Ball bearing short shifter ! - Page 20 - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

amagalla · 11-10-2016, 08:39 PM

Got mine a couple of days ago. looks great. now....do you have a dyi install guide rightup?

grc0456 · 11-11-2016, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amagalla

Got mine a couple of days ago. looks great. now....do you have a dyi install guide rightup?

Yeah, I used the instructions Ben recommends and I am not the world's best DIYer. I was able to do it. More time was spent reassembling the console than anything else. It does require some niggling to get it back in.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Ben006 · 11-11-2016, 03:35 AM

Porsche Boxster Short Shift Kit (SSK) Installation and Shift Bushing Replacement - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article

Pelicanpart's article is very good!

Also B&M's instructions: http://www.****************************************/images/bm/transmission-and-drivetrain/pdf/45135-installation-instructions.pdf

I really recommend to take the assembly out of the car, it makes it way easier!

Also, if you can adjust your handbrake to go higher, it makes getting the center console out easier.

Ben

Gelbster · 11-11-2016, 09:28 AM

Search on You Tube if you are a visual learner. The vids may not be exact but it will get you started. For example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwejQYLIgQs

amagalla · 11-11-2016, 10:40 AM

You know, I realized my stupidity as soon as I sent the comment. I've seen so many of the short shifter DIYs that I think I've seen/read them all.
Sorry guys.

Tony

Gelbster · 11-11-2016, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amagalla

You know, I realized my stupidity as soon as I sent the comment. I've seen so many of the short shifter DIYs that I think I've seen/read them all.
Sorry guys.

Tony

So could you link the best video for the rest of us?

PaulE · 11-11-2016, 05:24 PM

Mine came yesterday. I thought it was going to be made in China but the box said its an Italian company! Today I finished up my nine8six projector headlight conversion and started on the shifter. I bought a shifter from Woody and mounted Ben's shifter in that bracket. Tomorrow I'll install it in the car.

To get the shifter into the bracket, I had to unscrew the back round thing that the bearing is pressed onto from the blue part, then screw it back in after getting the rest of the shifter in place in the bracket. Then the cups went in over the bearings. I might have been able to get it all in without taking it apart but I didn't want to risk breaking the bracket. I'm sure tomorrow I'll spend more time on cleaning under the console area than doing the actual installation.

Thanks for doing this Ben!

Gelbster · 11-11-2016, 05:48 PM

The RennList people are only just waking up to Ben's shifter. You read it here first!
986 Forum shows the way !
short shift upgrade - Page 4 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Ben006 · 11-11-2016, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulE

Mine came yesterday. I thought it was going to be made in China but the box said its an Italian company!

It is made in China, they just write BS on the box to look good, but their boxes are correctly sized and quite strong so I reuse them.

That's why I take them apart and control them!

Thanks for sharing your experience with the install!
You shouldn't need to remove the bearing holder, it is tight, but it will go in, even with the bearings on

And thank all of you guys for the support!

If you have any problem with your shifter, you can always post here or ask me via PM or e-mail! I always try to answer as fast as I can.

One last thing, since it works almost completely on metal/metal contacts, vibrations can loosen the bolts (set screws and lever pivot), it doesn't happen often, but it has happened to at least one of you.
Nothing bad, but if you can, check it from time to time

Ben

Meir · 11-11-2016, 06:59 PM

Hi Ben.
Will adding some green loctite prevents the set screws from going loose over time?

Ben006 · 11-11-2016, 07:09 PM

Yep, even blue loctite would work to lock it, but I would still recommend to check it when you can!

Jeremyh · 11-12-2016, 04:55 AM

Put mine in last night. Definitely a tighter shift pattern, that will take some getting used to. Imdo like the precision feel now
Install wasnt hard. I used the b&m instructions. Hardest part was fiddling with the center console out and in.
This DIY project nearly paid for itself with all the change i found under my console!

PaulE · 11-12-2016, 05:06 PM

I put mine in this afternoon. Went for a short drive to make sure it all works, will put the console back in tomorrow. The throws are definitely shorter and more precise. My initial reaction was wait, am I all the way in gear, the lever didn't go very far! Before I put it back together, I'm going to double check the play and tightness of the end caps.

Dave80GTSi · 11-13-2016, 06:02 PM

Highly recommended!

Try it - You will not be disappointed!

Thanks - DM

Ben006 · 11-17-2016, 03:36 PM

Hi guys!

I get a lot of requests, so if you are interested, PM me!
This time I'm limiting the number of shifters to 15... less shifters mean I can spend a bit more time controlling them and less chance of making a mistake.

The goal would be to wrap up everything before Christmas and avoid all the unwanted gift package flood!

Ben.

Ben006 · 11-18-2016, 04:43 PM

Thanks for all the good feedback

A few people told me that their cups could spin inside the plastic frame this round.

Don't worry though, as it won't affect the operation of the shifter as long as it's tight.

Thank you Boxing Cat for clarifying that! This IS the correct method to tighten the set screws and counter nuts!

I have to find the time and make a PDF with all the tips and advises that I can send to you with the shifters.

If you want one, quick! If I don't have enough people when December comes, it will be too late to do a run before Christmas!

Ben

rolex11 · 11-18-2016, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben006

Thanks for all the good feedback

A few people told me that their cups could spin inside the plastic frame this round.

Ben

Yes my cups do spin in the plastic frame. So doing it the "correct way" with the hex in the end of the set screw does not work because if the cup spins, the nut doesn't tighten. The cup, nut and set screw will turn together this will tighten the set screw more which is the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish.

Ideally the cups should be designed so they catch somewhere to prevent turning.

However, that said, anyone with half a brain can figure out how to prevent the cup from spinning to tighten the nut. I just pointed out that since everything is soft aluminum, clamping it with anything aggressive like pliers will gouge the aluminum.

Still a five star (*****) product at a great price.

Boxing Cat · 11-20-2016, 07:44 PM

Ahh I did not have this problem. Sorry for assuming you weren't aware of the hex in the set screw. Sounds like you improvised and figured it out.

I am very happy with mine. Thanks Ben!

Ben006 · 11-19-2016, 03:00 PM

They are designed to catch on the small plastic tab on the plastic frame but that tab is very flimsy and don't hold much most of the time...

Wedging a screw drive like you did works too, you can cover the tip with a rag for protection too.

Glad you like it

Ben

PaulE · 11-19-2016, 03:54 PM

After all the work I did on the car last week - installing shifter, projector headlights, electrical switch portion of the ignition lock, I planned to take the weekend off from any car projects. This afternoon I was down at my workbench and noticed a shiny new penny on the floor, with grease on it. I guess it fell out when I was putting the shifter together and didn't notice. So I took the console apart, took the shifter out and got the penny in the back cup! I thought it felt just a tad too stiff before, now it feels perfect!