According to the guys at Mazdatrix, shifter rattle is a problem related to the car and not the shifter. From my experience, I think they're right. It's just aggravating that no one (including the guys at Mazdatrix) has figured out a way to fix it.

I'm no different...I didn't figure out a way to fix it, but by doing several things in it's installation, I did manage to cut out nearly alll of the rattle. Before I did this, the rattle was unbearable, and I was planning on putting the stock shifter mechanism back in. Here goes:

1) Pull out all of the shifter mechanism parts and completely remove all of the oil in the shifter tower. I went to the drug store and bought one of those rubber bulb suckers that parents use to clear out baby's stuffy nose. Works great!

2) Clear out any debris that may have fallen down in the shifter tower over the years, like broken parts of bushings and boots. Clean out any remaining oil with a rag or absorbent paper towels.

3) Get a 3/4" rubber washer, 1/8" thick and seat it down at the bottom of the shift tower. Make sure its as level as you can get it and press it fully down on the bottom

4) Cover this washer with wheel bearing grease. It's OK to be liberal with the grease here.

5) Install the inner spacer of the short throw shifter and verify that there is no lateral play in its fit. I used some Inner tube patch pieces of rubber to shim it up and make a snug fit.

6) Pour synthetic gear lube in the shift tower until the hole is completely covered

7) Complete the installation of the rest of the short throw shifter mechanism, being sure to use brand new upper and lower plastic bushings and leaf springs.

This is what I did and pretty much cured the shifter rattle. For what its worth you might want to give it a try if you're having the same problem. Couldn't hurt.

 

I have a cheap e-bay Miata short throw shifter.
I put a big O-ring under the lower pivot ball bushing to raise the lever & tighten the fit.
I also had to grind a small flat in the bottom of the lever.
I filled the extension housing about half full of gear oil, & greased the pivot ball.
I now only get a slight buzz during low rev/ ligh load acceleration.

 

If you want a permanent solution, just use rubber tool dip on the lower ball (the one that goes into the shift rod). In all the playing with the shifters I have done, NO solution is as good as coating the ball with rubber. You may have to replace the rubber in another 50K, but it won't rattle.

 

it was annoying at first, then I got used to it.

 

Flushing the tranny fluid seems to help at least a little .

 

How's your shift coming along ...if I may interupt.

 

Still working out some of the kinks (like the rattle).