'93 FD OEM Shifter Rebuild
#1
'93 FD OEM Shifter Rebuild
This morning I gathered the parts to rebuild the shifter top to bottom.
20140930_074513 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I started by removing the Center Console Bezel and un-clipping the connectors to the fog lights, defroster, bulb to the ashtray etc.
There are 4 10 mm bolts for the upper dust boot.
20140930_071956 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
One of the reason why I am rebuilding the shifter is because I know how 21 years is on rubber. Especially brittle mazdas' shifts boots from my previous ownership of a 99 miata. They are very similar in design and parts. So this rebuild is very familiar to me.
20140930_072301 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
After removing the upper boot, you can see the lower boot torn as well being held in place with 3 10mm bolts.
20140930_072405 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
In the file folder of receipts that I inherited with the purchase of my rx7 last month from the one owner who saved everything, I saw that the bushings were replaced a while back but still wanted to do the job myself to have that security of knowing it is new and done in my ownership of the vehicle.
20140930_072944 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
The Paper Gasket that is married to the lower dust boot from factory is now stuck on the turret. I had to scrape it off carefully
20140930_073058 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Down in the turret you can see a bushing and underneath that is a spring washer. To get this out I need to use a hammer and a socket extension that fit perfectly to nudge that pin back.
replace the broken spring washer on the bottom of the lip first then the bushing. The cutout of the bushing should be facing where the pin will be reinserted. I used a crowbar to push the pin back in. This was the only part that I felt need attention.
20140930_073811 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
When I removed the bushing the flex washer was broken so be careful not letting the fragmented parts fall in the turret. This is what I pulled out
20140930_074159 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I reassembled the shifter with new parts and very mildly lubed the shifter to slide the lower dust boot over. Prior to doing so make sure the new bushing and clamp flexed washer is connected. You can see indention on the bushing where the washer clamps over. Be gently not to bend the clamps. The was faces up.
I put 4oz. of transmission fluid in the turret.
20140930_080925 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Now we need to make sure the bushing that we inserted on the side of the shifter ball is facing that Pin we talked about earlier. I used a rubber mallet to tap the shifter back in place with the bottom bushing inserting into the turret. Again, gentle.
I slipped the upper boot over the shifter with some lube so it was easy to slide over and tightend the nuts done in a star formation.
20140930_082529 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
The top boot I received goes over the shifter and has a lip to go over the dust boot/middle boot and fits perfect
20140930_082657 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Place the new heat shield over the shifter like so and reassemble the connectors to the center console and were done.
20140930_074513 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I started by removing the Center Console Bezel and un-clipping the connectors to the fog lights, defroster, bulb to the ashtray etc.
There are 4 10 mm bolts for the upper dust boot.
20140930_071956 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
One of the reason why I am rebuilding the shifter is because I know how 21 years is on rubber. Especially brittle mazdas' shifts boots from my previous ownership of a 99 miata. They are very similar in design and parts. So this rebuild is very familiar to me.
20140930_072301 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
After removing the upper boot, you can see the lower boot torn as well being held in place with 3 10mm bolts.
20140930_072405 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
In the file folder of receipts that I inherited with the purchase of my rx7 last month from the one owner who saved everything, I saw that the bushings were replaced a while back but still wanted to do the job myself to have that security of knowing it is new and done in my ownership of the vehicle.
20140930_072944 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
The Paper Gasket that is married to the lower dust boot from factory is now stuck on the turret. I had to scrape it off carefully
20140930_073058 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Down in the turret you can see a bushing and underneath that is a spring washer. To get this out I need to use a hammer and a socket extension that fit perfectly to nudge that pin back.
replace the broken spring washer on the bottom of the lip first then the bushing. The cutout of the bushing should be facing where the pin will be reinserted. I used a crowbar to push the pin back in. This was the only part that I felt need attention.
20140930_073811 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
When I removed the bushing the flex washer was broken so be careful not letting the fragmented parts fall in the turret. This is what I pulled out
20140930_074159 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
I reassembled the shifter with new parts and very mildly lubed the shifter to slide the lower dust boot over. Prior to doing so make sure the new bushing and clamp flexed washer is connected. You can see indention on the bushing where the washer clamps over. Be gently not to bend the clamps. The was faces up.
I put 4oz. of transmission fluid in the turret.
20140930_080925 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Now we need to make sure the bushing that we inserted on the side of the shifter ball is facing that Pin we talked about earlier. I used a rubber mallet to tap the shifter back in place with the bottom bushing inserting into the turret. Again, gentle.
I slipped the upper boot over the shifter with some lube so it was easy to slide over and tightend the nuts done in a star formation.
