My FC has been like this since Ive had it, but I just wondered if anyone else's shifter is like mine, and what you did to fix it. 1st of all, I have new shifter bushings and boots, and while that helped out a little, it still doesnt feel like it should. The shifter feels sloppy, like there is no resistance at all in it. You know if you move the stick all the way over to the left or right, then let go, and it should almost "spring" back to center? Well mine wont, it will just lay to the side. Now I have no problem getting into any gears, there is no grinding (except for really fast 1-2 shifts, but thats normal), so Im not really sure what, if any ,the problem is. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Maybe the springs in the shifter gates are busted and the shifter gates are stuck open. Just a guess.

 

http://www.mazdatrix.com/faq/shiftbsh.htm

 

Like I said in my original post, I have new shifter bushings. It helped slightly, but it still is sloppy.

 

oh. Probably what ilike2eatricers suggested. Unless there's some trash left there from the original bushings. Did you pour some lubricant in there prior to installing the shifter??? You might try that and see if it helps. I forget how much etc. I just used transmission oil.

 

I believe there are springs in there...err, at least one spring. My old FC had this issue, except only in one direction. It would sit all the way to the left...and not in the middle...

 

yup. it's the springs in the shifter housing, mine does the same

 

Hey,

Mine friends did put some new springs in there after taking out the shifter. Perfect now

Cheers Chris

 

i have the same problem. its the springs. bushing would improve it a little bit but springs would fix that problem

 

How are the springs changed? Ive never had a tranny apart before, or looked in there. Is it something that can be done from the car, or does it require to take the tranny apart? After more carefully looking at it, Im pretty sure it is the tranny springs too, becuase it seems to spring back from the right, but not from the left.

 

That link that was posted in one of the first replies shows how to change the bushings and springs

 

Well crap...if its the circular wavey spring that goes with the bushings, I replaced that as well, at the same time I did my bushings...

 

You did replace both top & bottom bushings at the same time? You should have very little up-down movement if the bushings are assembled properly. There is a spring inside the extension housing that centers the shift **** in the neutral gate. I cant remember if its across from 1-2 or 3-4, but you get the idea. The spring doesnt appear to have a part description in the service manual, but it does show on Page 7A-11. If you assembled the lower part of the shifter (below the bushings) without flipping the spring so it presses on the bottom of the shifter, or the spring is broken, then you will have the symptoms you describe. Dave

 

Mine does the same crap, it doesnt bother me though, im used to it, the spring broke where the shifter ball rests. I need to find somebody to drop the tranny for me. I bought the spring from the dealer for about five dollars. Someday it will get fixed.

 

How do you get that darn roll pin out to change that round spring for the shifter ball. Thanks

 

Here is what is inside:


These springs control the left-right centering:

 

where do we get the "bushing often overlooked" from---whats the part #...I am have what seems to be the same problem and I've narrowed it down to play in this part!!

 

where do we get the from "bushing often overlooked" whats the part #...I am have what seems to be the same problem and I've narrowed it down to play in this part!!

 

That's a good question.
I just hand made one with a rolled up piece of .060" aluminum.

 

mine has no spring from the left, but it has it from center over to 5/R, so when you pop it out of 2 you dont go past center, but i thought that was how it was supposed to be?

 

my shifter always moves back to center. The sloppy shifter is a common problem on fcs as I understand.

 

That's how mine is.

It works fine, as long as it's sprung from at least one side so I can find center easily.

 

Yea, mines like that too now that Ive noticed it more. It springs from the right, but not left. Oh well, I guess when I drop the tranny for my new clutch I can replace those springs, and then it should feel like new

 

ok does anyone know where to get the overlooked bushing from!!!
someone has to know!!!
I need to know!!!

 

i think mazda trix has it