shiftpattern in her own car and you will get a fight.
She is also Dutch, remember , so she is also a smartass and the best.
So, one man, one hand job, no wife. hey... oh ..never mind.
And no fishing is the tunnel for the shiftrod trying to get it through the new bushing !


Remove wire and I have my bushing in place.

To re-install that rubberboot I was fiddling for a long time. Then I started by hand on top and side and used a pick on lowest part and took me 10 secs.

Car is still on jackstands for other work, so no testdrive yet, but I come from no-bushing, and the rod is already tight in there with that new part !
I know it will be an improvement !
Hope this can help as add-on on the already how-to there is !
Again...I will use the banana now....I think I earned it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

[falcor75]

If you look between the seats there is an access panel held in with one screw that lets you easily access the shift rod and push it thru the hole if needed.

You know for next time you do this.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Frankvw]

If you look between the seats there is an access panel held in with one screw that lets you easily access the shift rod and push it thru the hole if needed.

You know for next time you do this.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I know, I had it open. But this was my trick since I was alone and did not want to ask my wife to help me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jmalone]

If you look between the seats there is an access panel held in with one screw that lets you easily access the shift rod and push it thru the hole if needed.

You know for next time you do this.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I know, I had it open. But this was my trick since I was alone and did not want to ask my wife to help me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Excellent and entertaining post! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)