Stick lever stuck solid in reverse - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Emerald · 08-06-2019, 06:07 PM

I installed a short shift kit a few months ago and it’s been great. Put it in reverse just now and the level is rock solid stuck in gear with almost zero travel. I tried muscling in every direction. Pulled the boot and and looks normal. Before I get too much flack...I confess it was a knockoff of the Schell—but looked well built. Any ideas would be much appreciated before pulling the console?

Starter986 · 08-07-2019, 05:15 AM

Enough with the knock-offs. It's not a ****************ing Honda.

Ideas? Try here...

Boxster General Discussions - 986 Forum - for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

particlewave · 08-07-2019, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

Enough with the knock-offs. It's not a ****************ing Honda.

Ideas? Try here...

Boxster General Discussions - 986 Forum - for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Oh, come on, now.
Don’t be one of those guys that thinks it has to have a “Porsche” or large name brand sticker on it to be a decent product.

Those “knock off” short shifters are great and the 1/10 price tag shows how much the “name brands” are overpriced. Ben builds his ball bearing short shifter with the $30 shifters from Asia.

They are very well made.

No, this is going to be a cable or trans issue.

gabedrummin · 08-07-2019, 03:27 PM

I got one of ebay for 45 bucks had to remake the bushings been in there 4 years now.

paulofto · 08-08-2019, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by particlewave

No, this is going to be a cable or trans issue.

Agreed. Because it is easy to see I'd check the linkage at the trans end first just to see if it is jammed back there. If it looks good go ahead and remove the console and see what is happening there. It takes time and patience but getting it out is not a difficult job. Coins and other crap have been know to make their way down there and can cause things to jam.

Starter986 · 08-08-2019, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by particlewave

Oh, come on, now.
Don’t be one of those guys that thinks it has to have a “Porsche” or large name brand sticker on it to be a decent product.

Those “knock off” short shifters are great and the 1/10 price tag shows how much the “name brands” are overpriced. Ben builds his ball bearing short shifter with the $30 shifters from Asia.

They are very well made.

No, this is going to be a cable or trans issue.

My apology to all offended. I tend to be a little cocky before I'm warmed up, and clearly that is only after 6A Pacific.

Note to self: STFU

Thank you for the behavioral correction advice. I'm swallowing that pill now.

Doug427 · 08-08-2019, 11:36 AM

Check in the back where the shifter cables attach to the transmission. Inside the cable ends are brass sleeve inserts. There are plastic caps that hold them inserted into the shifter cable outer jacket. The caps get brittle and break, then the brass sleeve can and will slide all the way out and foul the shifter cable end, jamming it solid and making it impossible to move.

I'm going to attempt to attach two photos here - one with the brass sleeve in place with a semi broken cap still holding it it's proper place inside the shifter cable jacket. The other is a photo of the cap gone and the brass sleeve fully out of the cable jacket and fouling the cable end, rendering it immovable.

I had a very similar situation to yours, this situation is what it was. To repair it, simply slide the brass sleeve back into the cable jacket and use a tightly mounted zip tie around the cable end at the ridge that the old plastic cap grabbed on to to hold the brass sleeve in place and not allow it to slide out again. Hope this helps.

Edit - Can't seem to attach the photos. If you wish PM me your email address and I'll send you some photos.

particlewave · 08-08-2019, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starter986

My apology to all offended. I tend to be a little cocky before I'm warmed up, and clearly that is only after 6A Pacific.

Note to self: STFU

Thank you for the behavioral correction advice. I'm swallowing that pill now.

No worries, buddy

I’m the same way. I try not to post before noon

Emerald · 08-08-2019, 09:03 PM

Hey guys. I knew I’d take a hit for the knock off so it’s cool. But hey $35😳. I’m just learning how to navigate the forum and will pm Doug for the pics when figure out how to. I wouldn’t have thought to look first at the tranny first so appreciate the impute. After backing up my driveway into the garage I did find a minuscule amount of lever travel to the point the gears would grind if it wasn’t in the perfect position. Not sure if that helps pin things down a bit more. First chance I’ll roll up the sleeves and keep you posted. Bought it $5.5k w 82kmi. Put $3500 into it so far w about 1/2 for fun & 1/2 functional. Was going to track day it at Laguna Seca but the ebrake drum spring broke so took the m5 and the right front wheel lug bolts snapped off for no apparent reason and wheel went up into the fender. Needless to say there’s been one theory after another what the heck happened. About $3k later it’s back on the road. Thought I’d throw that out and see where it lands.

Starter986 · 08-09-2019, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by particlewave

No worries, buddy

I’m the same way. I try not to post before noon

Noon? That's a ...

Wait. It's only 440A. Se ya after 6. :dance:

Emerald · 08-20-2019, 12:03 AM

Doug427 had it right. Great tip and photos. Saved me from who knows how much searching. The clip on the shift linkage at the transmission broke and jammed the lever. Slid the collar back and secured it with a zip tie. The whole repair took about twenty minutes with one guy at the tranny and another moving the shift lever to confirm things. Went for a hardshifnting drive afterwards and worked great.

Doug427 · 08-20-2019, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emerald

Doug427 had it right. Great tip and photos. Saved me from who knows how much searching. The clip on the shift linkage at the transmission broke and jammed the lever. Slid the collar back and secured it with a zip tie. The whole repair took about twenty minutes with one guy at the tranny and another moving the shift lever to confirm things. Went for a hardshifnting drive afterwards and worked great.

Glad it helped. If you can, try to post the photos I sent you up here. For some reason I can't post them. They might help the next guy down the road, as this seems to be a recurring issue. Enjoy the car!

Doug