Hey guys, I just installed the B&M short shifter last night. It wasn't the prettiest install, but I did every step I was suppose to do... just not necessarily in that order.
The result is that my short shifter has free play (side to side) when shifted IN GEAR. So if I shift in any gear (i.e. 3rd gear) it has at least 2 inch of free play from side to side. Third gear is the worst because it feels almost as if I was in neutral. When I shift it into 3rd gear I am very cautious because it moves so freely that I am afraid of it hitting 1st gear or 5th gear instead. Obviously, I can't really shift fast without paying close attention to where the shifter is engaging into.
The only thing I did out of order was, I had my friend inside the car drop the B&M shifter in place, while I was underneath the car ready to bolt it in. I told him that he had probably needed to put a lot of force into it because I read from this board and install manuals that it was a tight fit.
It took him quick moment to say it was fitted in without problem. I didn't double check his work and took it for granted. Bolted the bottom of the shifter WITH the bushings that came from the OEM shifter, washer and nut... all together to the rod arm.
As I got inside the car to put in the old o-ring and retaining ring (snap ring), notice there was no where for them to be fitted....
Took us a while to figure out why the rings had no where to go, but I decided that the shifter wasn't in far enough. I leaned on it and "POP!", the noise that everybody has mentioned before. Rings fitted in no problem, and we finished up the rest quickly.
I notice the wobbly shifter after test driving on the road. The shift is notchy and short... fine, feels good there... no problem... nothing seems to be loose that I can see visually....
Is this NORMAL? Don't tell me it is suppose to slop around like that in each gear? Feels so unsafe on the road so I don't want to be driving it unless necessary... and hopefully figured out soon.
The only issue I can see is that the ball joint didn't slide into the cup properly, but I can't see that. I thought hearing the POP sound was enough to confirm that the ball joint had fit into the groove correctly.
Any suggestions here? Thanks ahead of time.
edit:
the rod arm connecting to the bottom of the shifter also flexes side to side. I can do that with my hands easily... is that normal? I can see the lower dust boot on the shifter from underneat the car. Uhmm... from inside the car, I can see the bronze ball bearing move around as I shift... is that normal? Dunno, just so dissappointed at my incompetent level of installation.
Sir Nuke has been a great help with my questions via PM, so hopefully his tips will be useful in my troubleshooting tomorrow morning.
The result is that my short shifter has free play (side to side) when shifted IN GEAR. So if I shift in any gear (i.e. 3rd gear) it has at least 2 inch of free play from side to side. Third gear is the worst because it feels almost as if I was in neutral. When I shift it into 3rd gear I am very cautious because it moves so freely that I am afraid of it hitting 1st gear or 5th gear instead. Obviously, I can't really shift fast without paying close attention to where the shifter is engaging into.
The only thing I did out of order was, I had my friend inside the car drop the B&M shifter in place, while I was underneath the car ready to bolt it in. I told him that he had probably needed to put a lot of force into it because I read from this board and install manuals that it was a tight fit.
It took him quick moment to say it was fitted in without problem. I didn't double check his work and took it for granted. Bolted the bottom of the shifter WITH the bushings that came from the OEM shifter, washer and nut... all together to the rod arm.
As I got inside the car to put in the old o-ring and retaining ring (snap ring), notice there was no where for them to be fitted....
Took us a while to figure out why the rings had no where to go, but I decided that the shifter wasn't in far enough. I leaned on it and "POP!", the noise that everybody has mentioned before. Rings fitted in no problem, and we finished up the rest quickly.
I notice the wobbly shifter after test driving on the road. The shift is notchy and short... fine, feels good there... no problem... nothing seems to be loose that I can see visually....
Is this NORMAL? Don't tell me it is suppose to slop around like that in each gear? Feels so unsafe on the road so I don't want to be driving it unless necessary... and hopefully figured out soon.
The only issue I can see is that the ball joint didn't slide into the cup properly, but I can't see that. I thought hearing the POP sound was enough to confirm that the ball joint had fit into the groove correctly.
Any suggestions here? Thanks ahead of time.
edit:
the rod arm connecting to the bottom of the shifter also flexes side to side. I can do that with my hands easily... is that normal? I can see the lower dust boot on the shifter from underneat the car. Uhmm... from inside the car, I can see the bronze ball bearing move around as I shift... is that normal? Dunno, just so dissappointed at my incompetent level of installation.
Sir Nuke has been a great help with my questions via PM, so hopefully his tips will be useful in my troubleshooting tomorrow morning.
Last edited:
. Hmm.. 3/4" movement from side to side? Well, it should be tighter (or just as tight) as stock feel in that regards, right? This B&M isn't as tightly fitted in to the gears as the stock shifter. About B&M being impressive... well, I would have hoped it could be just a LITTLE bit impressive. Hee hee.
