it seems like it is a fairly common complaint that there is a bit of play in the shifter assembly, maybe like 1/4" of wiggle from the ****. It looks like there are no after-market stiffer bushings out there to fix this. Has anyone figured out how to clean up this slop or is everyone here just dealing with it? I tried the JCW shifter and it felt very crisp. is there a drop in bushing (or otherwise) from the JCW to the S that would help?
-Alex

 

Ok .... after much NAM research and a trip to lowes I found a fix for the replacement horizontal rod bushing on the shifter. Background.... I installed a b&m short shifter and after installation I had about an inch of play while In gear and the plastic horizontal bushing wouldn't stay in. Well I went to lowes and found this bronze flange in the hardware dept, we're the specialty nuts bolts and bushings are.

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1

I removed the plastic bushing and cut about a half inch of the small side of the brone flange, roughed up the outside of the flange with some sandpaper,mixed up some quick dry jb weld and coated the outside of the flange and slide it into the sleeve from the outside and made sure the shifter was seated in the flange. It should fit perfect. Then coat the outside of the flange where the lip of the flange meets the black lever. Let it dry over night and ur good. No more play

 

How did you keep the JB weld from freezing the whole assembly solid? If you can post a picture it would help understand how this replaces the plastic bushing.

 

I was just thinking about this problem today. pics please

 

I will, it was late last night when I wrote this, will do today

 

Ok guys, I should have taken pics as I was doing it but at the time wasn't sure if it would work.....so these are all "after" pics

Here is the original bushing that wouldn't stay in



Here is the piece I cut off the flange and DID NOT USE, again, I used the end with the lip


This is after I installed the flange, I coated the outide of the flange with JB weld and just slide it in, being carefull not to get any of it on the shifter ball joint. I didn't have any issues of getting the JB on the ball, I waited until it cured a bit before I applied it. After the flange was slide into place I coated the entire outside of the control arm (for lack of a better word) and the flange with JB

 

Here you can see the flange from the inside of the control arm....



Covered the outside with JB


Finished product, nice and tight


any questions please ask away

 

Great. Now that you show the pictures, I understand the explanation. Next time I have my R55 console apart I may fill the gaps between the tabs with epoxy to tighten things up a bit. Maybe some tape can be used as a release agent to dissassemble in the future.

 

Yeah, you could use tape, I'm not too concerned with taking the bushing out tho

 

great idea. i'll have to try this!

 

sounds interesting... i have always wondered about a fix for this!

 

how much play is there now after the mod?

-jonathan

 

So I have been looking at mine and it doesn't really look the same. After I had my exhaust put in I can't put the craven speed short shifter all the way down. Sounds as if it hits the metal exhaust covering. I don't have a jack or stands to check it out. But the thing is if I slide it up just a bit it shifts great but has more play in it now. I want it tight again. Anyone have any other ideas??

 

Thanks much. I went a slightly different way using 1/2"x5/8"X1/2" plastic bushing that fit like a glove. It was a lowes find as well, but the recommendations didn't work for my 2006 R53. This certainly beat replacing the assembly at $300 for parts

 

Hey man, I’d love to do this to my car, but the Lowe’s link you posted, doesn’t exist anymore, you think you can help me by posting an updated link, or image of what the product looks like? THANK YOU