My buddy just bought an Evo a few days ago with the shifter side-to-side movement is really stiff. When you pull it to one side, it sticks to that side instead of springing back to center like it should. I have disconnected the side shifter bushing from the trans and determined the in cabin shifter itself is fine. When I try to shift it on the trans itself, it's very hard to move it and does stick when pressed down.
Anyone got an idea what happened? Previous owner said it was like that after a new clutch install.
How hard is it to take out the shifter assembly from the trans and re-lube/replace whatever is in there that makes it stiff?
It shift fine into gear though. Nothing stiff when shifting into gear.

 

Yeah, clutch job makes sense. I just finished a clutch job on my car and since the shifter levers tend to catch on the fender, I pulled the control housing. Once you are down to the top of the transmission it is no trouble at all. Put the transmission in neutral, remove the stopper on top, remove small bolts and pull the housing - this is for the 5 speed. There is a neutral return spring that tends to fall off the end of the shaft. Fish that out if necessary and it is apart. The thing is, if the shifter arms got bent then the problem is probably external so maybe disassembly will be unnecessary. BTW, the side to side movement is moving the control shaft in the transmission in and out.