loose shifter
 

im sure its common but my shifter is loose as f**k. how do i fix this and if i just bought a short throw shifter will that fix it???????????

replace your bushings, there is a writeup on mazdatrix on what you need and how to do it.

dude just take your shifter off from the tranny there is a clip in there it acts as a spring to center the shifter just re attach that. good to go. its a silver clip. looks almost like a paper clip and it slides into the front of the shifter there is a slot for it.

Bushings? I have the same problem.....

In my experience this isn't true, check out the links to mazdatrix.com others have provided. I've replaced the bushing on 2 different S5 shifters, both times there is a plastic bushing that fits into the ball of the shifter that broke.

paperclip? nope done plenty of shifter work on couple cars..plastic circular piece slides into place around the shifter bottom to keep it centered like jeff posted.

I have replaced both the clip and the bushings (actually the bushings were just gone when I opened it, I'm worried what other hack jobs my poor car has seen before I got her) I would say just the bushing should fix it.

+1

That's what caused mine the most trouble - the plastic bushing that the bottom of the shifter was gone.

ok so where do i buy these bushings i cant find them on mazdatrix

no i lied i found them