Falling Shifter Help

[Jarronw97]

Hello everyone, not exactly sure how forums work, I’ve perused them a couple times but definitely never signed up for one, nor posted on one. But I’m new to the festy world, and I took my car to discount tire to get a patch, and when I went to pick it up, my shifter had fallen through the floor (like I assume a lot of you have dealt with,) and they said that it’s not their fault so they won’t fix it. Well I saw the old post where the guy told how to fix it with the bolt, but I was wondering if someone could explain it further for me, like as to why the nuts need to be loose, why does it need play in it? I’m more curious than anything else, and I don’t know if I’m posting this in the right place, or anything else to be honest so if I’m doing this forum thing wrong please let me know! But maybe a bit more in depth on the shifter fix would be awesome because I was kind of lost reading this thread and it’s closed so I can’t just reply to it. Thanks guys, I’ll be trying to do it today, regardless of replies. Original thread I was trying to follow: https://fordfestiva.com/forums/forum...alling-shifter

[Jarronw97]

Also I don’t know if I need to make a new thread or if I can just ask here, but my automatic seatbelts go forward, but not backwards on the drivers side, and I tried using the search function but it’s basically just people saying rip them out and I don’t want to rip them out, I like them a lot actually lol, but I don’t get why it wouldn’t go back

[1990new]

Welcome to the forum... This forum has been going for many years and you will find that questions like yours have been answered many time by many different people with varying degrees of knowledge about Festivas. Some people are experts in one area or another (like medical specialist) but most are more like general practitioners. We also don't jump on new people because they may have not read and followed the forum rules to the letter. A gentle remember may be offered occasionally. since the forum has been going so long and has such a large storehouse of information, it can be difficult to find things for new people... but don't give up. With a little patience, you will eventually find the answer to just about everything you ever wanted to know about your Festiva.

I will try to answer you questions here and post some pictures to help you out too:

The shifter assembly is made up of the gear shift housing (inner and outer cylinders), the shift stick, a lower nylon bushing under the shift pivot ball, an upper nylon bushing on top of the shift pivot ball, a spring that fits on top of the upper nylon bushing. The top part of that spring fits in a grove at the top of the shift inner housing to hold the shift stick in place within the inner housing. There is also a dust boot that fits over the bottom of the shift stick. that boot must be put on the shift stick while it is out of the inner housing so the top lip of the boot will be held inside of the inner housing at the bottom.
The inner gear shift housing has a flat area that has a long rod (stabilizer bar) attached to which goes toward the front of the car and is attached to a bolt that stick out on the side of the transmission.
The inner housing cylinder is attached to the outer housing cylinder on rubber ears (the outer housing part has the 4 bolts that go through the floor with nuts on top inside the car). The purpose for this support arrangement to to prevent vibrations from the engine/transmission from shaking your gear shift in the car when the engine is running. Your shift stick with inner housing fell through the floor because these rubber ears come apart due to wear and tear.
The bolt you add is to hold the stabilizer bar assembly with inner shifter housing up and attached to the floor of the car instead of with the rubber ears. There should be some play in this bolt to lessen the vibrations and also to prevent it from possibly change gears when you hit pot holes.

Normally before those ears come apart, you will wear out a few sets of those green bushings you see and also the rubber bushing with the steel sleeve in it that attaches the stabilizer bar to the transmission. Instead of those green nylon bushings some people have made bronze bushing that last a lot longer. The white nylon bushings that surround the shift pivot ball are now impossible to find. I had several sets of those for a while but have sold all of them. I also had many sets of those green nylon bushing but only have a couple left and I am saving those for myself.

