Firm shifter

Lownslowlsc

Lownslowlsc

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It's annoying. I really gotta put in some strength when selecting which gear I want it in. It's been like this since I bought it. I've seen some random g2 m8 vid's that make me think it's a somewhat common/normal problem.

I'm no ussy but come on.. The other 2 car's I'm used to driving go through them like butta.

Anyone have pic's/diagram's of how the shifter cable is ran? Where it can bind ect?
 
After I had my trans rebuilt/replaced I had the same issue... but my issue worked itself out on its own. But these shifters are cable operated correct? Possibly a bad cable? I have saved cables before by squirting some wd40/pb blaster/etc and got lots of life out of different types of cables.

Something to think about or try
 
iv never shifted mine manually, i got good tune shifts perfect under wot and partial throttle.although jon's cable frayed and had to be replaced
 
I had the same problem with my gen 1. I removed the center console and it turned out I had so much gunk built up around the teeth for the selector. I cleaned then lubed everything she shifted like new.

Maybe just give it a look before u start tracing cables ?
 
Stangman said:
After I had my trans rebuilt/replaced I had the same issue... but my issue worked itself out on its own. But these shifters are cable operated correct? Possibly a bad cable? I have saved cables before by squirting some wd40/pb blaster/etc and got lots of life out of different types of cables.

Something to think about or try
Click to expand...

I'll have to try that, thank you.

the1andonlygr81 said:
iv never shifted mine manually, i got good tune shifts perfect under wot and partial throttle.although jon's cable frayed and had to be replaced
Click to expand...

I meant the actual floor shifter itself, it's tough to move through p r n d ect..

joeynat said:
I had the same problem with my gen 1. I removed the center console and it turned out I had so much gunk built up around the teeth for the selector. I cleaned then lubed everything she shifted like new.

Maybe just give it a look before u start tracing cables ?
Click to expand...

I went through there when I did the blend door 4 years ago. I didn't see anything out of the norm so all I did was put a little lube on the shifter rail (?).
 
you a coffee or soda drinker?
my aunt is a big coffee drinker and the center console area of her gen 2 is full of coffee goo. cleaning it out helped.
 
chris2523 said:
you a coffee or soda drinker?
my aunt is a big coffee drinker and the center console area of her gen 2 is full of coffee goo. cleaning it out helped.
Click to expand...

Maybe the previous owner. From what I remember it wasn't that bad when I took out the center console.

I dont drink coffee in my car if I can help it.
 
sbcaprice305 said:
So should I be looking for the cable with a jacket over it? Then just squirt some lube in? If it's visible from below I'll give that some juice as well.
Click to expand...

Yeah, usually covered in black plastic jacket. If u can detach it from the shifter, spray into it and hold it up, so it runs down the inside of the cable. Might have gotten some moisture in the cable making it difficult
 
So is this the "tube" I need to spray into?

shifter001.gif



Should I use:

Wd-40

Or I have some Walmart brand(SuperTech) "lubricant" as it say's..I think it's similiar to wd-40.

I have white lithium grease but I doubt it would do much as it doesn't "flow".
 
Probably the one... never seen it but that looks like a candidate. Just hose it in there and try to work the cable til it frees up... might have to reattach the shifter to move it though. You'll need to pull some out of it to spray in it anyway. I try to use the straw and kinda light spray the wd to where its almost dripping out, and let it drip down the cable, if you can.
 
if you need a cable i gotcha covered. with the window bracket/track thing
by the way i am fo sho going up to the parts car tomorrow. i will pm you when i get back.

ps use the wd style penetrating oil to free it up and then the lithium to keep it smooth. and if i were you i would pull the cable loose from the trans so you can work it back and fourth
 
I tried lubing my shifter cable but it didn't work.

The rubber coating was worn off the cable underneath, water got in, and it rusted.

I'd take a good look at that first before getting the tools out.:)
 
Stangman said:
Probably the one... never seen it but that looks like a candidate. Just hose it in there and try to work the cable til it frees up... might have to reattach the shifter to move it though. You'll need to pull some out of it to spray in it anyway. I try to use the straw and kinda light spray the wd to where its almost dripping out, and let it drip down the cable, if you can.
Click to expand...

Gotcha, thank's.

zmt325 said:
if you need a cable i gotcha covered. with the window bracket/track thing
by the way i am fo sho going up to the parts car tomorrow. i will pm you when i get back.


ps use the wd style penetrating oil to free it up and then the lithium to keep it smooth. and if i were you i would pull the cable loose from the trans so you can work it back and fourth
Click to expand...

Awesome.

Good Idea.

billcu said:
I tried lubing my shifter cable but it didn't work.

The rubber coating was worn off the cable underneath, water got in, and it rusted.

I'd take a good look at that first before getting the tools out.:)
Click to expand...

Noted, thank's Bill.
 
Well I cleaned out what little debris that was in and around the shifter. Also lubed up area's of said cable that were accessible. Improvement, but i'm still unsure if the firness is normal. Inspected the underside and no crack's were seen.

Somebody look at the f'n video. :) I need more than 1 opinion.
 
My phone won't load the video but I can say my Gen 2 moves like butter super easy much easier than my Gen 1
 
Check the shifter linkage on the outside of the transmission case underneath the car. Check that out and make sure it wasn't compromised for some reason. FWIW, my gear shifter is about as tight as in the video you posted. I would rather have it tight than loose. It's not a slap shifter. :D And now you get an idea of how tough it was for me to run a 13.59 manually shifting my car! lol
 
i didnt see anything to indicate anything other than normal and i went out to mine just to manually do it and its not stiff nor like "butta" sorry to see your still having issues. maybe its the actual swivel the cable rides on at the tranny or where its attatched on the inside
 
Mine is a little easier going down into the gears and equal going up back to park vs. the vid. Knowing that others have a similiar firmness makes me feel a little more comfortable.

I found a clip last night of what I think "butta" is @ 4:43.....I'm jealous, but unless I can get a cable for next to nothing it's staying the way it is.

1998 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC Start Up & Rev With Exhaust View - 103K - YouTube
 
KStromberg said:
Check the shifter linkage on the outside of the transmission case underneath the car. Check that out and make sure it wasn't compromised for some reason. FWIW, my gear shifter is about as tight as in the video you posted. I would rather have it tight than loose. It's not a slap shifter. :D And now you get an idea of how tough it was for me to run a 13.59 manually shifting my car! lol
Click to expand...

slowmkviii said:
Got to watch the video and yes mine is smoother than that.
Click to expand...

the1andonlygr81 said:
i didnt see anything to indicate anything other than normal and i went out to mine just to manually do it and its not stiff nor like "butta" sorry to see your still having issues. maybe its the actual swivel the cable rides on at the tranny or where its attatched on the inside
Click to expand...

Thank's guy, I appreciate it.

KS, the linkage look's fine. I'm going to get under there again this weekend to see if anything is lubable(?). But from what i've done this far it has improved. Seem's to get a little looser eveyday.
 
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