Shifter "centering" and accidental reverse, Update - fixed Options

[burlybryan]

Since I've had my car (2020), it's always had a tendency to go from first straight up to reverse when shifting. Especially when cold. I've done all bushings from the firewall back, but I still have to be very careful when shifting from first to second. Shift from first requires a push out of first to let the shifter try to center, then carefully go up to second.

I haven't made any improvements to the shifter at the cabin. Are there similar bushings or a "centering spring" or something under the shifter than can be changed? All the focus seems to be on the firewall back, but I wondered if there is anything to prevent my reverse kiss tendencies at the shifter instead (besides the shiftee - me).

Thanks.

[burlybryan]

Welded and reinstalled. Having a blast trying to re-find the gears.

Found these threads from dr evil and Chris.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...91028&st=20

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=188120

Got the gears back by twisting on the rod in the tunnel (Chris's method), but need to fine tune. Not going directly into reverse anymore, but still nicking it when going to second sometimes.

Seems from the threads that this requires some very particular fine tuning.

[Dr Evil]

Welded and reinstalled. Having a blast trying to re-find the gears.

Found these threads from dr evil and Chris.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...91028&st=20

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=188120

Got the gears back by twisting on the rod in the tunnel (Chris's method), but need to fine tune. Not going directly into reverse anymore, but still nicking it when going to second sometimes.

Seems from the threads that this requires some very particular fine tuning.

When you adjust the rod, have the shifter in 2/3rd gear and resting on the spring plate. That will assure that when you tighten everything up, the spring plate will guide your shifter to the right location without grinding. When I adjust 914 boxes, then never grind unless the person is fighting the spring plate. Literally, you can shift with one/two fingers pushing forward from 1st and it will self select 2nd. You just input forward pressure.

[burlybryan]

[/quote]

When you adjust the rod, have the shifter in 2/3rd gear and resting on the spring plate. That will assure that when you tighten everything up, the spring plate will guide your shifter to the right location without grinding. When I adjust 914 boxes, then never grind unless the person is fighting the spring plate. Literally, you can shift with one/two fingers pushing forward from 1st and it will self select 2nd. You just input forward pressure.
[/quote]


Thanks to everyone for helping me understand the dynamics. I've driven with it messed up for so long I didn't understand the feel and geometry of the correct adjustment.

Dr. Evil's last comment (quoted above) was a light bulb moment. I had adjusted it too far to one side and had lost 2nd and 3rd. When readjusting with the shifter in 3rd and resting along the shift plate (vice grip on the shifter rod to keep it steady), the gears magically aligned.

It also took a while to understand how the shifter plate works for the gear alignments and you have to set aside the perceived "H" pattern because when in 1st, you're already set up to align with second. Now, when I push up from first it goes smoothly straight into second (like Dr. Evil describes). Not even a hint of nicking reverse. 4th and 5th are there too. I may still massage it a tiny bit, but this is like night and day over the worn and misaligned position it used to be in.

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