Shifter Shaft Adjustment

What I did is put it in 2nd gear and adjust it until it is centered in the gate. Then verify it is centered in the gate for all gears. I had to tweek it a couple of times to get it right.

 

You need to take off the transmission cover so you can see the forks position, BE CAREFUL NOT TO LOOSE THE LITTLE SPRINGS AND BALLS THAT ARE GOING TO FALL OUT MOST LIKELY WHEN YOU REMOVE THE COVER, its easy to put them back with some grease holding them in place, you will see, just open it up slowly and look along the edges of the cover as that's where the springs and balls are. Then it is very helpful to have a second person sitting in the car moving the shifter. You can change the position of the fork by adjusting the large screw right in front of the gearbox. It can be tricky to tighten the screw with the counter screws once you are happy with the shifting action as the tightening can throw off the positioning again.

Good Luck
Helmut

 

I am a novice, having just done this all once, but-- the tricks have been posted above.

I think you did it a$$ backward. You adjust the shift-shaft FIRST then replace the pan. Hope you changed out the silent block bushing(s) too ... "while you were there."

I am sure a seasoned mech could do it "by feel" but I could not. I tried for TWO WEEKS and finally gave up.


Adjusting the lever is easy but a PITA. Put the shift lever in second, loosen the locking nuts on the shaft and adjust away rotating the shaft (hence, lever) and/or 'turn-buckle' until you have the same amount of space from the gate all the way around the lever. Then shift to third. Check this spacing also.

Judging lever spacing between second and third, I looked for lateral space (left and right) to be equal. If it is laterally equal in second it should be equal in third. I then adjusted for space between the lever and the end of the gate to be equal in both second and third. Then tightened it up. TIGHT.

ALL THIS MUST be accomplished ensuring the rear shaft and gear "engagement Y" in the tranny does not move from perfect alignment which is VERY possible (read: likely) when you losen the exposed locking nuts.

Although not impossible, that is why this is USUALLY suggested as a two person job; one to shift and one to adjust.

You can either: a) Try it blind (then see also (b) , b) Pop the pan off, or c) Just forget about it until "next time."

Good Luck with whatever you decide.


Oh, another thought. IF you could figure out a way to LOCK the rear end of the shaft to keep it from rotating, THAT Just MIGHT work.

 

+1 on replacing the shift bushings!!!

 

Joe,
This is the best advice...and you're looking to center the shifter handle both latterly and horizontally in the gate, whilst in sencond..then in third. In other words, when you're in second, the shifter should be centered in the gated area for that gear. Notice how far "North" the shifter is in second...then go into third and verify that the shifter is the same distance from the end of the gate that you were while you were in second.

At the transaxle, you'll see a "turnbuckle" with a lock nut on each end. One of the nuts is RHS, the other LHS. You loosening these nuts, you'll be able to lengthen/shorten and adjust the angle of the shifter rod going into the car. Only a tiny, tiny adjustment will be needed, so prudence is key here.

Although not a mandatory step, sometimes it does come down to this. If so Joe, I have a "tool" that you're welcome to borrow to hold the shifter balls and detent springs in place whilst doing this adjustment.

Not really...he simply replaced the engine oil pan, so the shifter forks weren't visible. On the other hand, replacing the silent block bushing is always a great idea while you're doing a shifter shaft seal replacement.

Yep...this pretty much sums it up!

 

Yep, misread the OP. Seriously, thanx for pointing that out.

 

do your search for shifter shaft seal replacement. there are several very consice procedures on making the adjustment in there. it is very tricky but if you go through all the threads all will be revealed. the best thing is it's a cheap fix requiring mostly time. it's one of those back and forth things. perserverance furthers. good luck