977 short shifter installed .. some questions

[nefarious986]

So I installed the shifter today and saved myself $250. To my surprise, this went much smoother than expected.

A few things I wasn't sure about, hopefully someone who's more experienced will be able to enlighten.

The instruction here ( http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=7371 ) which indicated that I should have followed the B&M instruction to step 16, then swap the cables over with the ends attached.

To do this, I had to actually follow to step 20 which covers removing the cable tabs from the console and removing the actual console to switch the new console over.

Did I do something wrong here ?

Then, since my new console came with the green alignment tool, I left it on while I connected the cables ends back in. To do so, I had to "pull" on the cable a bit to "stretch" it to fit in at the mark.

Could this have caused any issues ?

Also I think I got the cable on the mark, but just in case I didn't, would this cause any issues down the line ?

Took the car out for a spin before i put the center console back on. The car still drives ( thank god ) and the shift is ALOT shorter. I like the new shift motion alot, though sometimes the short distance give the feel that the gear is not 100% in, though I pushed it as far as it will go. Is this normal ?

Also position of 3rd is slightly changed. Previously, shifting from 2nd, it felt like it was at 12:05 ( directly above and very slightly to the right of 4th ), now it feels like its at 11:55 ( directly above and very slightly to the left of 4th ). Is this normal ?

Its a bit of a struggle right now to get it into reverse and such, but I assume this will get smoother in a few weeks after its been broken in.

[clickman]

When I put mine in, I had to go to Step 20 in the B&M instructions too. You have to to remove the old tower before putting in the new one.

As I'd had no problems with the shifter before, when the new tower was in, I left the alignment tool on and ignored the marks I'd made and just let the cable ends drop in where they fell.

I didn't pull/stretch them like you did to get it to the marks. That may be causing some of your issues.

Anyhow, all good with my installation, no real difficulties in shifting, although I think I'm due for a front motor mount replacement.

BTW, it's 997, not 977.

Good luck!

[nefarious986]

Thanks clickman.

I think I'll redo the cable again tomorrow morning to see if it feels any better.

My only concern is does driving with this cable "misalignment" cause any damage ? Premature wear to tranny perhaps ?


PS. I realized I mistyped 997 to 977 but couldn't change it. I knew someone was going to catch it. LOL.

[nefarious986]

Couldn't actually wait till morning so I just went to the garage and tried to adjust the cable.

With the alignment tool on, the black cable ( which I think controls the forward backward motion) can slide right in, but the blue cable ( which I think controls the side to side motion ) is about 1/4" too short to drop in directly.

Taking the alignment tool off and pushing the shifter slightly to the left ( toward driver ) pushes the cable end attachment back enough so that blue cable can just drop in. Doing this though leaves the shifter slanted to the left instead of aligned in neutral.

Anyone else with this issue ?

[clickman]

Originally Posted by nefarious986

the blue cable ( which I think controls the side to side motion ) is about 1/4" too short to drop in directly.

Taking the alignment tool off and pushing the shifter slightly to the left ( toward driver ) pushes the cable end attachment back enough so that blue cable can just drop in. Doing this though leaves the shifter slanted to the left instead of aligned in neutral.

This doesn't sound right. I think you need to have a pro look at the blue cable and maybe its attachment at the tranny. I don't know if you can adjust the length of the cable.

Did you have any shifter issues before the swap?

You may also need your motor mount done, which could possibly be affecting things, although you'd think it would affect both cables. Has it been done? What's the year / mileage of your car? S or non?

[blue2000s]

Take the cables out of the ball joints, put the alignment tool in, and take a picture of the overall console and one of the cables where they end up for us. What you are describing doesn't sound normal. There may be something out of place that we can't see.

[Adam]

The shifter should be slightly slanted towards the driver. Take a pic and we could tell you if it's where it should be.

[clickman]

Originally Posted by Adam

The shifter should be slightly slanted towards the driver. Take a pic and we could tell you if it's where it should be.

The cables should fit in with the alignment tool on.

[nefarious986]

Hey guys,

This first picture is with the alignment tool off, and the shifter slightly tilted toward the driver side, the threaded cable end falls in to the threaded groove without issues.

http://i51.tinypic.com/a4vqsx.jpg

This second picture is with the alignment tool on, so the shifter should be perfectly neutral. The cable is not long enough and the threaded cable end does not fit completely into the groves. Most of it would fit, but the will be about two threads sitting on top of the non grooved parts.

http://i55.tinypic.com/2eevkux.jpg

Thanks for all your help guys.

[kpm]

I had to see what's what.

[clickman]

To the OP, did you get your problem solved?