20140930_082529 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
The top boot I received goes over the shifter and has a lip to go over the dust boot/middle boot and fits perfect
20140930_082657 by rocketeerbandit, on Flickr
Place the new heat shield over the shifter like so and reassemble the connectors to the center console and were done.
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EUROX (06-27-17)
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b3delta (03-12-20)
#3
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Very nice! Most every FD I've worked on has needed some love here. It's amazing how good the shifter feels with new bushings and boots!
You don't have to push the locator pin back to do the job, the bushing can slip in under it. Just angle it down towards the front of the car and slip it in under that pin. Moving that pin too many times could cause the press fit to get loose.
IMHO, a stock shifter with good bushings and a weighted shift **** is the best shift setup for the FD. I've driven a number with short shifters and IMHO they're terrible. So many people think the stock setup is bad so they put in a short shifter, when it's just needing maintenance.
Great job!
Dale
You don't have to push the locator pin back to do the job, the bushing can slip in under it. Just angle it down towards the front of the car and slip it in under that pin. Moving that pin too many times could cause the press fit to get loose.
IMHO, a stock shifter with good bushings and a weighted shift **** is the best shift setup for the FD. I've driven a number with short shifters and IMHO they're terrible. So many people think the stock setup is bad so they put in a short shifter, when it's just needing maintenance.
Great job!
Dale
The following users liked this post:
c0rbin9 (03-11-20)
#4
I appreciate it dale. Btw thank you for the check valves.
Referring back to you on the pin being pushed back, if I would have wedge out the plastic bushing, I might have unknowingly drop a piece of the metal washer in the turret. That would have been a headache. I can see how performing the way you mentioned could make it easier if the flex spring washer wasn't broken.
I can't wait to make the car better with its next maintenance write up.
Referring back to you on the pin being pushed back, if I would have wedge out the plastic bushing, I might have unknowingly drop a piece of the metal washer in the turret. That would have been a headache. I can see how performing the way you mentioned could make it easier if the flex spring washer wasn't broken.
I can't wait to make the car better with its next maintenance write up.
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#11
#20
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
Just did the same thing on my CYM, and would you believe not only were pieces destroyed but the lower blue washer and spring washer weren't even there..... Never assume the previous owners did things the right way
#21
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Car I've been working on had NO slot bushing or bottom small cup bushing AT ALL. They were totally ground into dust. That is not too uncommon, BTW. With that much slop it's like each gear is a different zip code.
The small boot that bolts onto the trans (the one that bolts on with 3 10mm bolts) is STUPID expensive for what it is - like $45. Many Miata guys use the boot for the later Miata, part number R501-17-47Z. It's like $12. I see no reason why it wouldn't work perfectly on an FD.
Also, good idea to put talcum powder on the rubber parts of the boots, it keeps them from rubbing against themselves and wearing out faster.
Dale
The small boot that bolts onto the trans (the one that bolts on with 3 10mm bolts) is STUPID expensive for what it is - like $45. Many Miata guys use the boot for the later Miata, part number R501-17-47Z. It's like $12. I see no reason why it wouldn't work perfectly on an FD.
Also, good idea to put talcum powder on the rubber parts of the boots, it keeps them from rubbing against themselves and wearing out faster.
Dale
#22
Urban Combat Vet
iTrader: (16)
Thanks for going to the trouble. This thread will help a lot of guys out. I did it a couple years ago. Not sure about the transmission fluid in the shifter reservoir though unless you meant 75w-90 gear oil. And I also recommend greasing the ball and lower bushing per FSM.
Last edited by Sgtblue; 12-20-15 at 08:29 AM.
#23
Spanking Pcars
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The small boot that bolts onto the trans (the one that bolts on with 3 10mm bolts) is STUPID expensive for what it is - like $45. Many Miata guys use the boot for the later Miata, part number R501-17-47Z. It's like $12. I see no reason why it wouldn't work perfectly on an FD.
Dale
Dale
There is a slight difference in the shape base, but no modification is needed.
The FD boot base is round and the Miata one is round with a square area.
All 3 holes match perfectly.
In my shifter rebuild, I found one of the wave washers missing, now all is tight as a tiger.
Thanks Dale, you save me few dollars.
#24
cuz everyone's 99...
iTrader: (9)
soooo while installing my MS shifter (quite stupidly) I botched the job by dropping my broken stock wave washer in the shifter turret. It is invisible underneath all of the gear oil.
all I can think of now is MityVac out the oil, remove the top of the turret (4 bolts) and fish around?
Any other suggestions? feel so stupid!!
all I can think of now is MityVac out the oil, remove the top of the turret (4 bolts) and fish around?
Any other suggestions? feel so stupid!!