The Manual Shifter in my 5 speed 90' Protege
is loose. It is easy enough to shift,
but I hear a clang from metal to metal contact
when shifting. It seems much different
from the other manuals I have driven.

It has always done this for the short time I
have owned it.

Just three short questions...

1. This is abnormal, isn't it?
2. What are the consequence of doing nothing?
3. If it must be corrected what is the best way
to proceed?

Thanks

 

My '90 began to get noticeably loose starting around 170,000 miles. Now she's at 230,000 miles and even more loose....but since you and I both know where the positions are there should be no problem. The bushings in the linkage are all worn out and so it's just sloppy is all. As FYI I'm still on the original clutch and tranny.

 

topfile... it depends on the "clang". If the shifter is that loose it could just be from improper alignment when you shift. The only way to be sure is to check the linkage/bushings and make sure everything up to the transmission is brought up to snuff. If you still the noise when you shift it could be internal problems. The consequence of doing nothing depends on what the problem is.

Question: Do you feel anything in the shift lever or in the car at the moment you hear the clang?

 

The clang could be coming from worn bushings in the base of the shifter where it connects to the shift rod. There are 2 nylon bushings, one on either side of the shifter which act as a barrier between the steel shifter and the steel rod. They could be worn out or completely gone, which would result in a loose feeling shifter and a steel on steel sound.

You could buy these bushings at the dealer and have them replaced, or alternatively you could replace the whole shifter with one of our short shifters which completely eliminate these bushings and replace them with industrial grade ball bearings. Our shifters are actually on sale right now, and we're offering free shipping. Check out:

http://www.twmperformance.com/shorts...rtshifters.htm

for details. If you plan on repairing the problem and are going to have the shifter out of the car anyway, it may not be much more expensive to replace it with a higher performance part.

Kevin Thibault
TWM Performance
www.twmperformance.com