Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 5spd shifter shakes?

[tippytoes]

the shifter feels loser than it has in the past when i move between 1 2 3 gears. when it is engaged in 1 2 3 4 and 5 (both parked or driving) the shifter stays in the gear fine but i can move it side to side about an inch or so.



this has been gradually getting my attention as being loser than times past. i picked the truck up from the shop yesterday and *really* noticed it as abnormal... has anyone else had this problem? the truck has 160K on it so i understand it could be normal wear... but i really do not know.





when it's running good everything likes to start acting funny at once



thanks for the input,

t

 

[GCroyle]

'97 Sorta Loose Too

T



Our '97 has similar symptoms, nice and loose shifter, not as snug as my '05 or the '07 at work.



I have not worked on it yet, but when I do, I will be focusing on the shift handle ball pivot in the tower to see if any of it is looser that is should be, worn parts. Have not done it yet, but I will later this spring.



Has not caused any problems, just got a bit of a loose long throw to shift.

 

[tippytoes]

thanks Gary, it's good to hear the looseness hasn't caused problems! pardon my ignorance of 5spds, is the shift handle pivot something i can get at in a fairly easy manner to check?

 

[GCroyle]

T

I don't have my maunals with me right now, I'll try to look at it this weekend. Our '97 shifter cap is held into the tower with a pin and cam slot arrangment, need to push the cap down, and then rotate the cap to clear the two retaining pins, then pull out the top. Not sure about what parts are the culprits.

 

[tippytoes]

awesome. my manual is in the tool box, i'm hoping to get a chance to take a crack at it this weekend, the loose throw is driving me a little nuts... 'cause doesn't shift as fast



i'll let you know how it turns out. thanks for the reply!



t

 

[JDiehl]

Same here with the loose shifter on my 2000. 1st and fifth are have less play than the other gears. Sometimes in 5th at highway speed I hear a slight rattle or ticking from the shifter. When a little presure is put against it the noise stops. Wondering if I have the same problem or the nut is backing off 5th.

 

[tippytoes]

JDiehl,

yep, i have that rattle too, and i had forgotten about it until i read your comment. resting my hand on the shifter stops it. a friend of mine suggested it the nut may be the problem for the loose shifter too.



my left hand on the wheel contends with the awful loose steering and my right messes with the sloppy shifter... . #@$%! driving is all wobbles.



i'll see what i can tighten as GCroyle suggested and i'll ask the shop about the charge for tightening up the 5th gear nut.



t

 

[tippytoes]

rumor has it that the NV4500 has 2 bushings around the joint in the tower that can become worn, and also a spring, all which lead to a wobbly shifter.



i'll see if i can find replacements, perhaps a kit, and post results.



t