is my shifter loose? it moves freely to the left and doesnt return to center. i dont have a middle boot and the inner boot is wasted. is that why? i still feel tension when i move the shifter to the right to go into 5th or reverse. but it moves way too easily to the left and stays there unless i manually move it to center. am i missing something? possible fixes?

 

Your shifter bushings need replacing. I'd replace those missing boots too. This is an easy job that only takes a few minutes and makes a huge difference. Read this for all the info.

 

already replaced shifter bushings. it still has the same problem.

 

Check your thread on the FC3S forum....

 

Shifter return spring is missing or broken.

 

where can i get some more info on the shifter return spring? and where exactly is it located? and where are replacements available?

 

The clip can be bought from the dealer, but I believe the tranny had to be removed.........that's why I left it alone.

If you remove your shift lever and all or most of the fluid, look down in the shifter box and you'll see where it's supposed to be.

 

Can't take the return spring out with the tranny in the car.

 

nope

 

I have taken the tension spring out with the tranny in you just have to put the frony of the car on jack stands and you may have to take a couple of heat sheilds off of the bottom of the car also possibly the cats but I didn't have to. Oncve you get under the car look at the very back of the tranmission and right above the universal joint on the back of the tranmission there is a little plate that has a cirle shape on it and two ten mm bolts that hold it on take the bold off don't let the gear oil get on you it stinks and doesn't come off very easy also try not to spill it on the exaust it will just smoke if you do once you get the plate of there is a spring and a small ball don't loose the ball it goes against the plate that holds the spring. It is possible to do it with the tranny in also you can take the shifter out and you may be able to do some of the work from the top but it is easier to do it from the bottom