Had a good shop replace clutch of my 2006 base hatchback. Drives beautifully for two weeks at which point I lose the ability to shift into all gears except 3 and 4. Clutch still works beautifully, shift lever moves freely from side to side and does not center itself. The forward and backward movement of the stick seems normal. Addendum: The shop also replaced and charged me for a new airbox hose, the old one was torn. Now I wonder if they tried to lower the engine/subframe assembly while those were still attached, stressing them, then correcting this before loweinrg the whole assembly completely. Could the clutch replacement have exacerbated this failure, or can it only be chalked up to an unfortunate coincidence? TIA

 

I'm thinking something is going on with one of the shift cables. To get the gearbox out, the shift cables must be disconnected from the shift mechanism on the gearbox. Either one of the cables may be pinched, came off one of the retaining brackets or the bushing where it attaches to the shift mechanism on the transmission broke.

Here's a picture I took when I pulled my engine/transmission the other day. The shift mechanism is that brass colored mechanism on the firewall side of the transmission where the shift cables attach. Note that is the 6-speed transmission.

 

Good call. Here is what I found. It looks like this piece was about to give way whether the shop stressed it or not.

 

I fixed it with an Amazon bushing replacement. It cost $25 and it installed so easily I was laughing and saying, "No way!" aloud. We'll see if the part lasts. If not, I'll replace both cables.