Gear Lever Query
 

Morning all. Just a quick question to allay any worries. I have not long had my 2000 986 and my wife was keen to take it for a drive. However, not being used to where reverse was, she lifted, rather than pushed down on the lever. The lever seemed to come up and excessively long way. It seems okay after that, but is this an indication of something worn and/or needs some preventative maintenance, please. Thanks

The shifter shouldn’t really lift, so you should have a look. The gaiter over the shifter just pulls up and you’ll be able to see the shifter mechanism.

Thanks. That's what I thought. I will have a look. I didn't think it would be a normal thing.

Shifter nob will pull up if it is loose. From factory install, it is very hard to pull up, but if somebody had tinkered it with before, then it could be fairly easily lifted.
If it is the case of just the shifter nob lifting, just push it back down.

It seems to be the whole lever. I was looking at the Design Tek short shifter upgrade to try and improve the throw anyway. This may make the decision for me. There are some really nice billet ally ones but they are silly money for what is does, no matter how pretty it looks.

Have you popped up the cover to have a look? I’m curious as to what you have going on.

The stock shifter does suck, though, and going to the 9x7 short shifter was one of the first and definitely the best mod I’ve done.

To be honest, I haven't had a chance yet, but I will do just to see if there is anything obvious.
Design 911 sell this as a reasonably priced option for a short shift. They do a nice billet one, but that is a bit over priced for me at the moment.
https://www.design911shop.com/p/shift-linkage-designtek-porsche-996---986---987---997---987c_2_2_2_2/

I haven't had a chance to be honest, but I will certainly have a look when I get a minute. Just seemed a bit odd. I will keep you posted.