I am trying to decide whether it is even worth the hassle to DIY replace my manual transmission shifter rods bushings, or just bite the bullet and take it to my Indy shop (very reasonable folks)? Having spent some time under the car in the general vicinity of where the work needs to be done, I am not all that enthusiastic about trying it, only to discover it is just too hard without a lift (and small hands and arms). Has anybody given this a try? Successfully? Was it worth the work vs. the savings? I am not bad with a wrench, and not often discouraged by degree of difficulty, but this one just looks too hard!

 

I love working on my car, also a 6 speed manual, I don't have a lift, so I would probably pay to have this done. Just my opinion.

 

if you guys would just look at what u are saying U can replace these bushings just pull carter key,
one rod at a time remove old bushing ,push old one out with screw driver push the rubber bushing in with your finger ,,go to the next one.
U don't even have to see what you are doing ,,,just feel .oh may need to see to reinstall the carter key
same for the auto tranny just one bushing jim

 

Hi Jim,
What's a Carter Key?

 

Cotter Key

 

Hey Jim, Thanks for the encouragement. From the diagrams I have examined, and the parts that I ordered, there are no cotter keys - only clips. And while removal of bushings may be fairly easy with a screwdriver, installation of the new ones by pushing them in with a finger is most definitely not - in fact all the work-ups that I have seen require a special tool for pressing the bushings in, or removal of the rod to take to the bench and pressing the bushings in using a jury rigged set-up with threaded rod, sockets to match the bushing circumference, and jam nuts. The real challenge appears to be in reaching and manipulating the rods and bushings because of their location. A couple of the DIY videos I have seen require dropping the tranny a little and moving the driveshaft. Have you actually done this repair yourself? If so, a little more detail on how you reached and handled the parts would be helpful. Thanks!

 

when i speak the computer writes whatever it wants and sometimes i don't recheck it so ZERACER
said it for me cotter key is correct thanks ZERACER for correcting that and now replace the word clips in place of cotter key and we are all
on the same page. jim

 

your right about the clips ,,older cars ,1960's had cotter keys yet we have changed the bushings on crossfires both auto and manual and the new bushing are soft and go in easer than u think.. yet yes we are on a lift ,
It is like the rear end the book says 6 hours i think yet we do it is less than 2 hours on the floor with jack stands on the lift less than an hour . i guess it comes down to
how many you change in a year or month as we change the bushings with almost ever crossfire that we work on quote from Miami Matt. I don't have anything to do with the shop any longer ( to old to do that stuff) but Matt comes up to Melbourne from Miami when ever i need help on my car jim

 

Thanks, Jim! I think I will at least give it a try before I turn it over to my Indy Tech. I will just get it as high as I safely can on jack stands and go from there. I appreciate your input.

 

thanks and I think you can do it when u get the new bushings you will see they are soft and will push right in. Let us know how it works out.

 

Thanks! It sounds like it may be worth a try. Any "Pro Tips" or suggestions from lessons you have learned? Did you have to move anything to get at them? Driveshaft? Drop tranny a little? Exhaust? Did you remove the rods or just pop them off the attachments and pop back on after bushing replacement? Whatever you can think of is going to be of immense help. I appreciate it!

 

I have done AMX's 4 speed in the car lots of them ,,like you said just pull the clip pop out the rod check you don't have one blocking the other
the hard part is putting the clip back, as you have to do that without seeing where it goes. jim