Shifting Issues

[musclecar64]

My 94 Corolla has a 4A-FE with a 5 speed manual. Over the last several weeks, I've noticed that it is easy to knock/pop the shifter out of gear, especially when in 4th gear and also significantly in 3rd gear. When parked, it is easy to pop the shifter out of any gear. Shifts aren't always smooth, and I'm starting to panic. It feels like there's a lot more slop in the shifter than than there should be. I know that that clutch is pretty worn, as it doesn't have much bite, and toyota told me that a new clutch would fix the issue, but why is the problem worse in 3rd and 4th then? What can the problem be?

[Steelballz]

I have had this problem on some of the past 5 gearboxes (I've a heavy right foot).the travel of the gearstick, when in gear, should be about half an inch or thereabouts on a good one.

please note this may be cause by the small bushing on the top of the gearbox...to find it, follow this and you'll see what I mean:

see where the gear cables go onto the gearbox, they are held in place with a small pin and a washer (this is standard with the washer, not some idiot after doing a cheap fix lol)...take off the cable, inspect the bushing in the end of the cable (POSSIBLE problem #1)
if both these cable bushings are ok and have no excessive play when conected, then check the small bushing on the gearbox hinted at above...
there is a vertical and horizontal cable on the 'box, and the horizontal cable makes the gearstick in the car move from left to right...try and take the linkage on the gearbox off, there is a small square bushing inbetween that that can also wear out (POSSIBLE problem #2)


the gear linkage in the car usually survives very well, my own car had over 300k Miles and was still fine


hope this helps

[musclecar64]

I was kinda hoping it was in the shifter end or linkage, and not the inside of the transmission. Good thing I've got tomorow off work to look at it. (fingers crossed)

[Steelballz]

those are my idea's from past experiences, but then its not a guarantee...fingers crossed its some small crappy bushing though

[musclecar64]

Ok. Looked at the shifter linkage at the gearbox end this morning. Lots of slop throughout. One or more of those bushings seems indeed to be shot. Now my problem is in finding the bushings (replacements). I can't find them online, and toyota can only sell me a shifter cable with the bushing for about $300 A PIECE. Where can I get these bushings?

[Steelballz]

bring the bushings into some place that sell them and get one thats near enough the same shape/size or had the same fittings and just cut it to size?

it'd be a cheap enough fix anyway

[speedy25]

Finally got under my car to investigate the same problem of third gear not staying engaged.

While the bushings were a bit sloppy I found something else that has commonly been a shifting issue.

The bushing on the end of the shifter cable was rusted to the post. With the help of some penetrating lube I was able to get them off, clean the posts and install the bushings using some waterproof grease.

I'm tired so I didnt do a test drive yet. I took some pics so I'll post it as a DIY later.

-SP

[musclecar64]

Took a closer look at the bushings. The one that is vertical is SHOT. I ordered a set of brass machined bushings off ebay. Might be here today. They're the "small, small" set as opposed to the "one big, one small" set for Toyota MTs. Hope they fit.

[agreenprizm]

Is there any good way of getting a frozen bushing off? I've tried using penetrating lube and trying to pry it off but no luck so far.

[BigDAT]

Originally Posted by agreenprizm

Is there any good way of getting a frozen bushing off? I've tried using penetrating lube and trying to pry it off but no luck so far.

try heating it up (JUST GET IT WARM) and try the lube again, the expansion of the bushing crack the sealed inner side, then hit it with some penetrating lube and wiggle it off, make sure you let the bushing cool a little bit before you put the lube on, or the expanded bushing will block the lube from getting in.

EDIT:

http://www.prostreetonline.com/x/pro...r-bushings.asp
might have what you need

[speedy25]

for me I was able to pry one off and the other was more stubborn but i rotated that one off. Just keep at it they will loosen and eventually slide off.

-SP