Actually that IS what you are doing (post *****), and I could care less what my post count is. Reset it, make it a permanent 5, I don't give a f***. It's not going to take away what I know.

 

PS - I am done posting on this thread. I hope you guys aren't seriously mad, no hard feelings on my part. I hope you guys eventually find a solution to your dilemma. In the meantime, keep on modding!

 

Just called B&M and spoke to Frank of their technical support department. He told me its likely that I have an older version of the short shifter that has nylon bushings inside the coupling. They replaced the nylon coupling bushings with bronze ones in the newer versions of the shifter because they realized that this type of problem would occur and did occur.

Frank was friendly and courteous and told me I can send him my shifter and they'll replace it with a brand new one. However, I can't get the damn thing out anymore! I also got the shifter as a birthday gift very recently, so Frank does not understand how I managed to get my hands on one with the nylon bushings as they had phased that out "a while ago". Considering that this shifter is also made for 1992-2002 Ford Escort, its possible that the shifters we got have been sitting around for a long while, which might also explain why not many other Protege owners on this forum with the shifter complain about the same problem (they must've gotten newer batches, from, for example, Mitch).

I'm gonna either try to get the shifter out and put the stock one back in or go to the store my girlfriend bought it from and talk to them.

 

Good riddance!

 

SWEET MAN!!!!

Good stuff. I wonder why I had basically the exact opposite experience when I phoned? Oh well... It's good to know that B&M is going to back their product with this kind of service.

I will call tomorrow and hopefully get the same treatment. I will let everyone know how it goes. Damaster, what's your name - so I can give it to Frank and explain that we have the exact same problem. Did you mention protegeclub at all?

 

did anyone ahve a problem with the kartboy shifters?

 

Yes I mentioned protegeclub.com and told him there were others on this forum with the same problem. Frank didn't take down my name as he said he doesn't track his support calls, or something to that effect. Just tell him the guy from Montreal that he spoke to on Tuesday referred you to him. Frank can be reached at extension/local 238.

And I believe I got a different response than you did either because I mentioned protegeclub.com and that others have the same problem or because they (B&M) are following this thread, but the latter is unlikely.

 

Ok so I spoke to Frank and he offered to exchange my shifter for a new one. However, it seems I already have the new version with the bronze bushing. If you look down below your boot, right where the shifter meets the pivot assembly, you will see either a bronze or plastic piece. This was the part that was changed in the new version, and it looks as if I have the bronze (newer) part.

He suggested I retorque the bolt where the shifter meets the linkage, which is what I was going to do anyway - aside from that he couldn't suggest anything. I am going to try this and keep you guys posted - failing this solution I am either going to go for a kartboy or sadly go back to stock.

Damaster, can you check and make sure you have the old shifter? It would suck to send it all the way back to cali and have them send you the same part in return.

 

No, there doesn't seem to be anyone with a Kartboy experiencing this problem. This also makes me reluctant to believe it is a problem with over-torquing that linkage bolt.

 

I'll check mine, but now that you mention it, I do recall seing a bronze/metallic bushing there (didn't even think of it when Frank mentioned the nylon bushing because I thought it wouldn't be visible from the top). It would suck if I have the bronze bushing, because I was really happy that we had some sort of solution.

I'll check my bushing and confirm, and I also don't think retorquing the bolt is gonna solve anything at all

 

Since I was the moderator of this post, thanks for checking on it for me, i am going to check the linkage bolt tomorrow. I also have the bronze so I hope it is the bolt

 

I was considering buying the B&M SS at some point down the road, but after reading this thread I think I'll avoid it. Seems both the bronze and nylon couplings have the problem...

 

yeah, I'm thinking the same thing...

 

well, for all it's worth, it's still a really good short shifter when it's not being problematic. But when it gets stiff with the heat, it's a major PITA!

 

Don't be discouraged, it really is a high quality piece.