Shifter Bushings

ManiacMx3 · Post by **ManiacMx3** » May 23rd, 2005, 1:40 am

Alright guys i am not too familiar with anything to do with my shift linkages in my car and i just bought the bronz oil shifter bushings i have the one set in that goes in the actual short shifter and now i need to know where i need to put the second set in at. Let me know then guys. thanks

georgechicken · Post by **georgechicken** » May 23rd, 2005, 2:04 pm

the 2nd set goes at the end of the shift rod, where it connects to the transmission. your shifter will thank you. Good stuff.

Daniel

kkyin · Post by **kkyin** » June 2nd, 2005, 12:51 pm

do i need to get under the car to do it?

georgechicken · Post by **georgechicken** » June 3rd, 2005, 4:12 pm

That's the easiest way. In theory, you could get one pair from inside by tearing out the center console, dropping the shifter, and becoming rubberman and contorting yourself about 20 different ways. But if you go the popular route and just get under the car, this job can be done EASILY in under an hour, given that you have the right tools handy and aren't dealing with heavily rusted parts. I could swap mine out in 15 minutes, but I've done this a million times and my bolts are all easy to break since I frequently lube and remove them in my line of work... DO liberally use some WD-40, or other lube/penetrating oil. DO NOT even think of trying to use SAE size wrenches, you'll round off those bolts faster than Barry Clark would lose a race.

Fear not though, it's simple enough. Just make sure that you properly lift and support your car (see: JACKSTANDS) and protective eyewear is always a good idea. If you don't know why, then wait for my upcoming book entitled "Daniel's Laws of Auto Mechanics". Law number 1 or 2 is "If you're under it looking up, the crap on it WILL fall in your eyes."

Good luck!

Daniel

synap · Post by **synap** » June 6th, 2005, 6:30 pm

Question about the bolt that holds these bushings on to the shifter. The bolt on mine is really rusted and with my luck it may break. Can I just a regular bolt or is it a special bolt needed? Will the 3rd link bolt fit there if is get two? If you get the 4 bushings and the 3rd link, will you end up with 2 extra bushing?

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » June 6th, 2005, 11:09 pm

synap wrote:Question about the bolt that holds these bushings on to the shifter. The bolt on mine is really rusted and with my luck it may break. Can I just a regular bolt or is it a special bolt needed? Will the 3rd link bolt fit there if is get two? If you get the 4 bushings and the 3rd link, will you end up with 2 extra bushing?

Should not have any bushings extra. I know the instructions aren't the greatest. The 4 bushings for the shifter go with 2 at the bottom of the gear lever and the other 2 at the far end of the rod at the transmission. That bolt at the transmission is actually has a rivet head shape to it which butts up against a stopper plate to keep from moving when tightening. The third link's bolt is an identical type and size bolt to the one that's closest to the transmission. That one replaces the rivetted bolt that HAS to be ground down to remove. What you'll end up with is 2 identical bolts on the transmission end. Neither of those bolts are the same size as the bolt at the bottom of the gear lever. If using both kits you'll use all 6 bushings.

kkyin · Post by **kkyin** » June 7th, 2005, 9:47 am

so there are 3 pairs of bushings?
one that at the shift lever (18 on page J2-054)
one that at the control rod (11 on page J2-054)
Where's the third?

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » June 7th, 2005, 12:54 pm

kkyin wrote:so there are 3 pairs of bushings?
one that at the shift lever (18 on page J2-054)
one that at the control rod (11 on page J2-054)
Where's the third?

Let's say that you've already done the first mod that came with the 4 bushings like you've indicated above.
Now again go to the control rod near the transmission. The other bolt that is there that needs to have the rivet head ground off to fit the next 2 bushings along with the NEW bolt and nut that is part of the "3rd link" mod.
In total 6 bushiungs.

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » June 11th, 2005, 11:43 pm

2 Days later and I finally get the 4 shifter bushings in, the 3rd link bushings and bolt in and the shifter extension rod mod is also done. 2 days flat on my back with 18" space to work in....I'm going to be paying for this for a few days now....LOL. The shifter extension rod mod was a real PITA. I won't go into details but if a shop had to put them in it would have cost me dearly. The shifter bushings on the other hand were quite easy to do. The shifter is much tighter now, no slack, no flopping around and surprisingly not alot of vibration coming through as was advised and expected. It has however aggravated my shifting into 3rd gear. I find it very difficult to get a smooth shift from 2nd to 3rd. All the other gears are fine. Even changed the tranny fluid with royal purple 2 months ago and still that annoying 3rd gear problem.

Not to jack the thread since it's been pretty quiet for a while, but are there others that experience upshifting problems into 3rd gear? BTW, had a new clutch hose installed a year ago and the cluth lines bled twice.

Cosmas · Post by **Cosmas** » July 25th, 2005, 10:25 am

Hey, just outta curiosity, are you talking about a kit you got from Mazda directly .. or something aftermarket?

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » July 25th, 2005, 3:46 pm

Cosmas wrote:Hey, just outta curiosity, are you talking about a kit you got from Mazda directly .. or something aftermarket?

SRD Bronzoil Bushings. Link is on MX-3.com homepage.

kkyin · Post by **kkyin** » August 10th, 2005, 2:53 pm

would driving with a bad bushing hurt the shift/control rod?
if I wanna change it, where is a good place to buy one?

verzutiko · Post by **verzutiko** » August 10th, 2005, 3:08 pm

http://www.srdperformance.com is a very good place to start. Performance parts by enthusiasts!

mxmaz · Post by **mxmaz** » August 10th, 2005, 3:16 pm

i just used oem bushings i got at my local dealer and the difference is like night and day from what it was before. They cost me like 8 bux for them.