Worn gear shifter


S

Steve M

Active Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Messages
826
Hi guys

Since fitting my B18 along with ITR gear linkages to my EK coupe ive noticed that there is a lot of side to side play in the gearshifter when the car is in gear

I suspected it was going to be worn bushes so i ordered the Mfactory shifter bush kit, have fitted the bush at the base of the shifter and the bush at the gearbox end of the linkage but theres been no improvement

Im just wondering if i could be the actual shifter itself that is causing the play? Or can anybody suggest any other possible causes?

cheers
 
side to side play can normally be attributed to a few factors.

- the pin that is on the transmission side of the linkage might be loose/worn
- the bolt on the bottom of the shifter might be loose
- the shifter itself, the bushing inside the base of the shifter is worn
- the plastic race around the ball of the shifter is broken/worn
- all of the above.
 
Cheers for the reply mate

The pin at the gearbox end of the linkage is still a tight fit in the linkage, and the bolt is tightened right up for the shifter too

I was thinking it could be the bush on the shifter thats worn but i take it id need to replace the shifter anyway if the plastic race is worn?
 
You don't need to replace the shifter, but you do have to replace the plastic race. Generally the ball on the shifter doesn't wear as it is steel.

I can't say I've ever measured a new one vs. a used one, but replacing the race normally cures the problem with play if all other points listed above are proper.

Mugen shifter bushings include this plastic race. We considered including it with ours too, but with how readily available this part is from the Honda/Acura dealers worldwide, it made no sense for us to do so.
 
Ahh fantastic cheers guys :nice:

Is there much difference between a standard DC2 shifter and an aftermarket shifter like a dual bend Buddyclub one? I'm considering replacing it since i'll be working in that area anyway, reckon it would be worthwhile?
 
A buddyclub or any other short shift gear lever will reduce the throw between changes . Im not a fan of them , your giving the synchro less time to equalize the speed of the gear.

Stick with the oem dc2 gear lever and save your money:woot:
 
Cheers buddy, was only asking cause i had a short shifter when i had the D16 in the car and it made a great difference, but was unsure as the DC2 one is a dual bend shifter anyway

I'll get the plastic race ordered:nice:
 
Finally got round to fitting the plastic race for the shifter, I've refitted the linkage and it doesn't seem to have made any difference :(

all the bolts are definatly tight and the part was sitting ok on the ball of the shifter

what other things could cause this?
 
Steve M said:
Finally got round to fitting the plastic race for the shifter, I've refitted the linkage and it doesn't seem to have made any difference :(

all the bolts are definatly tight and the part was sitting ok on the ball of the shifter

what other things could cause this?
Click to expand...

Did you change the plastic bit on the ball or did you just take a look at it?

When I took a look at my old one it seemed like nothing was wrong with it until I changed over to the new one.
 
Mine used to be tight.
Now after alot of abuse it has alot of side to side movement in gear too :(
 
I replaced the plastic bit mate, I couldn't actually see anything wrong with the old one either tbh

starting to wonder it it's the bush at the base of the shifter that's at fault
 
Last edited:
Looks like I've got to the bottom of this! I got my mate to move the shifter while I was under the car and I noticed the bush at the bottom of the shifter was moving. I took the linkage off and found I can move the bush at the base of the shifter side to side... That should be solid in the bottom of the shifter shouldn't it?

Anybody got a recommendation for a good shifter to replace it with? Was thinking of a buddyclub dual bend one
 
Fitted a buddyclub dual bend shifter to the car today. Seems to have tightened up the gear change a good bit. Still seems to have a slight bit of side to side play, not as bad as it was though.. Is it normal to have a small bit of play in the shifter?
Also, when I first fitted the shifter I tightened the bolt at the base of the shifter as tight as I could, and found that I wasn't able to move the shifter! I slackened it off half a turn and it's now moving nice and freely, seems like it was originally too tight which stopped the bearings in the base of the shifter moving. Again.. Is it normal to have to leave a little bit of slack in the bolt to allow the bearings to move freely?
 
Yes it is normal to have a bit of play in the shifter, side to side = FINE ( obviously within reason )
 
Ahh that's ok then, it's not too bad at all, still feels nice and tight going into gear so I'd imagine it's ok:))
 
I think its the general wear on the gear linkages....
 
That's the conclusion I was coming to aswell, must just be wear and tear
on the linkages and the internals of the box

it's miles better now so it'll do me fine!
 
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