Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Guys
Trying to sort out the side-to-side slop on my 944 gear lever. Bought a new gear lever bush and lever. Unfortunately, my old lever was hardly worn so it's made no difference!
Question-I believe there is a bush at the rear that can cause this-does anyone have a picture or diagram of which one, where it is and how easy it is to replace?
Many thanks

There are bushes at the gearbox end, you need to look at PET as it is too complicated to list here.

I have done Jim, but I can't see any bushes listed on the linkage page.

Hi John

This link demonstrates side to side movement at the gearbox end;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98w6EmXj ... re=related

This is a great write up showing the procedure, although it's replacement with a short shift kit the principle is the same for like for like.

http://944foot2thefloor.blogspot.com/20 ... nkage.html

This shows the linkage complete with white plastic bush which is the part that wears. You will need to replace the complete linkage.

This is quite a straightforward job especially with the box removed, however the linkage is awkward to get at in situ and there is a high chance that the bolt which secures it will be seized / corroded and thus a pig to get off - plenty of WD40 etc.

Whilst you're thinking about tackling the job it's worth getting under the car and lubricating the existing linkage to see if it makes a small difference.

Hope this helps, let us know how you get on.

Peter

Thanks very much Peter. The transaxle is still in the car so If I'm to change it, it would need to be in situ. I will get under and have a look-armed with WD40 and Plus Gas !
The short shift kit seems to only be available from the US so I'm going to price up a standard linkage, but I can't find a part number on the PET for it. Any ideas?
Many thanks.

Just to butt in on this one, my gear lever has lots of side to side play too. I was going to look at replacing the lever and the circular bearing/bush at the bottom as this seems a fairly straight forward job, however based on this thread it would appear it doesnt always fix it. What is the general opinion of the forum regarding sloppy gear lever, does it always end up being the linkage on the box that solves it or is it worth spening time replacing the lever etc?

I believe that it's most commonly the lever itself-it's just that it wasn't on mine!

Hi

Done some digging. Part is an 'intermediate shift lever' and the part number is 944 424 013 02.

I think it's likley to cost just over £100 so might be worth seeing if its worth investing in a short shift kit or maybe a decent used one - I paid £25 for a very good used one, but I guess its down to preference in this respect.

I also replaced the gear stick and it made a huge difference but like John it highlighted the problem at the rear. When the gearstick is so sloppy there's room to almost find where the gate should be. I would certainly replace the gearstick and bush first before attempting the rear purely on the basis that it's very straightforward, cheap and likely to make a big improvement.

John are you thinking of having a go at it?

Peter

might have a solution ...an engineer friend may be able to repair an old one.. reckons about £50 ,ill let you know tomorrow!

I am thinking of having a go at the rear link. I think it would have to be a short shift or a repaired one though as £100 seems a bit steep for standard! I would be interested to hear if repair is possible, thanks!

Did you change the gearlever bushes for 968 ones? These need to be drilled out to 11.4mm in th actutor rod that goes to the gearbox. The rear linkage can be replaced withoutgetting the box off but is a bit of a faff. If you do buy a new Porsche one, it is wise to strip it and grease them as Porsche don't seem to bother!
Alasdair

No, I was going to use the 968 lever mod, but there was virtually no wear at all-the main change rod fits to the new lever perfectly with no movement or slop. When I do the rear link, it will be with the box in the car so I'm prepared for a lot of faff....

There are 4 wear points in the rear linkage and in my experience it is usually a combination of slop in each, in addition the the cabin levers 2 wear points that gives such a "loose" lever,
Less than £150 will get you a gear change like new!
There are some very cheap improvements that can be made to the plastic cross piece, the shafts can be shimmed in the cross piece with aluminium drinks can!
I have also replaced the bush on the cross arm and am currently testing it.