Fixing sloppy shifter

[Steely_Neil]

Hi all,

I am the proud owner of a new-to-me 2005 Baja with a 5-speed manual transmission and turbocharged engine. It’s a super clean car (truck?), and it’s been great so far, but the shifter wiggles about 2 inches right-left when it’s in gear if you push it around, and I’m hoping to tighten that up to make shifts smoother and possibly install a short shifter to do that even more so. I already read the write up here (viewtopic.php?t=453), but I’m still not sure what parts I should buy to tighten the shifter, like if I should buy a whole new shifter (part number C1010FA001) or just new bushings. I’m pretty sure I could do the swap out myself but I don’t have jack stands so I’d be on my back under the car.

All things considered, the Baja has been great so far and I’m lucky I found one of these. I’ll probably be frequenting this forum in the future for general scoobytruck discussion, and I’m happy to be part of the club.

Thanks y’all,

-Neil

Photo of the Baja here: https://i.imgur.com/bVgNnWF.jpg

[kamesama980]

Do you have the little spring that pulls the linkage sideways? Both my bajas are missing it and have sloppy shifters even though they're aftermarket and are otherwise tight. There's natural play in the linkage without the spring and no amount of bushings will help.

[Steely_Neil]

I don’t think I have the spring, from looking under the car I don’t see it there. Might be out of luck - oh well, I’ll get a new shift knob anyways, the stock one is in really rough shape. Just gonna be careful with my shifts.

[mike-tracy]

Steely_Neil:
Check out this parts list for your car:
https://parts.rentonsubaru.com/a/Subaru ... 50-01.html

Every time I get a new-to-me subaru, I replace the "Joint Complete Gearshift" ("35046" which is top left on the diagram, part number 35047AC030). That takes a tremendous amount of slop from the shifting.

I also typically swap to kartboy shift bushings: https://www.kartboy.com/collections/200 ... -bushcombo

While you're spending money, one of these solid rubber transmission mount bushings would make a ton of difference in keeping the transmission from rocking when you shift. https://www.amazon.com/SUBARU-D1010FE02 ... B00I7967OO


Honestly, the shifter itself is dampened with rubber, and unless that rubber is torn, I don't think you'll reduce much if any slop by changing that out for a solid piece. I prefer the dampening, but some people want to feel everything.

[kensei]

Steely_Neil:

While you're spending money, one of these solid rubber transmission mount bushings would make a ton of difference in keeping the transmission from rocking when you shift. https://www.amazon.com/SUBARU-D1010FE02 ... B00I7967OO

+1 on this. While I agree with Mike that it won't do much about the sloppy shifter, it will do wonders about how much the engine move around, especially at low revs. When I first got my Baja, I was surprised about how much engine tranny shudder there was below 2000 RPM. I replaced the trans mount with the factory one, assuming that it was bad. The new OEM one didn't make a dent. The one listed above is the Subaru "Group N" mount; I was initially hesitant that it would really increase vibration in the cab, as some had in other cars that I had tried, but I have to say that I can't even notice any difference. Of course, my 192K mile '05 may not be the quietest to begin with, but drivetrain smoothness, especially at lower RPM is greatly enhanced. Definitely helped with shift engagement and a reduction in lash.