Notchy shifting

[CharlieZ]

Over the past year, shifting my 5 speed 90 Festiva has become increasingly cranky. It does shift but moving the stick thru the gears isn't smooth. I'll call it notchy, a term I recall writers used to describe less than smooth shifting manual trannys. It doesn't pop out of gear. That is, otherwise it operates normally. The shift lever doesn't move up and down.

I'm wondering what the symptoms are for a worn shift mechanism. And can it be serviced or repaired from the top or do I need to get under the car. (Ouch! Getting too old for that) Thanks in advance

Charlie Z
Semper Fi'steva

[ryanprins13]

Hmm, one thing to check underneath is a bushing. There is the shift rod but there is a second rod that connects the shift area to the transmission to keep the trans the right distance away from the shifter. The bushing on that rod on the transmission end tends to get covered in oil and disintigrate. When it does that it can allow too much movement.
Mine fell out once because the bolt came loose and shifting was difficult and i couldnt downshift at all when braking.
Another thing to check would be your transmission fluid level if you havent in a while. The driveshaft seals leak when they get old and let the fluid drain out. Lack of fluid causes a different shifter feel.
When your car in in gear driving how much can you wiggle the shifter back and forth?

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[CharlieZ]

Hmm, one thing to check underneath is a bushing. There is the shift rod but there is a second rod that connects the shift area to the transmission to keep the trans the right distance away from the shifter. The bushing on that rod on the transmission end tends to get covered in oil and disintigrate. When it does that it can allow too much movement.
Mine fell out once because the bolt came loose and shifting was difficult and i couldnt downshift at all when braking.
Another thing to check would be your transmission fluid level if you havent in a while. The driveshaft seals leak when they get old and let the fluid drain out. Lack of fluid causes a different shifter feel.
When your car in in gear driving how much can you wiggle the shifter back and forth?

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

Side to side roughly measured at the shift knob, about 3.5 to 4 inches. Fore and aft about 3/4 to 1 inch.

[ricko1966]

I haven't had the pleasure of having to rebuild any festy shift linkage yet,but past expieriences have taught me that valve guides make great bushings, they are silicone bronze, several O.D.s several I.D.s cut em to length and ream them if necassary.

[ryanprins13]

Side to side roughly measured at the shift knob, about 3.5 to 4 inches. Fore and aft about 3/4 to 1 inch.

3-4inches side to side when in gear??? Thats insane. There is a writeup for a fix for that here. Might take me a bit to find though.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[ryanprins13]

Here.

https://fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39051

Also see post #28 in the above thread, not just the first post.
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[CharlieZ]

ryanprins13 - Thanks for the link. I read the whole thing through. I think it answers my questions and solves the problem. I'm going find someone to do it. :-)
Consider this thread closed until further notice.
Thanks everyone.
Charlie Z

[sc72]

CharlieZ how the heck are ya, stop back in more ofter.

[Eaglefreek]

I've had worn bushings in the past and it just felt sloppy with worn bushings. A couple weeks ago my transmission starting feeling "notchy" with no increase in slop. I just haven't had the time to investigate.

[bravekozak]

I installed some Corksport bronzoil bushings in mine, for nice crisp shifts.

[WmWatt]

The shift linkage is just a "T" inside a "U" with a bolt through. Jack up car. Remove the nut, slide the bolt out, swap the bushings, slide the bolt back in, tighten nut.

[firebush357]

I installed some Corksport bronzoil bushings in mine, for nice crisp shifts.

I know there is a part number for these somewhere but I can't remember which thread... Do you have a part number or which car they are made for? I had 1 pair a buddy gave me that he had left over from his Ford Probe but I need more.

EDIT: After a quick Google Search I found these, does that look correct?

[william]

Charlie if you can get the bushings I'll come swap them in for you. I'm free most weekends, and you not far from me.

[w4rkry]

I know there is a part number for these somewhere but I can't remember which thread... Do you have a part number or which car they are made for? I had 1 pair a buddy gave me that he had left over from his Ford Probe but I need more.

EDIT: After a quick Google Search I found these, does that look correct?

Yea, those look like the right ones.

[ricko1966]

Machine shops usually have a bucket full of old ones you can have a couple for free Last time I bought new ones they cost me 2.00 a piece just trying to save crafty people some money.. They also work great fpr fixing egged out alternator pivots.