1986 shifter/shifting issue

[Scott]

Hi all, my 86 S shifting has gone a little strange. I have noticed this week the pattern of the gears seemed to be shifting slightly, felt in having the shifter move a little to the left while going into 2nd gear. Today it didn't want to go into 5th, and with some gentle maneuvering i was able to get it in, but it felt like more where third gear should be.

It balked in the same way getting into reverse, and i noted the shifter itself can be pushed down an inch or so.

What is going on here? I have been lucky, and my C900 ownership has not included any shifter issues so i have ignored that part of the bentley manual. Any guidance appreciated.

[tirediron]

most likely the shifter pivot is worn out or failed. I would pull the trim off and inspect.

[Jordan]

Or the rubber bushing on the selector rod , although the early ones I don't think I've seen fail, the later ones fail all the time.

[Scott]

I gave up and took it to Viking automotive. They found the shifter was toast, which is apparently rare. I begin to wonder if the car was in a wreck long ago. Any who, they replaced it with a used one from a comparable year, so shifting is all well again. All under $100, so I can't complain.

[DeLorean]

The plastic shifters do break from time to time, they are not a part that lasts forever.