Just did the shifter bushings on a 88SE and while filling the extension housing with fluid I noticed it leaking right out. Looked in the haynes manual and it says there is supposed to be a steel ball, spring and spring cap there. Does anyone know what this does and can I get one at the dealership? Thanks for any help.
-Cliff

 

i just have taken a tranny shifter housing apart a few days ago, so I think I know what you talking about. It gives the shifter its "spring action" from side to side. Keeps the lever in a "neutral" position, and has resistance when moving over twards you ( like to go into the 1st , 2nd gate) and has a little more resistance moving into the 5th , reverse gate. Now when I talk about the "spring action, it dosent affect anything with the movement forward or back, just side to side. It would help alot to get it back in there. Mazda should sell it, if not you can use any one off a old first gen to the 88 secong gen. Hope that helps