20 replies to this topic

[BigWillieStyles]

Hello all,

installing a short shifter on my gen 3 Legacy. I managed to get the old shifter out with no issue. I just turned it around and leaned back on the shifter until it popped out. But am now having difficulty getting the new shifter in. The shifter balls look identical to me and I have covered the ball in lube from the old shifter. Have also tried using a big rock with a rag tied around it but to no avail.

Any tips how to get it back in?

William

[00libertyrx]

I went and used the benchgrinder and took a very small abount off the mid point around the ball, few taps with a rubber mallet and it popped in. Was a pain in the ass to do

[simon]

hey will,

I had the same problem putting my prova short shifter in. Alittle grease & a small amount heat (not 2 much) from a heat gun, went straight in.

Sim

[BigWillieStyles]

Thanks guys. I dont have a heat gun, I think I might buy some more grease and maybe a rubber mallet.

[simon]

hair dryer maybe?? I had a rubber mallet + grease = no good. Rubber mallet + grease + heat gun = high fives

[BigWillieStyles]

Ok, tried the hair dryer, just couldnt heat the metal enough. I also got a rubber mallet and used a lot of force = nothing. Atleast I know the shifter is strong.

I am going to see if I can get a cheap heat gun at Mitre 10 or bunnings. How much heat?

Also, I went for the GD wrx ss which I assume fits our cars?

[SAV84C]

When I did mine, I just put the gear knob back on then put all my weight on it and it popped in...

[simon]

I didnt heat the shifter itself but the rubber/plastic socket the shifter sits in. only a small amount of heat.

I think most of the short shifters for the suby 5 speed manual fit. the 6 speed sti boxes are different.

[BigWillieStyles]

I didnt heat the shifter itself but the rubber/plastic socket the shifter sits in. only a small amount of heat.

I just realised that. I spoke to my neighbour who is going to lend me his heat gun and he said that too. I have also just used some wet and dry sand paper to take just a small amount off the ball and polish the surface a bit more.

I think most of the short shifters for the suby 5 speed manual fit. the 6 speed sti boxes are different.

Yeah thats what I thought. Just checking.

[portugese_gorilla]

This might sound silly but you could try put the shifter in the freezer

[BigWillieStyles]

This might sound silly but you could try put the shifter in the freezer

please explain Has this worked for you?

[00libertyrx]

please explain Has this worked for you?

When metal is cooled it shrinks, should make it slip in easyer, and as it heats up it expands again.

[vicelore]

Id say it would help..

[Morgan]

Just whack the crap out of it with a mallet.

I did and it popped right in

[Alex]

Don't heat. Freeze if anything.

Protip: find a nut with the same thread, wind it on almost all of the way, protecting the top, and the thread. Then whack the holy bejesusshit out of it.

Make sure there's no circlip at the base, else you need to remove that.

[BigWillieStyles]

Finally got it in just before. I ended up using some fine grid wet/dry to sand and polish the surface. Also bought a bigger mallet and really smashed it hard.

Alex - thats a really good suggestion, and I was lucky that I didnt mark the thread.

Took the car for a test spin with the new shifter. Definitely feels different. Shifts are quicker. I also know what people mean by notchy now. I have the polyurethane bushings for the underneath as well, so they will be the next challenge.

thanks to all for the helpful suggestions. I probably would have given up without hearing from others.

[Sam]

Not sure if the shifts should be quicker, from what I have been told this will wear your gearbox a lot quicker than normal...
But the throw is shorter, I loved mine and will be getting one for the wrx box

[BigWillieStyles]

Not sure if the shifts should be quicker, from what I have been told this will wear your gearbox a lot quicker than normal...
But the throw is shorter, I loved mine and will be getting one for the wrx box

short throw = quicker shifts = reduced time between changes. Less time on the box, more time on the pedal.


Edited!

[Sam]

I thought so too, but a few people said that the quicker you shift, the quicker youll wear the box....
Its probably just quicker because you dont have to go as far?

[simon]

So whats the benefit of a short throw? Quicker shifts I thought.

That was my understanding as well.

Glad you got it in mate........that's what she said