Shifter not aligned correctly

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08-19-2012, 09:04 AM
Jwett9

Shifter not aligned correctly

Did the 2 shift boots on my car yesterday. Both were badly ripped.
Now that I've replaced them, the shifter doesn't seem to be vertical in neutral. More forward and to the right.

Besdies the fact that I ripped the outer boot by accident when I put it on, did I mess with something in the transmission to cause this? Shifter looks seated correctly at the inner boot. I did notice when I put in the shifter I had trouble aligning the bottom plastic piece into the transmission. Could I have knocked that metal sleeve piece out of alignment? If I open everything back up again can I move it with my fingers to try to make it straight? I made sure the turret bolts were nice and tight and just slightly tightened the back 2 I could reach.

Thanks in advance.
08-19-2012, 09:40 AM
sammm

I doubt you messed up the tranny. Possibly cracked the plastic bits on the end of the shifter. Take it back out and examine. (Spray down those new rubber boots with silicone spray while you're at it...they will last longer)
08-19-2012, 10:58 AM
Keifersmith

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jwett9

Now that I've replaced them, the shifter doesn't seem to be vertical in neutral. More forward and to the right.

I believe the shifter has a slight angle to it and when installed the angle should be towards the rear of the car. Could you have possibly installed it backwards so it was angled to the front?
08-19-2012, 11:47 AM
Jwett9

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

I doubt you messed up the tranny. Possibly cracked the plastic bits on the end of the shifter. Take it back out and examine. (Spray down those new rubber boots with silicone spray while you're at it...they will last longer)

I think this piece is ok but I'll check again when I pull it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keifersmith

I believe the shifter has a slight angle to it and when installed the angle should be towards the rear of the car. Could you have possibly installed it backwards so it was angled to the front?

Ya I'm realizing this now after going through and re-reading this post:
http://www.miata.net/garage/shortshifter/index.html

Hopefully it is the culprit
08-19-2012, 02:21 PM
POS Racing

Is it a six speed?

If it is there is a yellow dot on the shifter here is what I learned on mine - http://www.dfwmiata.com/threads/5142...highlight=Boot
08-19-2012, 03:13 PM
Jwett9

Ya 6 speed. I turned it around 180 this morning and i think it fixed the problem. Didn't notice a yellow dot? I probably scratched it off with my fingernail thinking it was dirt. Where's the dot located on the shifter?
At the store now getting silicon lubricant spray I'll check when I get back.
08-19-2012, 03:27 PM
POS Racing

Dot was on the shifter. Sadly looks like I didn't take a picture of the dot.
08-19-2012, 03:34 PM
jrj512

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jwett9

I probably scratched it off with my fingernail thinking it was dirt.

That's funny!
08-19-2012, 04:36 PM
Jwett9

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

Dot was on the shifter. Sadly looks like I didn't take a picture of the dot.

Ya noticed that in your thread haha.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrj512

That's funny!

Pretty sure I did scratch it off lol. Cause I remember a blue mark and a yellow mark.

Well it's back to normal now that I rotated it. Thanks for the help. I feel like a shifter linkage pro now. Tried to fix the little tear with rubber cement but I didn't let it set long enough cause it ripped again when I installed it. Took someone's advice with the silicon lubricant and went on much easier and hopefully it'll last longer (the more important inner one).

Foamectomy scheduled for tomorrow after work. Hopefully roll bar installed this week. Think I'm gonna pay TDR to do it. Unless a few of you are bored next Saturday. I don't have a garage though. Been borrowing my girlfriend's grandfathers who has a bunch of tools. Definitely going to attempt oil change, filter, and front sway bar and end links on my own next weekend.