Gear shift lever spins on lower half...normal?

[Frankd1]

I wasn't sure if the upper half of the shift lever is supposed to spin on the lower half?

Also, is there supposed to be a spring as part of the shift lever assembly in the shift tower?

I can pull up on the shift lever and if I push down it bottoms out but with no spring feel to it....if that makes any sense at all..

Here's a video of what I mean:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W6uQ5i6IU1s

[76was124]

Question 1
Mine always have, 76 and 82 spiders. I suspect (but don't know) that it is normal, as if it didn't spin, the shift knob would probably eventually spin loose from shifting...... I don't see anything that prevents it from spinning but the O-Ring, which maybe used to keep in snug, but with age permits it to freely spin.

Question 2
There should be a spring, see this: http://italiancarsclub.free.fr/Centre-D ... ttower.htm

[So Cal Mark]

if you have new bushings in the upper lever it won't spin

[Frankd1]

I'm going to order a new shifter bushing extension kit and replace.

As far as the spring in the shift lever lower socket assembly (#22 in the diagram), I don't think mine is there. It doesn't feel as though there is any spring when I push down on the lever. The transmission goes through all of the gears without any issues though.

autoricambi has a shifter lever lower socket kit which includes the spring and a few other bits as well (#22,23,24,10,12 in the diagram). I may order that and refresh that area as too.

Question:

To service this lower socket kit do I need to drop the tranny or can it be done from the top and inside the car?

Thanks

[Odoyle]

No need to pull the trans, from what you're describing it sounds like you need to replace the spring in the shifter assembly. Get under the car and take off the plate under the shifter housing, there should be a 13mm nut that you remove and the whole shifter assembly comes out. Though you do need to work around the driveshaft, but it's very doable, if your having trouble you can disconnect the driveshaft, but that shouldn't be necessary. I recently did this job and purchased a complete shifter rebuild kit from AR, but ended up only using the spring as I found that the OE parts were worn-in and gave a better "feel" than it's replacement. I can post pictures of the factory manual if you need help reinstalling, but first, get the shifter off the car and see what you need to replace.

[KevAndAndi]

My own humble opinion is that the chrome shifter assembly is a ridiculously and unnecessarily complicated contraption. It is a real PITA to remove if you don't know the trick. And the spinning is, for me, completely unacceptable.

One of the first things I did was to get a Michigan short shifter. Gloriously simple, no spinning, and no cursing if you have to take the upper part off: it's removed by loosening two set screws. I much prefer the shorter shifter.

[So Cal Mark]

removing the chrome extension is quite easy. Once it's off merely replace the bushings and retainer and pop it back on. For those that want to do away with it and not have to fool with tightening set screws I have a new lower lever that is threaded on top to accept the shift knob

[Frankd1]

I read up on a couple of how to's for removing the chrome extension and it seems pretty straight forward. As long as I don't pull too hard and end up impaling myself I should be good...I will order a new bushing kit from AR

Odoyle,

is this the diagram that you are talking about:



If not, I will take the pics and instructions that you have when you get a chance..

I believe the spring I need to replace is part #22..

Am I just removing the shift lever lower socket # 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 24?
Does #7 need to come out as well? I though there was a seal in there that is prone to leaking that should be replaced....#6 I think..

Thanks

[Bond1313]

I have the same issue and it is very annoying. I tried a new bushing but it still spins. Perhaps the bushing I installed was not tight enough. Let me know if it works for you.

[Odoyle]

Here are the instructions for installation, unless #7 is out of the trans don't worry about it. Begin dissasembly by removing #14, #12 and then remove #11 and the whole assembly will come out.

[Frankd1]

Understood thanks!

[76was124]

Just be careful when you remove the shifter as spring (clip) #21 can pop off, and be tough to find where it falls.

[So Cal Mark]

those pics are the lower lever, not the chrome extension. There are two bushings and a couple of plastic retainers that hold the extension to the lower lever

[baltobernie]

The assembly order is 1,5,4,2,3. You may have to give it a whack with a hammer.

[toplessexpat]

Hint when replacing the lower shifter ball assembly: when you are removing the plate above the driveshaft, it has three bolts in a triangle. Remove two and loosen off the third. Then swing the plate out of the way. If you're just replacing the spring, lower ball, nut etc - this makes it much easier. Also, getting an assistant to push down the shifter while you're tightening everything up is helpful too (although not mandatory). If you need to replace the socket the lower ball fits into then you'll need to remove that third bolt and it gets trickier (although still doable) as you've got a spring loaded assembly trying to pop out downwards, while you're laying on your back, working around the driveshaft, trying to get it back together!

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