I can no longer easily move it back and forth when it's in neutral. It's kind of just stuck there dead in the center and i can jerk it back and forth but it takes a lot of effort..

i can still go into gears fine.. its just harder to move it......


is there some kind of spring or linkage problem that this is related to ? any ideas?



thanks

 

Have ya checked all the bushings? Btw, what year Max is it? I'm assuming 00-01....

 

2000

which bushings should i be checking?

 

Like do you really have to push hard to get it into gears? I had that happen to my 2000 and it turned out to be my slave clutch but problems may vary.

 

its not any harder to get into gears... all i'm talking about is the lack of free play in the shifter in the neutral position... may seem minor but it's annoying... it's really tight...


i just took off all the shields on the underbody to get a better look.. thinking maybe the spring ripped but it's fine. it has something to do with the linkage...


any more ideas?

 

anyone else?

 

make sure the shift control rod isnt rubbing on anything. you might try disconnecting it and using a screwdriver at the trans to move side to side and see if you get the same drag.

also remove the shifter boot and see if any pivots and whatnot need lubrication.

 

LUBRICATE EVERYTHING. oh it feels so good...

 

NO... dont lubricate that...

 

Thanks, yeah.. i am going to disconnect the linkage from the front and see if it still moves the same way.

 

I was actually thinking about an experience from my 02, so it may or may not apply. Well, there are bushings at the end of the shift control rod, but I'm not sure if those will cause what you're describing.

Like Bewst said, check the shift control rod components and maybe even the shift lever/stalk because I believe that there is a bearing at the bottom of that that may influence motion.