Question about shifter linkage

john · 12-18-2004

The car in question is my winter beater, a 92 laser AWD. Mods do not matter for the question but it has 2.5" turboback, mbc, k & n, intake pipe, ARPs, no egr shit or ac, and boost gauge. The shifter doesn't like to shift into 5th or reverse. It goes in fine when driving (5th) but the shifter seems as if it almost smacks the side of the console. Reverse is sometimes a bitch. I believe Peter or someone on here had the same problem but I cannot remember. It is very drivable but a bitch to fight the tranny into reverse upon startup. Could it be worn out bushings in the linkage? Anyone had this problem before? Thanks in advance, John.

**Kracka** · 12-18-2004

You can try adjusting the shifter cables per VFAQ.com. I doubt it is a problem with the bushings, but its a good idea to check them and of course replacing them with some nice ones deffinately won't do any harm. One more thing to check, I've seen a few times where the shifter linkage actually comes in contact with certain aftermarket intake pipes when trying to shift into reverse.

john · 12-18-2004

Ok, thanks. I'll check those.

**Kracka** · 12-18-2004

Just as a sidenote, I had the Symbrowski (console) and Speed-Source (underhood) bushings and they were amazing. The kid (x1genx) that I sold them to didn't believe me when I said what a difference they made so I told him I'd refund his money if I wasn't 100% right. We installed them, I kept the money

A//// Guy · 12-18-2004

I had a problem getting into any gear, but now I fixed it after tranny removal- new fork,shimmed ball,tob. Welded pedal assembly and I have all the bushings under the console and under the hood (metal). They help but I think you just need to adjust your cables if you can get into any gear except 5th and reverse.

My reverse is tough and I know QPR had a problem getting it in to reverse but I got used to it I guess

john · 12-19-2004

I can get it into gear and am getting used to it as you were. I would rather not have to get used to it though

.

A//// Guy · 12-19-2004

Well today I took my car to storage and it shifts so close to the floor you lift your foot a mm and your engaged haha. Reverse is an even more impossible bitch to get into. This spring I will bleed it out again with the adjustment rod all the way into the master cylinder (You should try this) and then readjust it to normal and see if that helps.

Im out of options, did the new fork, shimmed new ball, longer slave rod, welded pedal and Im almost out of adjustment.

**Kracka** · 12-19-2004

Maybe your problem lies within the flywheel/preasure plate/friction disk, Peter.

A//// Guy · 12-19-2004

Well the disk had 3/4 material left on it. The only thing I can think of would be the pressure plate all of a sudden got warped for some reason. If I cant fix it with a bleed in the spring then I might be swapping clutches to something else. GRR

**Kracka** · 12-19-2004

Check flywheel step.

A//// Guy · 12-19-2004

Pretty sure that is good.. That can't all of a sudden just be off, I wouldn't think. If I have to redo the clutch again Im getting a new one, not an ACT.

john · 12-21-2004

Ok, I took the console off and checked it over. When I would throw all the way to the right, the shifter would bend a bit as it could not move enough. After studying the mechanism for a minute, I adjusted one of the shifter cables so it could throw it furthur and the problem is fixed.