Manual transmission shifter sticky
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Manual transmission shifter sticky
I just bought a used 2003 Spyder GTS with about 62k miles from the original owner. Everything in excellent condition, runs great. During the test drive I noticed that the shifter was a little stiff and would not always return to center (between 3rd & 4th) when in neutral. Seemed minor so I bought the car.
I took apart, cleaned & lubed the shifter linkage all the way to the transmission and changed the gear oil. Everything seemed very free when I got done. Took it out for a test drive and shifted fine. However, as it gets hot, the problem comes back. When it cools off the shifter gets free again. The transmission seems to shift fine, no grinding or difficulty getting it into gear, but since it does not always center itself. Going from 2nd to 3rd can be a problem.
Any ideas?
I took apart, cleaned & lubed the shifter linkage all the way to the transmission and changed the gear oil. Everything seemed very free when I got done. Took it out for a test drive and shifted fine. However, as it gets hot, the problem comes back. When it cools off the shifter gets free again. The transmission seems to shift fine, no grinding or difficulty getting it into gear, but since it does not always center itself. Going from 2nd to 3rd can be a problem.
Any ideas?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
RE: Manual transmission shifter sticky
The weird thing is that it only seems to bind up as it gets hot, just the side to side motion. Sitting in the garage, cold right now everything is free. But if I drive it for about 10-15 minutes the problem comes back. I'm worried that transmission may have a problem. The trans. oil was clean when I changed it (Valvoline) and there was only a little fuzz on the magnet. Is there a super slippery high-end lube that I could try?
The transmission input shafts had a little corrosion but nothing major. I just smeared some bearing grease on them.
I appreciate the ideas.
The transmission input shafts had a little corrosion but nothing major. I just smeared some bearing grease on them.
I appreciate the ideas.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4
RE: Manual transmission shifter sticky
Found it & fixed it. Not a big deal to fix if you are mechanically inclined. I decided to take another look at the transmission linkage. The problem turned out to be caused by binding at the pivot points between some plastic parts & rusty pivot pins. I hate to say this, but I can't remember exactly where the binding was but it was definitely not the shifter cable or the transmission.
To get at it you have to remove the battery and the battery mounting bracket. Kind of a pain but you can then see the transmission linkage. Check all the pivot points. Take them apart, remove the rust and lube them up.
Apparently, in my case, when the transmission warmed up, the linkage arm would get hot and a rusty steel pivot pin would expand and bind up in a plastic washer/spacer. Once I cleaned up the parts - problem gone. Shifter is very free all the time.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.
To get at it you have to remove the battery and the battery mounting bracket. Kind of a pain but you can then see the transmission linkage. Check all the pivot points. Take them apart, remove the rust and lube them up.
Apparently, in my case, when the transmission warmed up, the linkage arm would get hot and a rusty steel pivot pin would expand and bind up in a plastic washer/spacer. Once I cleaned up the parts - problem gone. Shifter is very free all the time.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,430
From: Colorado Springs, CO.
RE: Manual transmission shifter sticky
ORIGINAL: mcalpine
Found it & fixed it. Not a big deal to fix if you are mechanically inclined. I decided to take another look at the transmission linkage. The problem turned out to be caused by binding at the pivot points between some plastic parts & rusty pivot pins. I hate to say this, but I can't remember exactly where the binding was but it was definitely not the shifter cable or the transmission.
To get at it you have to remove the battery and the battery mounting bracket. Kind of a pain but you can then see the transmission linkage. Check all the pivot points. Take them apart, remove the rust and lube them up.
Apparently, in my case, when the transmission warmed up, the linkage arm would get hot and a rusty steel pivot pin would expand and bind up in a plastic washer/spacer. Once I cleaned up the parts - problem gone. Shifter is very free all the time.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.
Found it & fixed it. Not a big deal to fix if you are mechanically inclined. I decided to take another look at the transmission linkage. The problem turned out to be caused by binding at the pivot points between some plastic parts & rusty pivot pins. I hate to say this, but I can't remember exactly where the binding was but it was definitely not the shifter cable or the transmission.
To get at it you have to remove the battery and the battery mounting bracket. Kind of a pain but you can then see the transmission linkage. Check all the pivot points. Take them apart, remove the rust and lube them up.
Apparently, in my case, when the transmission warmed up, the linkage arm would get hot and a rusty steel pivot pin would expand and bind up in a plastic washer/spacer. Once I cleaned up the parts - problem gone. Shifter is very free all the time.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck.
