Seized Transmission Linkage

Sh0ty · 10-31-2009, 12:26 AM

Hey, whilst driving on the highway today, I tried shifting into first (gridlock, wanted to merge into next lane) and the transmission wouldn't slot in. After a little wrestling, I got it in second and then couldn't shift out of it (if I moved my shift lever into N or 1, I'd still get 2 and I couldn't move it to 3,4,5,R). I limped the car home and had a look at my linkage.

I recently replaced my shift bushings with steel ABEC bearings like another member did in the mr2 wiki. The bearing seems to be showing excessive play after a couple weeks and leads me to my question:

Is it possible that excess play in these bearings (bushings) would cause the cables to pull at too much of an angle and bind the tranny arms? I can move them smoothly by hand.

Ku-sama · 10-31-2009, 12:33 AM

check to see if the clips to the cables came undone, it can happen

Medusa · 10-31-2009, 03:01 AM

It certainly sounds that way, I'd do a double check on your installation just to be sure everything is re-assembled properly.

Sh0ty · 11-01-2009, 12:34 AM

The clips are there. I'm going to replace the bearings tomorrow and make sure everything is firm down there. If I determine that it was the bearing, I'll give them another shot, and secondary failure will require solid brass (or if I can manufacture steel, that'd be ideal) replacements.

MidnyteRunner · 11-01-2009, 01:46 AM

my MR2 is doing the same thing. my clutch feels really heavy after driving in 5th gear and then it wont clutch in and let me move my shifter. i need to know where to start to fix this

Sh0ty · 11-03-2009, 04:06 PM

Turns out the linkage isn't seized, one of my shift cables broke. Should I go for used or new? Also, what kind of time investment am I looking at for the actual installation?

Ku-sama · 11-03-2009, 04:07 PM

used, and about 5-10 minutes. I broke mine twice (I rewelded mine). get one from the board for cheaps. just find out which color one you need (tape on it under then armrest.

10-31-2009, 12:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sh0ty Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 368 Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Seized Transmission Linkage Hey, whilst driving on the highway today, I tried shifting into first (gridlock, wanted to merge into next lane) and the transmission wouldn't slot in. After a little wrestling, I got it in second and then couldn't shift out of it (if I moved my shift lever into N or 1, I'd still get 2 and I couldn't move it to 3,4,5,R). I limped the car home and had a look at my linkage. I recently replaced my shift bushings with steel ABEC bearings like another member did in the mr2 wiki. The bearing seems to be showing excessive play after a couple weeks and leads me to my question: Is it possible that excess play in these bearings (bushings) would cause the cables to pull at too much of an angle and bind the tranny arms? I can move them smoothly by hand.

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10-31-2009, 12:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ku-sama Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 1,462 Thanks: 8 Thanked 31 Times in 31 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	check to see if the clips to the cables came undone, it can happen

10-31-2009, 03:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
Medusa Cage Fighter Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 623 Thanks: 9 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	It certainly sounds that way, I'd do a double check on your installation just to be sure everything is re-assembled properly.

11-01-2009, 12:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sh0ty Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 368 Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	The clips are there. I'm going to replace the bearings tomorrow and make sure everything is firm down there. If I determine that it was the bearing, I'll give them another shot, and secondary failure will require solid brass (or if I can manufacture steel, that'd be ideal) replacements.

11-01-2009, 01:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
MidnyteRunner Newbie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Garland TX Posts: 138 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	my MR2 is doing the same thing. my clutch feels really heavy after driving in 5th gear and then it wont clutch in and let me move my shifter. i need to know where to start to fix this

11-03-2009, 04:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sh0ty Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 368 Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Turns out the linkage isn't seized, one of my shift cables broke. Should I go for used or new? Also, what kind of time investment am I looking at for the actual installation?

11-03-2009, 04:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ku-sama Cage Fighter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 1,462 Thanks: 8 Thanked 31 Times in 31 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	used, and about 5-10 minutes. I broke mine twice (I rewelded mine). get one from the board for cheaps. just find out which color one you need (tape on it under then armrest.