Problems after TWM shifter install

[TDK]

I just had my TWM short shifter with Kartboy bushings installed on my 2002 P5 today. Now its making a funny ticking noise. It sound like one of those cinema projectors, the ones the reels of film that spin or like a fan. When i accelerate the ticking becomes louder and faster. Any ideas on what it could be. Im going back to the mechanic tomorrow, but i wanted to know if anyone has had this problem or know what it is.

Thanks,
TDK

 

[KYREDP5]

Did you put spacers on the heat shield?

 

[FuNwaGoN]

Hmmmmm I just installed mine this weekend and have no problems or noises. I just installed the TWM shifter by itself. Just a question though is why did you install Kartboy bushings using a TWM shifter?????. Also which TWM did you use? 1st or 2nd generation. That may answer my bushing question. I used the 2nd gen with ball bearings and I love it. Install only took about an hour for everything and that was just me being anal. BTW the TWM kit is better than any other that I have seen as far as completeness of kit and instructions. Not downing kartboy or B&M just giving high praise to TWM for a well thought out kit and great picture instructions.

 

[ArkosP5]

FunWagon:

The Kartboy bushing has nothing to do with the shifter linkage (the rod between the shifter and the transmission)

The bushing changes the rubber between the shifter housing and the transmission housing (there's a 2nd rod under there)

 

[FuNwaGoN]

hmmm not reallly sure I know where you are talking about but I guess I didn't help that much. Still wondering which generation shifter he got. Also still don't see the need for Kartboy bushings with a TWM shifter.

 

[cbcbd]

You can use the Kartboy bushings with ANY shifter, be it stock,B&M, TWM, or Kartboy. Like ArkosP5 said, it makes the connection of the linkage between the transmission and the shifter housing stiffer and it has nothing to do with the actual shifter and the rod that changes the gears.

Making this connection stiffer allows less play in the shifts, which is good-if that's what you want.

I have the Kartboy bushings and SS and I DO have more noise now because of the bushings, not the SS. I have also read about others having the same result from the bushings. Because the link is more solid, unlike the rubbery stock bushings, you do hear more of the transmission noise in the cabin, but that is just the nature of it.

I have no idea what a cinema projector sounds like, but the noise I get is when I'm in gear, I am not accelerating (slight rattle), OR when I am giving more than just a little throttle (comes out as a buzzing).


When Mazda made this car there had to be a compromise between "comfort" and performance. You will notice that many performance changes you make will probably make the car stiffer and/or louder, it's just the nature of the game. (ie. having a CAI improves my high end torque and gives better throttle response but when I'm giving it full throttle the engine growls like a motha f***a - you may like that or not)

 

[cbcbd]

You could always replace the Kboy bushings with the stock ones and see if the noise goes away.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

Ahhh Ok I understnad now but still don't think that bushings are needed with the TWM SS because it is already tight enough. Well maybe I can see the need for it after I break it in. After all it's only been on my car for a day

 

[cbcbd]

The thing is that with any shorter shifter the shifting is going to feel tighter because you have less torque now to help with the shifting and engaging of the gears. Changing bushings modifies the "feel" of the shifting (makes it notchier, more precise), changing the shifter just modifies the length of the throw and amount of force you'll need to engage a gear. Changing the shifter makes the shifting tougher, not exactly more precise.

The bushings just give less play overall for the shifter housing-it moves less. One test that someone mentioned to "experience" this play is to engage a gear (1st) and then push forward on the stick, the movement you feel is how much "play" the bushing gives you. With the Kboy bushing that link is stiff so you feel less moment when in gear and your shifting is more precise.

If that play doesn't bother you and you could care less about the "notchier" feeling that you don't really need the Kboy bushings.

 

[cbcbd]

I used to be comfused on how this was too before my install, here's a quick diagram.

 

[TDK]

Hi guys. Just to answer your question i have the 2nd generation TWM shifter. Most of my noise happens when i accelerate. Also when i release the accelerator, it starts to make a whinning noise. When i said that it sounds like a cinema projector i ment that it sounds like the 'Wheel of Fortune' spinner, or when kids put cardboard on the wheels of their push bikes so it makes a 'ticking' sound when it hits the spokes.

 

[TDK]

Oh, and yes the spacers for the heat shield were installed.

 

[cbcbd]

That noise is definitively from the bushings. I was annoyed at the beginning too, but some people claimed that their noise went
away after a "break in" period, I don't know about that.

You have to decide if you want to keep the Kboy bushings then, it's got nothing to do with the TWM shifter.

But, I'm enjoying the tighter shifting, my CAI drowns out a lot of other noise, I kind of like the acceleration whinning now (doesn't bother me as much), and I guess I'll live with the buzz from when you release the accelerator.

I found that with my NIN CDs, the buzzing actually goes pretty well with the music

 

[TDK]

So this noise is just vibrations from the tranny which are now being amplified because of the stiffer bushings. I was worried that this new noise could have some damaging effect to the engine/drive shaft, because the sound comes from the front of the car.

 

[TDK]

cbcbd, how long have you had your bushings installed for. Have you noticed any change of the noise as time goes by. Do you think the 'break in period' could actually be true.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

You may want to check your install not saying you did anything wrong but just check it because it kind of sounds like a bearing spinning to me. Just a thought. May be nothing but just trying to help.

 

[cbcbd]

This is a thread from when they came out with the bushings, down the page they start talking about the noise:
http://www.protege5.com/vbb225/show...highlight=kartboy bushings noise&pagenumber=6


I've had mine installed for 3 weeks(?) and it hasn't really gone away and if it's less I haven't noticed it. I'm trying to find the threads where people say it will go away but I wouldn't count on it.
I don't see how some bushings would have a break in period when they don't even wear down.

Break in period =:bs:

IMO