Aluminum shifter base bushings and brass shifter cable bushings Install
 

I recently installed the speedsource metal shifter bushings with the intention of writing a DIY afterward. There are little bits that got left out of the pics due to the fact that I forgot about the camera at various points and had very messy hands near the end. So here it goes.


Start by removing these two screws from the armrest console and pulling the console up and over the emergency brake.

http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0269.JPG

Then remove the two screws and unplug the harness. Remove the shifter knob too.

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Remove the ash tray (I hope you don't smoke) and remove the screw underneath it.

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On the drivers side there is a screw type panel latch(whatever) that you take off by unscrewing the middle before pulling it free.

http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0272.JPG

The first panel on the passenger side just pops off.

On the passenger and drivers side underneath the first kick panels are these push in type panel latches. You push in the middle to take them out. When you get them out push the pin out the other way so it is protruding from the top. Push it back in and push the middle level with the top and it will lock. pretty nifty.

http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0273.JPG

Once you remove all this you can take the front of the console area out too. Underneath are the four screws holding the shifter base to the car and circled in green the cotter pin to the shifter cable that's in the way of the northwest bolt.

http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0274.JPG

And here is a closeup of the cotter pin on the shifter cable, for the n00bs

http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0275.JPG

because of the cap on the end of these metal shafts(whatever) you have to push them out through the bottom.

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I used a flat head screwdriver to push one side of the rubber bushing out first. Remove all four.

http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0277.JPG

This is the first time I lose track of the camera during the install.

The shifter bushings have ridges on one side. The ridge faces up underneath the shifter and fits right into the shfiter base. It faces down on the top of the shifter and fits right into the shifter base. After making sure they were all lined up properly and tightening them down I reconnected the shifter cable and it looked like this.

http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0278.JPG


You have to take the air tube from the stock airbox to the manifold off to gain access to the shifter connections. I don't have a stock airbox, and the tube was in the way regardless, so I don't really know if you have to take out the airbox or not, but I don't think so.

And here is the second time. I didn't expect it to go quite as smoothly as it did. I took off the old cotter pins, pulled the top cable off and then got the bigger bottom one off. The rubber bushing came out with just a little bit of force. The other one, on the other hand, took a pair of vise grips and plyers to get off. It wasn't difficult with those tools though.


http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0279.JPG

The E-clip goes on the topside of both shifter cables

http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0280.JPG

And because of how messy the anti seize compound I slathered all over the place I didn't get very many pics of the underhoods steps, but it's very simple. I put antiseize all around the new bushing, I pressed it into the pin hole, and I used the supplied sandpaper to clean the shifter cable ends. Some people have been having issues with these seizing up so I am going to monitor mine every oil change or two, and I recommend anyone else to do the same.


The E-clips are facing out and the new cotter pins are in the slots.


http://dan.sidebottom.googlepages.com/DSCN0282.JPG



Finally did this, it's been a couple of weeks.

I put them in together and it was a pretty dramatic change in shfit feel. The shifter communicates with your hand much more with the metal bushings. Crisp and precise, i haven't made a mistake yet with them in, not that I'm prone to grinding gears but I get a little overexcited sometimes in the twirties:D In any case worth the money. I don't feel the need for a short shifter any more, becuase I like it just like this.

are these bushings car specific or is there a universal kit or something, i can't find anything for ralliart anywhere.

where did you get these bushing?

Since this post is resurrected, thank you Dan, just used these instructions, perfect.

Yes, the bushings are specific. I have a Ralliart too. The underhood bushings and the shifter console bushings for the Evo, up to and including Evo IX, will fit. I'm in Canada, bought both types from RTM Racing in Hamilton, ON. FYI, to really complete the new shifting feel, I got a 1 lb. round ball shifter knob from RTM too (screws on like stock knob, no stupid set screws). Excellent total package.

how high was the shifter housing raised when the alu base bushings were installed

Thank you!!!! works like a charm


http://i49.tinypic.com/90bxg3.jpg

hey guys sorry to bring this back up, but what exactly do these bushings do? i get really tired of how my evo 8 shifting isnt really precise would this help at all? newb-sorry

how is it not precise? if it's not returning to center or something you have other problems...but if it's the spongey feeling you don't like, then metal bushings are for you :)

if you get the cable and and shifter base bushings, it will eliminate all shifter slop...shifting will feel very very much like operating the action of a bolt action rifle...

no its still very firm and returns to center, it just does not feel precise and smooth but some of it has to do with the fact i had a e36 m3 before! but i appreciate the advise a lot, so underhood base bushings/ shifter base bushings right?

you might have linkage or synchro issues...cable end and shifter base..

This ^^^^

ok thank you! i will be ordering the parts tomorrow :cool:

i installed mine but my larger (linkage thats on the side, lower one) didnt have a pin hole to put a R-clip in. it had grooves around it so a pin goes around it.

is this normal?

every DIY i see has a hole like the top linkage.

cheers

jdm evo 8 gsr for people playing at home.

the C clip is to hold the bushing on the cable end, the pin is to hold the bushing on the lever...