"Floppy" 5-spd shifter in a 2WD 87 Tercel wagon

Rumrumm · Post by **Rumrumm** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 10:29 pm

Original 5-speed was replaced by a transmission shop with a used unit. Works fine, except there is almost zero resistance feel when shifting gears. Clutch feel is fine, but the handle moves almost effortlessly. Since it works OK, am I wrong to worry about an imminent failure of the shifter? Any way to "tighten" it back to factory "feel"???

kamiphloj · Post by **kamiphloj** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:46 pm

My experience is with 4WD.2WD maybe different.Put it in neutral.A few screws and the console lifts off.There is a rubber boot around the shifter to the trans.If it is not perfect,replace it*.Use a snapring pliers to remove the big snapring.The shifter will lift out.A little black plastic doohickey pops over the ball on the end of the shifter.Replacing it helped mine.
The boot*.If it is bad,water gets into the tail part of the trans.When it gets cold,it freezes.Shifter doesn;t move.Way stuck till it thaws.Goodluck.kamiphloj

Rumrumm · Post by **Rumrumm** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:53 pm

Thanks for the info! The only source for the plastic part needed is the dealer, correct???

Gasoline Fumes · Post by **Gasoline Fumes** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:47 am

The 2WD has totally different shift linkage. It's outside of the gearbox. I'd take it out and see what's wrong with it. It could be worn out bushings.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 7:23 am

I wonder if I could look at my 81 Tercel FWD (2WD) to see what she looks like. Dunno if I'll have time to, but if I find it I might look.

I have the opposite problem

Did it suddenly just feel smooth?
Our 1996 VW Passat TDI has had a silky smooth gearbox for years. Only got better when I finally got my mom to change the gear lube (should be done every 30,000 miles.... Ours was 160,000 or so) Theres a bit of resisitance if you try and ram it, but if you shift at a smooth and standard rate, it has almost zero resistance. I'm not worried. Want to know why? We call it "Good Synchros"
Perhaps I need some clarification? If all its doing is shifting effortlessly, my opinion is that you got a very well taken care of used unit. If the shifter is moving smoothly, but it is having trouble actually catching the gears, then I might blame the linkage.

Rumrumm · Post by **Rumrumm** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 12:54 pm

Typrus: No, it wasn't sudden... A long story, but rescued car from tranny shop and drove away briskly, never to return, and the near-zero shifter resistance was immediately obvious. Just curious if it's repairable without re-pulling the trans...

waynehoc · Post by **waynehoc** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:57 pm

Here are some pics of my spare shifter & trans from my parts car. My wagon is also a 1987 2WD 5-speed. Pics should give you an idea of what is there and how it works.

takza · Post by **takza** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:11 am

Maybe there are "detents" in the trans that make it act more solid. If it shifts OK and stays in gear...I wouldn't worry about it. Those linkage pivots probably don't have detents of any kind.

Lollypop · Post by **Lollypop** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 4:14 pm

Im glad he asked this question because my shifter in my 4WD is sloppy as..well ya know. back when I drove 70's model celicas and trucks you could pop out the stick and replace a little rubber thing-a-ma-bob and it would be perfe`ct again. Is our tranny the same or similar ad where ya get the part if so

Another thing. I used to run "short throw" shifters in my Volkswagen, what a blast to drive in a hurry. Have you ever seen one for our cars?...I'd love to get one if so.

What is the model number of my '85 4wd?...so I can search and see what I can find from Paradise Racing or others.

=====Justin=====

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:36 pm

Short shifters?
I'll take my 12 inch stick any day

Imagine reaching that far forward for a shorter handle (that'd more than likely be part of a short-throw kit) The reason its so friggin long is because the 4wd shifter stick is in the way of a more standard location methinks.

I agree. If it isn't grinding, popping out, or generally feeling horrible, easy shifting is a plus?

Lollypop · Post by **Lollypop** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:30 pm

O.K Tyrus ole buddy ole pal.....

How do I say this without makin real bad fun of ya (and its hard)?

Well "short throw" has nothing to do with the length of the shifter itself...it denotes the distance the shifter travels inbetween gears.... lets say the shifter moves 4" between 1st and 2nd now...with a "short throw" it would only move 1 1/2" therefore you can shift your tranny much faster. This type of shifter was originaly designed for drag racing where every tenth of a second counts besides that for my tastes it is more enjoyable to shift.

See I did it without my usual smartassism.....WoooHooo

=====Justin=====

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:24 pm

A shorty shifter TYICALLY also utlizes a shorter arm, in all apllications I've seen.
I guess I left myself open for that one, but I assure you, I understand the concept. I have for longer than I've been on this forum. So longer than I've been driving.
I'd imagine all they do is move the pivot up on the arm to allow for a different lever point. Example would be to put a pencil in between your thimb and pointer finger about halfway down. Use the other hand to move it up and down. Both sides move equally. Now move your fingers over to about the 1/3 point and move the shorter part with your other arm. The longer arm moves a longer distance than the shorter.
I'd guess they work off that concept. Might be wrong though.

takza · Post by **takza** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 5:02 am

Remove it...shorten it...rethread it...put the knob on?

Can you say ouch?

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:41 pm

Idea. Just grab the stick right where it joins the boot and your hand'll move an inch or 2 less... LOL.

Lollypop · Post by **Lollypop** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:32 pm

Man what a can of worms I've opened.....Anyhow Tyrus dont take offence...I'm just kidding

The Toyota short throws Ive seen is on the "pivot pint change" idea the Volskwagens put in a bushing to change the throw

If I find one I'll share pics and the like with y'all

=====Justin=====