Sloppy Shifter

[dereku]

I just bought a 97 Subaru Legacy GT for a winter car, and the shifter is really loose. Putting it in third is like putting my other car in fifth. Is this a common problem? Can it be fixed easily? I can move the shifter around in every gear like it is in Neutral!

[Huffer]

Kartboy shifter bushings help some, but the real solution is a new shifter knuckle... if you dig around this forum you'll find a thread with the pics and diagrams in it. It's a PITA to replace with the tranny in the car, but it can be done.

[impreza_GC8]

I'd start with bushings. I know what you mean, my Legacy with 156,000 miles on it is like shifting a wet noodle compared to my other car (an Impreza). I've got an aftermarket shift lever and Kartboy bushings but I've been too lazy to install them so far.

[chuckthefuk]

Welcome to the old car club.

My 97' GT had this problem and the bushings corrected this.
My 96' OB is extremely terrible. In any gear it feels like I am in Neutral. ... I'll be dropping new bushings in eventually.

There are two bushings to replace:
-Front shifter stay bushings
-Rear shifter stay bushing

Here is write-up that covers the installation as well as aftermarket parts
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=9841 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=9841)

TiC 5MT Linkage Update
http://www.turninconcepts.com/images/tic_old_5mt_upd_2_small.jpg
http://www.turninconcepts.com/product_i ... cts_id=357 (http://www.turninconcepts.com/product_info.php?products_id=357)


Like the others have stated... Install the bushings first. If the woolen still persists install the linkage update.

Difficulty:
Bushigns 5/10
Linkage 7/10 (only if the pivot point is seized)
Linkage 5/10 (if everything goes smoothly)

Cheers
-Chuck

[Soul Shinobi]

I just bought a 97 Subaru Legacy GT for a winter car, and the shifter is really loose. Putting it in third is like putting my other car in fifth. Is this a common problem? Can it be fixed easily? I can move the shifter around in every gear like it is in Neutral!Sounds like you bought a Subaru.

There's a less costly improvement you can make. There's a shifter center-return spring, Subaru part number 33022GA081, that often rusts to pieces (likely you'll find it's gone).

[dereku]

Thanks a lot guys. I will see what I can figure out!

[darjeeling]

I just bought a 97 Subaru Legacy GT for a winter car, and the shifter is really loose. Putting it in third is like putting my other car in fifth. Is this a common problem? Can it be fixed easily? I can move the shifter around in every gear like it is in Neutral!Sounds like you bought a Subaru.

There's a less costly improvement you can make. There's a shifter center-return spring, Subaru part number 33022GA081, that often rusts to pieces (likely you'll find it's gone).


Spring helps a lot, but there is also a missing "magic bolt" that you can drop in to two little holes and tighten into place. Apparently it's known to dealers, but not on the diagrams. Dealer gave me one. Helped immensely.

This was after replacing the shifter, bushings, rear bushing, knuckle, etc...

My other car is a 1991 Audi, and the Subaru is like throwing a hotdog down a hallway vs a Tupperware-like seal on the Audi when it comes to shifting. A shame, really.

[Soul Shinobi]

Spring helps a lot, but there is also a missing "magic bolt" that you can drop in to two little holes and tighten into place. Apparently it's known to dealers, but not on the diagrams. Dealer gave me one. Helped immensely.
We are so going to need pics of that. :smile:

[Queestce]

Okkay, this is my first post here - and im sorry it has to be dredging up an old thread. But thats better than making a new one right?


I have this same problem. I just bought a 96 Legacy TS-R Wagon, manual obviously. Its weird, the "left side" of the gearbox from neutral has no spring centering, but the right hand side does. So the stick always slops the left and doesen't spring back to the middle. Its not a big issue, but i'd prefer a nice "tight" shift action. I assume replacing this spring in question will help somewhat? I'm just not sure where it is, or how to do so....

I've torn apart a couple of motorcycles and managed to get them back togther and working so I'm hoping it won't be too hard to install this one spring, I just wondered if anyone has done it and could let me know how difficult it is? Does it not require anything but pliers to attach?? Ie; do i not need sockets or anything to remove any covers?? And will it be obviously visable if i get under the car?? I only ask as I just moved to a new country and couldn't bring all my tools with me. So pliers and some screw drivers are about all I've got! Thanks in advance for any help,

Tom

[Soul Shinobi]

The center return spring is missing. The spring back action you get on one side is from the reverse lock-out mechanist, I believe. The spring is installed from under the car and often rusts to pieces. You'll need to raise the car, you'll also need a light and one or two pairs of needle nose pliers. You might also have to remove a heatshield attached to the body to get to it. Diagram is in the last post here: viewtopic.php?f=70&t=9490&start=0 (http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=9490&start=0)

[Queestce]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply! Sounds like it wont be too difficult. Might take it into a shop and see if they can order me a genuine spring because if its missing then I wont know the size/strength. Might be able to get it on a ramp and do it with there help if im lucky, as I dont have a ramp or lift! Tried to get under it and have a look in the carpark, but its raining and I don't have a torch so that was shortlived! I assume it'll be pretty obvious where the spring goes - on that diagram it looks like one end hooks to #18 but what about the other?? Thanks again!

Tom

[Soul Shinobi]

Oh yeah, the Subaru part number is 33022GA081. :smt023

[jey]

I assume it'll be pretty obvious where the spring goes - on that diagram it looks like one end hooks to #18 but what about the other?? Thanks again!


Other side goes on the L-shaped metal tab on the bracket.

[fullCircling]

magic bolts? seriously you have a magical fix from the dealer and no pics or part #s? ya killin' me ova heeahhh!

[chuckthefuk]

magic bolt?? i've rebuilt many shifters + linkage and never came across this bolt?

[Wiscon_Mark]

I think this link fits here well:

http://www.ludicrous-speed.com/wiki/ind ... hifter_Fix (http://www.ludicrous-speed.com/wiki/index.php?title=Shanes_Impreza_Wobble_Shifter_Fix)