I have a 1998 R/T with manual shift. Lately there has been some stick-shift play developing in the forward/rear direction, around 1 to 1 1/2 inches of loose play. Nothing abnormal on side to side stick movement, seems tight and responsive as ever. Just forward and back looseness. Any ideas? Is this a popular problem? Any help in resolving this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Sounds like your shift linkage bushings are going out. THere are two on the transmission where the cables connect to the gear selectors ontop of the transmission (These are the most likely culprit) and there are two inside the car where the linkage connects to the actual shifter. Normally these just go out, or they fall out sometimes too. Its common for them to be missing, especially if you have done any sort of tranny work on the car *easily forgotten!* You can buy a set of replacements at www.boogerbushings.com

 

Thanks a million NEONRT98,
You hit the nail right on the head. One of the bushings at the transmission linkage (above transmission) is missing. No work has ever been done with that so I suppose it just got old and fell out. Do the bushings simply rely on pressure to keep them seated in place? It seems odd that there is no retainer clip on top of the center pin that the bushing and linkageattach to. Something tokeep the whole unit from lifting off. Then again Ifix copiers/printers, not cars, maybe the designworks good. Just looks strange to me. Anyway Ialready ordered the boogerbushings. Problem soon tobe fixed. Thanks again.

 

same exact thing happened to me...a couple of washers and push nuts solved that problem though for now

 

What color did yo get?

 

I think there is supposed to be a retaining clip on it, not 100% sure though... but the booger bushings just push on there, much easier! Glad I could help!

 

the stock bushings just push on....the inside of the bushing is tapered
my work car had booger bushings when i got it....those things are awsome.....virtually no play in the shifter....i just ordered some for the r/t the other day so i have yet to put them in when i get em

 

I miss my boogers

 

quit picking your nose then

i ordered red ones for my car.....go figure....since most of the motor is gonna be red and the car is red

 

I got the orange ones since I like to hunt. It really didn't matter to me much. I had to invent a reason for a color choice.