Repairing a Shifter Cable in a MkII

by Kevin Clarence

If the gear cable happens to break one day (the gear stick will feel lose or free) do not despair too much It is possible to reach in the front of the passenger rear wheel and manually select a gear to get you home. I recomend third as it is possible to take off in this gear (if you're careful with the clutch) and ,yet suitable to drive at the speed limit with out over-revving the engine.

The Repair

From your friendly Toyota dealer order

Cable assembly transmission 33821-17061 approx $330.00
Lever, control shift 33527-17100 approx $ 70.00

Refer to Service Bulletin Group 05, No. P 19, Date DEC 1992

[Linkage Image] Service Bulletin Diagram

Back in your garage

Inside the cabin

The veltical console - Unscrew 4 screws inside the console, 2 top and 2 bottom. Remove The horizontal console - Unclip 4 caps, unscrew 4 screws at the rear. Unscrew the gear knob Lift off the leather boot. Lift the plastic dress plate from the rear, unscrew 2 screws at the front. Remove.

All is now revealed

Working from the stick shift to the gear box, remove the 12mm nut to the stick shift. Lift vertically using a pair of pliers the locking washer. Unscrew 10mm nut and remove the saddle clip. Unscrew 2 - lOmm nuts and remove the coverplate and rubber grornmet on the firewall

It was at this point that I became impressed with the quality construction of the MR2, not withstanding the broken cable.

Underneath the car

Lift vertially using a pair of pliers the locking washer. (this was tighter than the one inside the cabin and I had to persuade it with a hammer and long screwdriver) Remove the wire clip at the end of the cable. The broken cable can now be removed. Undo the 10mm cotter pin to the lever control shift. Remove the cotter pin, do not damage the thread. (this took some time as it would not budge and I had to manufacture a small press to press it out). Turn lever 90° to clear the second shift lever block and slide the lever off the shaft.

Reassemble new parts in reverse order. No further adjustment should be necessary. With trade discount the entire exercise cost me $386.90 and took me an hour to complete. Making the press took another hour.


Kevin Clarence
President MR2 Owners Club (VIC) INC
AUSTRALIA