shifter issue

[LittleRam50]

So when I put my transmission into gear, I have a lot of play. Feels like neutral. What could be causing this?

[geezer101]

Here's a place to start looking - http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/showthread.php/3703-Shifter-bushing

There isn't a lot that can go wrong with the shifter forks and rods. There are a couple of springs and retainers in the extension housing that 'could' break (but highly unlikely of) - that could make the shifter lever feel sloppy. The bolts holding in the top shifter plate can also come undone (lotsa fun when they pull out completely...) :thumbup:

[Merrill]

That pretty much covers it ^^^

I'd say either the bushing bit the dust, or the bolts came out. I ended up having to drill and tap my shifter bolts larger to get everything to actually stay.

[ratesheet]

I'm leaning toward Merrills post, I just had a shifter issue and it was the nylon bushing at the end of the shifter in the transmission...my temporary fix is...I used a 1/2 inch copper cap, the type used to cap off a soldered copper water line, the OD is a perfect fit for the recess in the transmission and 3 wraps of electricians tape on the shifter ball that goes into the nylon bushing into the transmission....BTW...normally I would use the correct part but it was a Sunday and no parts stores had the part and I needed to go to the dealer who was closed.

[Merrill]

Those nylon bushings are available in a ton of Mitsubishi cars. 1g/2g Eclipse, 3g/4G Mirage, Dodge Colt, Montero Sport (manual trans), the Mighty Max (of course), Eagle Talon, Eagle Summit, that silly looking FWD van thing, Conquest, Starion..... and a bunch more.

I guarantee just about any junk yard would have one. If you are honest and try to pay, I bet they wouldn't even charge for it.

[LittleRam50]

I checked the bushing. It's still in tact. But I also looked at another 4wd and it has the same about of play?