Pulsating shifter in 3rd gear on TR

I recently had the opportunity to drive a 89 TR and while the shifter was in 3rd gear, as i rested my hand on it, there was a light pulsating action coming from it. If i pushed back with more pressure, the pulsating increased so i stopped doing it. With the car in 3rd gear and just touching the shifter, there was no pulsating feeling. The car ran good and did not kick out of any gears all the way to fourth. Unfortunately, i didn't try this in any other gear.

I believe i read that a bouncing shifter signifies a transmission rebuild is in the future and i was wondering if anyone could confirm the pulsating i felt was indicative to this or maybe this is just the way the shifter feels on all TR's. Thanks in advance to all.

 

As a long-time TR owner, I would like to know too. A lot depends on the shifter adjustment and proper clutch function. I have heard there are certain symptoms to look for, but what should we look for other than the obvious gear whine, hard shifting, or strange rattles, etc.....?

 

i have been driving with that lite pulse in 3rd since the turn of the century....no issues...here.

I have driven other early models and have felt the same, just like a hard tug is needed to go into 1st gear...hence the use 3rd first, and then go into 1st.

 

In a manual transmission car, you shouldn't be resting your hand on the shift lever unless you're shifting.

If it's easy to shift and isn't popping out of gear, it's ok. Just keep your hand off of the shifter unless you're changing gears; it's not meant to be an armrest!