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Hey! So I recently just bought a mazdatrix short shifter for my 1990 fc GXL and I went to install it. First things I noticed is that before I had even touched this shifter. The oem one was extremely “sloppy” and I just knew the bushings had to have been shot. But it was a lot worse than I had imagined. The sound deadening and the upper boot were completely destroyed and melted together so I had to discard most of that. Once I did I started to take out the old shifter and bushings to which I had found them absolutely shot, the bottom bushing ( the orange little one that holds the shift lever ball) shattered and quite literally disintegrated to the point in which I have no idea where it even went to be honest. So I removed everything and started the process of putting the new short shifter in with the new bushings. EXCEPT, for a new one of the bottom bushing that holds the ball. This was my mistake because at the time I didn’t even see that there was a bottom bushing because mine wasn’t even there since it had been broken down so much. So I had installed the new shifter without that and was able to get the lever to move into 1rst 2nd 3rd 4th and into 5th reluctantly. But not into reverse at all. So I ended up taking it out. And did this a few times to make sure I had the bushings right. At a point. This is where I messed up. The car did no longer go into any other gear than what appeared to be 1rst or second. It didn’t even move to the right now. Turned the car on did some testing and now the car is no longer in neutral and is stuck in reverse gear. I’m wondering is there a way I could have accidentally broken a synchro or something within the transmission? Or is this something fatal? Or is this something I can fix by jacking up the car and fixing it from underneath? I’m more curious if anyone else has had this issue. Because the car seems to be stuck in 1rst or second and in reverse as well it’s very odd. I don’t understand how I could have gotten the trans to do that while just replacing the shifter unless I really did something special to get it that way lol
any answers or help are very much appreciated thank you! What it looked like with the new shifter in
Hard to say exactly what's causing your problem. You might have broken or dislodged and shifter bushing or spring washer during reassembly. This will usually cause the shifter to jam.
I would recommend first going back to square one. Reinstall your original shift lever with the new bushings and see if the problem still persists. If this fixes the problem, than try reinstalling your short shifter. As I mentioned earlier, a broken or dislodged bushing/spring washer will usually cause the shifter to jam.
If you're going back to your original shifter, here is an inexpensive option for bushings. I just completed this procedure on my '87 GXL, my lower bushing was completely gone.
I used the bottom shifter bushing Mazdatrix sells. It's similar to the LRB but a different material. SHIFTER BUSHING BOTTOM, 89-92 NYLON CARBON FIBER - Mazdatrix
Here is Mazdatrix's write up on the other bushings with part numbers. 86-92 Shifter Bushings - Mazdatrix. I have used the Doorman bushings shown in the video. I don't think that is what is in the car now but it could be. I think I used OEM last time. Also when I didn't have the bushing for the bottom ball beyond being sloppy on occasion I would come out of 2nd and couldn't find 3rd or any other gear for that matter. It wouldn't go in any gears. I'd have to move it all the way, side to side then, usually it would go in gear. I was missing the plastic piece that goes in the groove on the large ball as well. All that to say I'd replace that bottom bushing for the small ball and go from there.
I used the bottom shifter bushing Mazdatrix sells. It's similar to the LRB but a different material. SHIFTER BUSHING BOTTOM, 89-92 NYLON CARBON FIBER - Mazdatrix
Here is Mazdatrix's write up on the other bushings with part numbers. 86-92 Shifter Bushings - Mazdatrix. I have used the Doorman bushings shown in the video. I don't think that is what is in the car now but it could be. I think I used OEM last time. Also when I didn't have the bushing for the bottom ball beyond being sloppy on occasion I would come out of 2nd and couldn't find 3rd or any other gear for that matter. It wouldn't go in any gears. I'd have to move it all the way, side to side then, usually it would go in gear. I was missing the plastic piece that goes in the groove on the large ball as well. All that to say I'd replace that bottom bushing for the small ball and go from there.
Just curious, how did that bushing work out? Was it difficult to install? I recall reading that some folks had trouble with the shift lever spring interfering during the bushing installation.
Just curious, how did that bushing work out? Was it difficult to install? I recall reading that some folks had trouble with the shift lever spring interfering during the bushing installation.
It worked good. Felt a lot better. It came with a tool to use to drive/ hammer it in with. My shift lever spring is long gone, so I didn't have any issues. I could see how it could get in the way though.
thank you!
