Noticed first that the shifter didn't seem to "spring" up to third as readily as usual. Then I noticed a lot of play in the shifter regardless of the gear its in.

Haven't taken the console out yet to get a look see.
But it happened all of a sudden, no hard shifting or banging around.

Anyone ran into this?

Thanks

 

I would disassemble your shifter. Chances are, it might be that the shifter pivot bushing is either worn or broken.

 

what shifter bushings would be appropriate to fix a wobbly shifter? rotary performance sells a set for 15 bucks, but does not specify if they are upper or lower bushings. i assume that you only need to replace one set to correct a wobbly shift ****?

 

It fits in the end of the shifter ball!

 

There are also wave springs in the stock shifter. Those probably broke.

 

Took it apart -- the wave spring or spring washer on the bottom is indeed broken. The plastic bushing looks ok.

Dealer only has the top wave spring, the one that actually hooks with 3 tabs to the top plastic bushing. His inventory has the top wave as the same number as the bottom -- but the bottom one is "larger". I showed them the broken one but they say they'll have to ask Mazda.

Autoparts stores nor Ace Hardware carry the wave spring.

Checking with Ray for a replacement.

The "spring" feeling you get going from say 2nd to third, where the shifter just pops to the right or neutral area on its own -- is that a function of the transmission? Doesn't seem like the bushings and wave spring on the shifter would do anything.

The reason I ask is I noticed a loss of that springy action, wondering now if its transmission related?

Thanks

 

The feel of a shifter comes from several places. The position sensor is spring loaded and pushes in when you're in 1 or 2. There is a select spindle that pushes against the 5 and R position (this is the one that was updated to help avoid missing 3rd and breaking 5th). The pop you feel going into each gear comes from springs and check ***** that engage a groove in the shift rods.

When the shifter wave springs break less of this gets fed back to your hand. When you get the new wave springs installed it should feel normal again.

Dave

 

Check the Mazdatrix site, they carry stock parts that are hard to find

 

The stock parts catalogs do not illustrate the wave washers and stuff correctly. You'll need to talk with someone who KNOWS. Mazdatrix or Ray at Malloy.

Dave

 

I missed totally that my bottom plastic (goes on the shifter ball) wasn't even there! Went back in and found it in the resovoir.



Also to replace the top spring washer and plastic bushing, do you have to take the shifter apart in some way? Can't see how those pieces made it up onto the shifter where they are.


Then I still have the problem of the lower spring washer, it's broken and the local dealer swears it is the same as the top one. When I line them up the bottom is a larger diameter and does not have the tabs.

 

To change the upper bushing and washer, you need to remove the small rubber boot. In theory you can pull it off over the big section of the shifter, but in practice I found it was easier to cut it off and replace it.

I went back thru my receipts and found the p/n's that I bought to replace my bushings/washers.
(2) R503-17-481 Bush, Change
(1) M505-17-482 Washer, Wave

Unfortunately I don't recall why there was only 1 wave washer, but anyway it does imply the bushings are the same.

Dave

 

this is from geesamans older thread. just dont get why theres only half a washer showing in the red section and where that other lone spacer goes in the blue area...

 

Yes, that picture shows the pieces I need. Still not sure as to how to get the pieces to the top of the ball. I'll have to look at it again, didn't think the boot or the bushing would fit over. Plus, I'm still confused about the different size spring washers for the top and bottom. From my pix, you can see the broken spring washer (bottom), it is definitely bigger than the one for the top even though the dealer says they are the same.

Thanks!

 

The half-washer is broken.

Dave

 

Make it easy on yourself and use geesamans part numbers cant go wrong. and when it comes u can slap them in the face with each one and ask him if it feels the same.

 

Not sure if this would be of any use to you...

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2752/11809742wi7.jpg

 

Don't rely on me - call Ray.

Dave

 

Referring to the attached Mazda Motorsports parts fiche, can you please confirm that the required parts are:
17-152
17-474
17-482
17-481A

I don't see why you would need two of the "R503-17-481 Bush Change" as you mentioned.

Thanks in advance.

 

You can also order an aluminum bushing for the bottom from mazdatrix. Won't fail like the nylon ones.

 

The aluminum bushing offers a slightly tighter feel, but transmits more vibration. Some people may be ok with it, others may not. I have broken and aluminum one before.

 

^what he said.

 

I'm having this exact same problem. I believe the lower bushing and wave spring (the one the Mazda dealers can't find) can be found in the following article from Mazdatrix on the 2nd step of this "How-To":

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

 

Or it can easily be sourced from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda.

 

Thanks this thread is actually really helpful. I replaced the shifter bushing you see him fishing out of the hole today. I didn't realize that there was supposed to be two other bushings and wave springs. The upper one was there, spring broken. The lower one was just completely gone along with the spring. I have no idea where it went.

I was thinking that all my problems with shifting were just because I'm an idiot and can't shift left handed. But after I took this shifter apart I realized it's a miracle I was able to even drive this car at all.

But now I have another problem. There is no fifth gear anymore. All the gears work fine except fifth. It was working before and I never had any grinding. I did have a few rough shifts and missed shifts because of the bushing problem. Is it possible I bent a shift fork or something? I normally go pretty easy on shifting but I got a little excited and frustrated on the back straight of Tsukuba when it wouldn't go into third. It accidentally shifted into 1st instead and locked the rear wheels momentarily before I put the clutch back in and pooped my pants. I thought for sure I broke something, but it kept on going fine after that. When I try to shift it feels like there is something blocking the shifter from moving into that position. I can't feel a grove or anything.

Sorry if my description sucks.

 

Maybe you broke a transmission mount and the shifter cannot move to 5th gears new location.