BD Short Shift-So far I don't like it..will it get better?

[Sarge]

I just installed the BD Short Shift kit, and my first impressions were not good . The shift is definitely shorter, but oddly, some of the gears are harder to get into. Third to Fourth used to be easy, but now I have to wait a few seconds while I apply steady pressure before it will pop in. Fourth to Fifth is shorter/easier, but now I have lost the spring tension that used to bring the shifter back to the 3-4 center if I let it go. Has anyone else had this happen? Will it loosen up? I drove it for about 20 minutes, and it's about 90 degrees here. Any help is greatly appreciated... ... ... . Sarge

 

[Diesel Freak]

did you grease the ball and socket before re-assemblying it?

 

[Sarge]

nope, neither BD instructions or the TDR instructions indicated it was needed. The ball cup appears to get oil from the trans case when it is running.

 

[HeberRam]

Mine didn't work either!!!

Sarge... I don't like to bash vendors, and I noticed you have a 2001. The symptoms you describe are exactly the same as mine. I was one of the first to try, and things don't get better!! I changed clutches ( upgraded), after the BD short shift install, and couldn't even get it into gear... thought something was wrong with the clutch? Pull the clutch out again, and same thing. On another web site, some one else with an 2001 was experiencing similar problems with the BD install, and so I took mine out, and everything is fine. When I took out the BD shifter, the rubber mounting on-top of the shift tower was ripped, as I was putting so much tension to get it into gear. If I were you I would take it out and return for refund... . There are a number of 2001 owners that have had exactly the same problem, and have removed them... They haven't posted, the problem in a forum that I am aware about, maybe embarrassed... I melted mine!!!



Steve

 

[Diesel Freak]

Well, the directions are not perfect.



the rubber gasket needs to stay on the transmission, the spacer bolts over it, but first both must be clean enough to eat off... then apply some Permatex ultra grey RTV to the rubber gasket.



I greased the ball and socket... lubricate everything prior to assembly is my motto. :-laf



the top piece of my shifter that bolts over the spacer was slightly warped, so I had to make a gasket to fill in the areas where oil would possibly leak out. I applied the same Ultra Grey RTV to both sides of the gasket... . no leaks





It took me a while to get used to the shorter throughs of the shifter, and also to get my arm and leg coordinated again... but after about a week... . snick snick... but I think the Hurst "T" handle helped the most.



My Dad just picked up a brand new 2003 ETH... . I absolutely HATE they way that transmission shifts... it feels like a sloppy old Road Ranger compared to my shifter.



edit: I have an '01

 

[Diesel Freak]

one last thing... make sure the little bolt coller thingies that go through the spacer butt up against the transmission case, and not the rubber spacer. The head of the bolt coller thingies should sit flush with the top of the shifter cover

 

[Sarge]

HeberRam- I was afraid of something like that. I sent an e-mail to BD tech support, and I am going to send one to Geno's. Hopefully this weekend I will hear from some other 01 owners... ... :{

 

[HeberRam]

It's not an install problem!!

Sarge. . Don't let them say it was an install problem... . Mine was installed right and I'm sure yours was too... It doesn't appear to happen to all 2001's just some I guess. Check out this old link in the DTR:









DTR... won't let me link. Do a search on DTR: RE BD SHORT SHIFTER



Steve

 

[Sarge]

Steve, I tried the link, but it didn't work... ... ... Sarge

 

[HeberRam]

I know see above post



Steve

 

[Black Cloud]

Is the short shift kit avaliable for the 5-speed?

 

[X-10]

You're not alone Sarge, my results are close to yours and I've had mine in for about 4 months. If anything, it has gotten a tad worse. Thought maybe it had something to do with changing to Amsoil about the same time, so have Redline in it now, no change. Will probably do as Steve, and yank mine whenever I get a chance. The shorter throw is nice, but with the notchiness I shift NO faster.

Doug

 

[Fireman]

Hate to hear that guys. Mine works quiet well and improved a good bit through use. I hate ya'll have had trouble, because it been a real sweet bomb for me.



Fireman

 

[Sarge]

I was really hoping it would too Fireman. I drove it again this morning, and it was no different. Really notchy, and hard to get in gear. I pulled it out this afternoon and put the stock shifter back in. Took it out for a ride, and she slipped into gear much easier. Something has changed though. Is it possible to bend shift forks, or mess up a syncro?? It seems that all the problems have occurred with the 01' model year. Maybe the 03' year tolerances are a little different.

 

[crebelein]

i installed one in my 03 and it made the shift much shorter. no problems moving from gear to gear either...



the shorter shift was nice but i still decided against it... i'm currently selling my 03 6-speed kit. if anybody is interested check the classifieds or send me a pm... .

 

[Rman]

I've had short shift kits on a couple of sports cars i used to have. It was a great addition for SCCA racing circuits and for drag racing, however everyday driving was a joke. Stiff as hell, notchy and well just not a pleasant feeling. I think my 6 speed shifts fine the way it is.



Nothing against BD, it may very well be a perfect unit. but from my previous experiences with shift kits i'm staying with what i like already. I tow stuff with my truck, i drag race with cars. Though rowing to work every morning does get old.

 

[Diesel Freak]

Re: It's not an install problem!!

Originally posted by HeberRam

Sarge. . Don't let them say it was an install problem... . Mine was installed right and I'm sure yours was too... It doesn't appear to happen to all 2001's just some I guess. Check out this old link in the DTR:





Steve

Just trying to cover all the bases. There must be a difference during assembly of the trannies fron NVG to

cause this.

 

[Sarge]

There may be some difference, as mine was horrible. The good news is I e-mailed Geno's last night, and today I received word that I will be sending it back for a refund However, I also sent an e-mail to BD tech support regarding the same issue. No contact I'm glad Geno's is prompt in responding to their customers needs. That's why I keep coming back... ... ...

 

[Briar Hopper]

We've seen symptoms exactly like this, without our own version of a 5 speed short shifter being installed. There were several causes: 1) the transmission was a recent reman from a certain company, and one of the bolt holes for the shift tower was partially stripped. An easy detail for a transmission rebuilder to overlook, but a nasty one that can cause BIG problems... In this case it allowed the bolt to work loose and the shift tower to rock too much, preventing the lever from going into reverse. 2) The clutch slave/master cylinder assembly was also determined to be weak. Failure to completely disengage the clutch can prevent going into gear. The "notchiness" and hesitation at going into gear, is a dead giveaway to me of two things: incomplete clutch release, or syncro/shift fork damage.

An aftermarket short throw shifter kit can cause problems if the bolts are not properly tightened, allowing the whole thing to rock or move around too much. The RTV silicone you use for the installation also needs to be kept away from the bolts, and you need blue loctite on the bolts. The stock design is not very strong, to begin with.

Sarge, I sympathize with your problems, I'm not saying that the above is the cause. There could be problems other than the shifter. Wish I was there to help you figure it out.

 

[Sarge]

Well, thanks for the words of wisdom, and I wish you could have helped me figure it out too. Instead I am left with a injured transmission (I think) and no answers. I am e-mailing Pat from BD Tech support. I'm not sure what can be done at this point though. I tried to attach a photo of the completed install, but it was too large for the site.