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| Getrag - Neutral difficulties and stiff shifting (Page 2/3) |
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Patrick
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AUG 11, 12:44 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Valkyrie:
When giving the shifter a push to the left or right, this plastic piece would move, but it seemed as though it wasn’t quite moving all the way it needed to in order to make first and second, or fifth and reverse, without requiring you to give the the shifter another little push to the left or right to get it into either of those respective four gears.
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Yes, sounds like a typical corroded select cable. Mine is really bad as well. Pulling it towards me for 1st and 2nd isn't too bad, but 5th and Reverse require major effort.
| quote | Originally posted by Valkyrie:
As you had suggested earlier, Patrick, it seemed to operate quite well with the cable disconnected from the shifter and just moving the arm on the transmission itself.
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Well, you now know what's required. Don't be like me and put off replacing it for years! 
| quote | Originally posted by Valkyrie:
I’m not quite sure what’s causing neutral to feel so “thin”, as though the shifter gets into gear unintentionally, but I’m wondering if this plastic piece and/or ball aren’t also contributing?
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There's nothing noticeably wrong with the "plastic piece and/or ball" in your picture. Looks just like mine (except there might be a clip missing where the plastic pivots, I'll check mine tomorrow). Replace the select cable, adjust the shift cable, and your shifter will probably feel fine.[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-11-2020).]
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Valkyrie
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AUG 11, 01:12 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
There's nothing noticeably wrong with the "plastic piece and/or ball" in your picture. Looks just like mine (except there might be a clip missing where the plastic pivots, I'll check mine tomorrow). Replace the select cable, adjust the shift cable, and your shifter will probably feel fine.
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There is indeed an E clip on that pivot point, I just temporarily had it out.
| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
Well, you now know what's required. Don't be like me and put off replacing it for years!
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Unfortunate I had replaced mine with Rodney’s cables years ago, but I suppose they’re not exempt from entropy either. His shifter rebuild kits seemed particularly appealing. Maybe I’ll pick up both since I believe he may have revised his select cable with a new boot since I bought mine.[This message has been edited by Valkyrie (edited 08-11-2020).]
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fierogt28
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AUG 11, 01:17 AM
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Be careful not to over-tighten the shifter pivot bolt. That could make the side to side movement stiffer, or not move at all. 
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fierogt28
88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed.
88 GT, 5-speed. Beechwood interior, All original.
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Patrick
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AUG 11, 01:42 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Valkyrie:
Unfortunate I had replaced mine with Rodney’s cables years ago, but I suppose they’re not exempt from entropy either. His shifter rebuild kits seemed particularly appealing. Maybe I’ll pick up both since I believe he may have revised his select cable with a new boot since I bought mine.
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I hadn't looked at Rodney's cables for awhile. Damn, basically 100 bucks for a select cable... in US funds of course, plus shipping. Pricey, but probably the best available. I like the rubber boot on the end (to keep the water out), as long as it doesn't wear through and become useless.
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Valkyrie
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AUG 11, 09:19 PM
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So, a bit of an update. Following up with the adjustment procedure found in AllData by putting the car in 3rd gear and loosening the cable at the transmission end, I’ve noticed a pretty decent decrease in force required to get into first, second, fifth and reverse. I also moved the shift plate in the centre console all the way back, which seemed to make shifting just slightly smoother. Neutral till seems kinda “tight”, so I’m going to try some lithium grease on the ball and shifter cables/levers to see how much that might help, but will probably ultimately end up using one of Rodney’s rebuild kits since the select cable does seem to operate freely.
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fierogt28
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AUG 11, 09:47 PM
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BTW, make sure you have the right GM synchromesh manual transmission oil...that helps. 
If your going to replace the select cable, I'd replace the shift cable too.
Replace as a pair for best results.
Rodney has the best cables available. I have them on my 88GT.------------------
fierogt28
88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed.
88 GT, 5-speed. Beechwood interior, All original.
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Patrick
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AUG 11, 10:10 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Valkyrie:
...since the select cable does seem to operate freely.
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It does? 
| quote | Originally posted by Valkyrie:
As you had suggested earlier, Patrick, it seemed to operate quite well with the cable disconnected from the shifter and just moving the arm on the transmission itself.
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That actually didn't make a whole lot of sense to me as it's not what I suggested you try.
| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
Test how bad your select cable is by disconnecting it at the transmission, and then seeing if it's any easier to move the shifter. If it still feels stiff, then disconnect the other end of the cable at the shifter. The shifter should now be easy to move side to side. If not, the shifter itself may require some maintenance.
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Valkyrie
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AUG 12, 01:22 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
That actually didn't make a whole lot of sense to me as it's not what I suggested you try. |
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| quote | Originally posted by Patrick:
Test how bad your select cable is by disconnecting it at the transmission, and then seeing if it's any easier to move the shifter. If it still feels stiff, then disconnect the other end of the cable at the shifter. The shifter should now be easy to move side to side. If not, the shifter itself may require some maintenance.
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😅 I’ve been trying to reply to these messages while in the shop on my phone, so forgive me if I got a little mixed up/was unclear/left something out here.
I’ve tried the following up to this point:
1. Disconnecting select cable from shifter. The shifter behaviour seemed about the same. While monitoring the movement of the shifter, it seemed to struggle to move as far to the right and left as it needed to in order to reach first, second, fifth and reverse with the select cable attached. I based this off of the play in the plastic ball area and the gap between the pin connected to that ball and its respective “stopping points” on the shifter assembly that the pin slides along.
2. Moving the select arm at the transmission. Trying this for the hell of it and watching the shifter inside the vehicle, it appeared to and felt as though much less force was required.
3. Disconnecting the select cable at the transmission. The cable seemed to operate freely, in comparison to the cables I had prior to installing Rodney’s cables.
4. Adjusting the shift cable at the transmission and the shifter plate in the centre console. This seemed to make shifting into gear a little less resistant, and the “neutral line” does feel as though it’s a little less “thin”, reducing unintentional gear changes.
| quote | Originally posted by fierogt28:
BTW, make sure you have the right GM synchromesh manual transmission oil...that helps.
If your going to replace the select cable, I'd replace the shift cable too.
Replace as a pair for best results.
Rodney has the best cables available. I have them on my 88GT. |
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It took me a bit of work to find, but I managed to get a hold of synchromesh transmission fluid. I imagine once it’s had a chance to cycle through the trans after it had been drained for a bit, I might see a minor improvement.
I replaced both cables with Rodney’s and also installed his ultimate shift kit and short shifter. Perhaps this limited “neutral space” is actually caused by the short throw of these three items combined?
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Patrick
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AUG 12, 02:31 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by Valkyrie:
Disconnecting select cable from shifter. The shifter behaviour seemed about the same. While monitoring the movement of the shifter, it seemed to struggle to move as far to the right and left as it needed to in order to reach first, second, fifth and reverse...
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There's definitely something wrong with the shifter then. With no cables attached, it should move very easily.
| quote | Originally posted by Valkyrie:
Perhaps this limited “neutral space” is actually caused by the short throw of these three items combined?
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I've had no experience with a short shifter... but to be honest, the last thing I'd want to alter is anything that would reduce the leverage of the standard length factory shifter.
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88Fingers
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AUG 12, 07:27 AM
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Hello, the select lever on the transmission could be binding on its pivot if the bushings or pin are badly worn. Rodney has a kit for that as well. The plastic rocker arm on the lever assy. could also be binding on its pivot point as well. These have been known to go bad also.
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