MX-3.com

Shifter really seems to rattle and vibrate with an annoying noise when i go above 3000RPM.

I can usually hold it with my hand or move it slightly to a better position to stop the rattle momentarily.

Is there a good way to make the shifter lock into gear better or just stiffen it up?

You first need to find out why it is rattling. Jack up the car crawl under and inspect where the shifter connects to the linkage. your bushings could be worn out. If those look fine inspect the bushings on the tranny end of the linkage. Those are probably your culprit. If you have a short shifter it could be rattling against the exhaust. You can guy OEM replacement bushings from the dealership or you can buy bronzoil bushings from SRD. This is most likely your problem.

Thanks for the advice. This is exactly what im looking for.. looks like a quick fix too.

It is pretty easy. The OEM ones are pretty cheep. You can get them at the dealership. You can find these bronzoil bushings at http://www.srdperformance.com

I use off the shelf fiber impregnated bushings. The have all the same properties as oil-lite bronze except for they are more resistant to operating in wet and abrasive environment in a low rotational speed application. I think they are about $1.75 ea when bought in bulk but I can't be sure I asked my rep for a sample of the catalog# that fits the shift linkage and was sent 10 FOC due to the volume on other produces we do with him. Use 6 to completely redo the linkage in one car and 2 in the other to do the shifter.

I'm glad you asked this question since I am having same problem and this helped me. Mine really puts out a vibration and is VERY loose. I can have teh stick in whatever position and it just wobbles around like crazy.

I am having the same problem and ordering my bushings from SRD this week. also check the 3rd Bushing on SRD's website cause i looked at mine and it is completly Gone and mazda says you have to replace the WHOLE control arm to take care of that bushing. to you mazda LOL

stupid question but.....SRD?

http://www.srdperformance.com/

they sell the bushings.

thx for link

sometimes it's just the bolt that holds it all together too. i just needed to tighten mine and it fixed the problem. i already had the SRD bushings however. if you notice that the shifter is really hard to move after you tightened it, you tightened it too much.

Ok, my question...where do we access the bushings, from under the car or inside with boot and center console removed?

Thanks

Gro Harlem has an excellent HOWTO on the subject on his website:

http://www.clubprotege.com/wil/howto/bushings/

you guys are awesome! thank you very much for this how-to, now i'm off to try it myself, i'll let ya know how it goes! -lynz

its super easy linz so have fun and good luck