Shift Linkages

[Prafeston]

I took the car to the shop today and they had it up on the lift and showed me there was some strangeness with the shifter. I'm not sure what this piece if metal was supposed to be for, I can't really see its purpose. Any ideas what is going on? My shifter doors rattle pretty bad but I just figured it was the bushings needing replaced.





Here is the linkage farther down by the transmission.

[RhodeStiva]

it was probably holding the link from falling through the floor. just a guess. seeing how it is bolted to metal and covers the rubber part.

[drddan]

That metal strap looks to be holding the shifter up in place.
The shifter originally is held in place with some rubber "tabs" built into the shifter, and they catch on a couple nylon tabs in the cutout for the shifter. The rubber falls apart with age.
...and you need a bushing on the other end, by the tranny.

Time for a JY run....

There is a fix for the shifter posted here somewhere.

[TheresGabe]

he he... I'm with them. Shift fell through, and this was someones quick fix. I remember when my aspire fell through, the rubber thing wasn't very much to fix it.

[Prafeston]

Does anyone have part numbers for the things needing replaced here...or the proper name?

I already picked up some shifter bushings from eBay. They are for an Escort I believe, but I think they are the same part numbers. #E7GZ-7A133-A

[WmWatt]

What they wrote. There've been quite a few photos on here over the years of jury rigs people have come up with to support the shift lever. To see some do a search. How long have you had the car? That strap looks brand shiny new. Not even any dirt on it.

[Prafeston]

I've owned the car for like a month. I'm still learning/fixing it's quirks!

[Bert]

Shifter drops through the floor unless it's supported. The plastic tabs that temporarily do this until the 4 bolts and shift plate are connected, inside the car and under the shift boot, are often broken and someone got desperate enough to come up with your version of a 'holder'. Search feature ought to find the much neater quick fix version that someone posted on this site about a year ago.

The other thing you need are shifter linkage bushings and likely a new through bolt and nut. I used to go to a Mazda dealer to get these but lately have been scavenging good ones from dead Mazda cars at U-pull facilities . Many early 90s Mazda (ie Protege and MX3) use the identical parts. Make sure you have your old bolt with you to compare. I was paying Mazda about $15 for the bolt and 2 bushings in Canada. Chances are you can find them for much less.

[Prafeston]

I've already purchased a Civic Short Shifter to install and as mentioned I bought linkage bushings on eBay part #E7GZ-7A133-A

I'll have to find the fix here on the forum for the plate.

[Prafeston]

I've found these useful links, but so far nothing that has to do with the plate.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39051&highlight=Shift+linkage

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35080&highlight=Shift+linkage

AH HA, found it!

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26920&highlight=Shift+linkage

[Bert]

There are 4 plastic tabs along the edge of the plate which is under the shift boot. They only serve to hold the shift linkage underneath up against the floor while you start some nuts on to the bolts that ultimately hold the whole works together. Without the plastic tabs you need a second person under the car to hold the linkage up against the floor until you get a nut or two started.

Pictured are what you need. These are for 93 Protege since the parts counter folks always want to know make and model and they don't recognize Ford Festiva.

[bravekozak]

Alternatively, you can buy a set of Bronzoil bushings from Corksport. Be sure to read the review. Bye bye plastic.

[Prafeston]

Bert, yeah I already got those bushings and I believe with the Civic Short Shifter I need a longer bolt anyway.

[BigElCat]

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41798&highlight=festivic

The stationary arm that goes to the bellhousing is called a shifter support arm. I made custom bushing for it. I don't think you can find replacement rubber ones. I'd be glad to set you up with the custom ones ($5 includes shipping). My custom ones are rigid, and they may have a bad effect on the stock shifter housing. I'll scan the FSM (factory service manual) regarding the shifter, and load the page on this thread.

[Prafeston]

Maybe next time I'm in Olathe we can just have a shop day and you can help me install my Civic Shift as it seems you have some experience in that area as well.