Just installed my mazdatrix short shifter and the shifter isn't returning to center properly, slots into 3-4 nice but hard to get in the other gears and can't seem to find reverse. Did i miss a bushing somewhere? is there normally a centering spring on the s4 non turbo trans?

 

If you used the Mazdatrix installation instructions, it should be good to go.

There is a return spring type of thing that many of these transmissions are missing, including mine. They break off pretty often. If you look into the housing with the shifter removed, you will see a hook of sorts. I don't remember how to orient the ball near the hook spring.

There is also another spring that can be removed from the bottom of the transmission. One spring does left to center, the other, right to center. From what I remember from reading threads, your shifts will feel notchy compared to usual with a short shifter.

It does seem like it's installed incorrectly.

 

If youve never replaced that center spring, its more than likely broken and i bet its caught around the shifter assembly (where the short shifter inserts into).

 

Sorry about thread jacking, but I’m also running into some issues on my S4 with the Mazdatrix short shifter.

I can get into 1-5 fine, but the two things I’m having trouble with are:

1. Sticking point between 1/2 and 5/R. Basically, if I don’t apply a little bit of pressure back to center as I’m coming out of these gates, it gets a little stuck in the middle.
2. Reverse lockout. Smoothest way I can get to reverse seems to be to the right and maybe slightly forward.

 

The easiest way to find reverse in old Japanese designed cars is to shift into 1st gear with the clutch in and then to reverse.

 

Does your shifter return to center normally?

 

actually, I’m wondering if we have the same issue. Does it feel like the bushings are binding when going left or right?

 

Yeah. I just replaced the broken centering spring.

I swapped it back to the stock shifter and it slots into gear easily and returns to center as expected.