I just replaced the shifter bushings in my '86 GXL. The old ones had disenigrated.

My question is whether the shifter should come to center when not in gear. IN other words, if the selector is say moved out of 1st, it doesn't just center itself to right under 3rd. It basically flops horizontally between the 1/2 gate and the 3/4 gate.

It does, however, center itself if moved all the way to the right to the 5/R gate. This problem was evident with both the old and the new shifter bushings.

I'm guessing its a spring of some sort. Is it easy to fix?

TIA.

 

There is a stiff spring pushing off 5/R and a weak spring pushing off 1/2.

Here is the pic from the FSM:

 

Easy to replace?

 

I did mine when the tranny was out.

I think you can just get to the rear spring from inside the cabin.

Pop you boot off & have a look.

I saw a local car that had a coil spring hooked on the base of the shift lever & pulled to the right.
It was crude - but effective.

 

I'm planning on pulling the trans, probably this winter, to replace the pilot and throwout bearings. So, I can do it then. I just had my boot off, and no, you can't get to it.

But I'm glad to hear that it's fairly easy.

Thanks!

 

hey, not to steal your thread, but i have the exact same problem as u solo2.

i changed my bushings, and also my shifter won't center from 1st & 2nd.

so is there a proper way to replace the spring without pulling the tranny?