First Time shifter bushing change
 

In the middle shifter bushing job.


Attachment 529475



Is my shifter broken?



Attachment 529473



And is the spring suppose to be submerged in fluid? And it didn't even see the second spring!?



Attachment 529474

Attachment 529482

Another pic trying to get the spring out

I doubt the shifter is broken itself, that rubber piece tears like that on everyone I have seen that hasn't been replaced.

The spring is really hard to do with the transmission in, unless you really want it to work I wouldn't worry about it.

Ok I've been reading Mazdatrix write up this stuck out particularly to me

- spring, white bushing, ball of shifter, blue bushing, then spring.

So wouldn't I need the spring out in order to do the change. Also the fluid down there is normal but am I low cause it was nowhere near the shift rod

Ah, The 'return the gear selector to the middle spring' is not the one they are talking about in your description. Look at the picture of the upper and lower bushings and you will see they come with a spring.

Transmission

The return to center spring is the one I would leave alone.


Also, afaik fluid should not be in the shift rod area in a 'filled' state. If you are worried check the fill level correctly using the trans fill plugs.

Ok thank you for clarifying for me

The Return spring,The one that looks like a Paper clip does NOT come out.
It is wrapped around that shaft and is not an easy task to replace.
See the pic here. (just scroll down)
Transmission

Thanks man I'll have to hold off on replacing that in the mean time ill order a new inner boot for the shifter

the shifter itself looks fine but there should be a half moon shaped plastic insert which is gone on yours so it will still feel sloppy unless you install a new one.

it's also a good idea to remove the inspection cover and clean out the area with brake cleaner and refill it with new fluid. all the debris from the broken bushings floats around in there.

it might also not be a bad idea to deburr the upper large ball portion of the shifter first so that it doesn't chew up the new bushings, use some fine sandpaper and make it smooth again.

Will be getting on that right now.

hey pardon the thread jack, but the other day i picked up a transmission and it had this piece sitting in the shift lever bore

Attachment 647478
Attachment 647479
Attachment 647480

can anybody tell me what this is for? i tried installing it into my transmission with the factory lever when i replaced the bushings, but the lever would not fit with it installed. maybe for an aftermarket short shift kit?
just wondering if anyone had seen this before

So drained some of the fluid to get a better look down there.

Attachment 529531

Is there suppose to be only one return spring? Before I took it apart (thinking all I need were bushing) I noticed the tension was different on the lever. Coming from 1st and 2nd was firm return back to neutral coming from 5th and reverse was none existing it seemed no spring tension at all. So it's looking like I may have to change out just about everything

Attachment 529532



Attachment 529533

So now I need the inner boot, groove bushing, and a new shift lever it seems

That's for a short shift kit, remove it if you are installing the factory shifter.

That's what happens if the shift return spring is broken. Its not a critical part so its up to your discretion if you think the effort spent replacing it is worth the 'return' action of the shifter. I personally think its a waste of time but if you want your car exactly like it came from the factory then by all means go replace it. I would suggest looking at the diy threads on it before you attempt it.

i just finished rebuilding my trans and op, i wouldn't bother with the return spring unless you are removing the trans for any reason.
to replace, you must remove the extension housing. then the control rod can be removed to replace the spring. i changed mine since it was broken. mine doesn't return from 5th/R to center with a snap like i thought it would even with a new one. only from 1st/2nd. tbh, i don't think it's even supposed to. i may be wrong, but from what i'd gathered, it isn't. and it is for sure installed correctly, as i made sure to source multiple referances before putting it back together

looking at that pic, it doesn't even look like yours is broken. usually that entire hairpin snaps off

Ok thanks man I really appreciate the reassurance on that I did plan to remove the trans eventually for TII swap but I'll leave it alone for now and just get the parts I really need so I can get the job done

the wire spring is for the 1/2 to center gate return, the 5/6 return gate is a spring+plunger mechanism mounted to the side of the shifter housing. with that centering pin bushing gone i doubt both returns will work very well.

welfare, that shim is for a short shifter. you don't need it for a stock shifter.

aww i see. that detent below the shift lever, in the ext. housing is for 5/R return. dammit. i was sure i installed it correctly. you have to hold the control rod boss to the side while its installed. it seemed right when i put it together. i guess not tho. oh well, i believe that can be reset in vehicle
thank you, RE, for the clarification

AHHA!!!

Sorry if I am sidestepping here.

RotaryEvolution..IF the trans won't go into 5/reverse, does that mean that the Spring/plunger is "out of whack"??
I just had the Return spring done at a Transmission shop.I install the trans and WTF..no 5/reverse.

I would say yes. There is a specific procedure to installing that detent. And that All needs to be removed to replace that 1/2 return. Sorry. I know the question wasn't directed to me but I figured I'd give my opinion on it