However I would be willing to let this entire rebuilt assembly (with good ears) go for $75 plus shipping.
Festiva Shifter Assembly (2).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (1).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (3).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (4).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (5).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (6).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (7).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (8).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (9).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (10).JPG Festiva Shifter Assembly (2).JPG

[1990new]

Also I don’t know if I need to make a new thread or if I can just ask here, but my automatic seatbelts go forward, but not backwards on the drivers side, and I tried using the search function but it’s basically just people saying rip them out and I don’t want to rip them out, I like them a lot actually lol, but I don’t get why it wouldn’t go back

Your seat belt question:
The automatic seat belt controller is in a metal box attached to the floor under the drivers seat. Unless this control unit has gotten water in it and shorted out, it is probably not your problem.
The problem is usually in the switch that is part of your door latch assembly. When grit and grim build up in those latch switches, it causes the seat belts to act crazy. The interior light plunger switches on the door frame have nothing to do with the seat belts. Sometimes just soaking the latches good with PB Blaster or WD40 and then using compressed air to blow them dry will fix the problem... but if this doesn't fix it you may have to take your door panel off to get at the switch and see if there is a problem with the wire or the switch (which is really part of the door latch) itself.
Replacing the auto seat belt with manual ones is not the easiest thing in the world to do and it is not easy to get the interior to look right after you do either.

[Jarronw97]

Thank you very much for your replies, they were very informative! I may take you up on that shift assembly, for now I have the bolt in there because I needed to be able to get to work. If that’s a rebuilt shift assembly will it still shift sloppy? Mine has a little play while in gear, which isn’t a huge problem for me, but if that assembly would fix that I might buy that from you next week when I get paid. Do you happen to have a blinker combo switch? My relay still works but the pin that holds the blinker in place broke so I have it wedged with a paper towel right now and can’t seem to find a replacement anywhere. Thanks - J

[Jarronw97]

I did notice by having the bolt in there instead of a new assembly, it is a little louder, but it had been loud since I bought it

[1990new]

Thank you very much for your replies, they were very informative! I may take you up on that shift assembly, for now I have the bolt in there because I needed to be able to get to work. If that’s a rebuilt shift assembly will it still shift sloppy? Mine has a little play while in gear, which isn’t a huge problem for me, but if that assembly would fix that I might buy that from you next week when I get paid. Do you happen to have a blinker combo switch? My relay still works but the pin that holds the blinker in place broke so I have it wedged with a paper towel right now and can’t seem to find a replacement anywhere. Thanks - J

Happy that I could help... With that rebuilt shift assembly, it will feel like shifting a brand new Festiva. Only thing is.. those rubber ears are in good shape now but it is 30 years old so I can't guarantee how long they will hold out. If they do fail your best option is to find the post that show how to fill that space with liquid rubber and let it harden. You could also do that with the one you have now and just get some new bushings. I have several of the new rubber bushings that go where the arm attaches to the transmission (festiva store has those for $5 each) and the festiva store also has the green bushings (you need four of them) for $1.50 each. I'm sure the nylon bushing that surround the pivot ball are worn but that wear does not contribute as much to the sloppiness. I also have some new dust cups (at $2.00 each) if you want to take the shift lever out and clean it up and replace the grease (its easy to do). You could save a lot by doing all this yourself instead of buying my rebuilt assembly. I don't think shipping from the Festiva store is too expensive. I've met the guy who runs thefestivastore at festivamadness a few times and he is really an honest top notch guy.
I do have a good combo switch but I'm pretty sure I also have a good nylon ring which two good pins on it. The good combo switch is $40 shipped. I if you decide that you still want the shift assembly I will include the good ring, a dust boot and a stabilizer bushing for free so you can rebuild your current shift assembly.
You will still need to order the green bushings from thefestivastore (or find the guy who makes the bronze bushings). I can send you the good combo switch ring (Make sure the other nylon rocker piece is not broken) a new stabilizer bushing and a dust cap for $15 including shipping.
Think it over and decide what is best for you. In the meantime you have your shifer working even though it is noisy and sloppy.

[drddan]

Hi Jess! Great write up! The best pics I have seen all day!
How have you been?

[1990new]

Hi Jess! Great write up! The best pics I have seen all day!
How have you been?

Thanks Dan... Just trying to help these new Festiva folks out.
Doing good for an old man... how about you.