Gears are acting up...

Oh boy, this won't be a 'happy new year' -- when driving home last night I suddenly couldn't get my '98 Box into 5th gear... and then, shortly after, I realize that I only have 2nd and 4th -- no 1st, no 3rd, and no reverse. The shifter is also "loose", vertically. As always, any help appreciated.

-- peer

Broken shift cable couplers, broken plastic shifter bushings....these are all easily replaceable and have nothing to do with the transaxle itself.

All accessible by removing the center console.

As noted, first thing to do is to pull the main console to see if everything is still attached to the shifter. You can find lots of info on this by searching on how to install a shift kit in a Boxster. If that all looks good then you can pull the engine cover to see if everything is still attached on that end. Once you have all that info then it's either a relatively easy fix or time to worry

Might just be cable/transmission bracket dislodged.

It might also be something as simple as the shift cable(s) popping off the bracket that secures it to the transmission. This happened to me once at the track and once on the street, and the symptom was no 1st or 3rd gear engagement, and a floppy shifter.

I have a couple of pictures at the link below that show where this is located and what it looks like. It's behind the right rear wheel up above the catalytic converter (let it cool off if hot!). One or both cables pop loose from the bracket so it can't push/pull correctly. You can fix it by reaching in there and snapping the cable back in place on the bracket. (If that is the problem!) It's probably very difficult to reach without taking the wheel off. Check out the notes overlaid on the 2nd photo showing the misaligned cables.

Here's the whole set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bombaydigital/sets/72157594167732010/with/168424266/

Here's how it looks when it is correct:

I just found the culprit; a broken shift rod (se below picture). But I have no idea how to replace it -- I don't even know how to get it off (looks like it's crush pressed) and probably need a special tool..? Again, any help appreciated (and if you're in the Redwood City neighborhood and would like to help me, I'll happily treat you for a fancy dinner ;^)

-- peer

Good news! That's an easy fix. Each end is just a ball and socket joint so it will just pop off. I've seen people weld those back together before and it seemed to work but it's probably not too expensive to just get a new one from the dealer.

flintworks said:

Good news! That's an easy fix. Each end is just a ball and socket joint so it will just pop off. I've seen people weld those back together before and it seemed to work but it's probably not too expensive to just get a new one from the dealer.

Click to expand...

Thanks to you guys, a $1,200 job ended up to be only $300 (including the part).

-- peer