ACK! Shifter dropped thru the floor

[Spuds]

The 5 speed shifter handle on my 93 Festy dropped thru the floor. It's dragging on the ground! Can this be fixed, or do I have to scrounge up another shifter.

[Guest]

search search search.. It's a common Festiva problem that can be fixed a few different ways..

[WmWatt]

I had it happen on a car after a transission shop didn't reconnect the linkages properly. Check the linkages when you fix the problem as it might be the cause.

[Gforcefd]

it is actually dragging on the ground? Usually the exhaust pipe blocks it from dropping all the way. If everything is still connected to it, just pull it up till it pops back intot he rubber mount that holds it in place. And try not to push down when you shift :-)

[Spuds]

The exhaust isn't stock so that may be why. I've tried searching but I come up with 50 pages of stuff that doesn't have anything to do with shifting.

[packrat427]

Try these , I searched shifter ..

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10812&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=shifter

[Hodag'stiva]

I actually ended up using the car's jack to "pop" it back into place after some ham handed tire jockey pushed mine out of place. Since then, I've put on 3K miles without any problems from the linkages.

Weird design flaw.

B

[Spuds]

I took it apart today, the rubber donut thing is really trashed. I shoved some cut up radiator hose in there and rigged it up with a coat hanger for now. I'll have to come up with something better but for now it works.

[floydiancomplex]

I had this problem while installing a shift knob. Pushed too hard and plop through the floor.
I just went to the JY and bought another shifter assembly about 30 bucks, but as a cheap
fix you could fill the "rubber donut" (i don't know what to call it either) with windshield
adhesive. This would have the added benefit of stiffening the mount. Just a thought.

[Spuds]

I did end up getting a used shifter assembly at a junkyard last week, all is well now.