Oh I just picked up '91 Loyale, 134K,  Needs work yep but a fair price.   One thing I haven't messed with before is the shift linkage, this one seems to have alot of play and movement in the "H" pattern, all gears are there but you can swing that shifter around in any gear like it is in the "Netrua" gate.  Is there any normal springs/bushings that get broken, lost on the GL/Loyales?  Thanks

 

Same here!

 

John

IIRC, General Disorder posted a fix for the EA82 shifter. Replacement of the shifter pivot & bushings/pins with bolts or something like that.

Not the same linkage but similar principles apply. Shortens the throw by lengthening the shaft below the shifter pivot. You could do likewise.

 

http://www.indysworld.com/80s/general/USRM/mick-usrm/ea81-shifter-fix/EA81ShifterFix.html

 

And here's GDs fix:

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/84045-new-fix-for-4-speed-shifter-slop/

Edited May 3, 201411 yr by czny

The links are for EA81's. Different issue.

The links are for EA81's. Different issue.

Yes, however these might be helpful insight.

There is a spring on the lower part of the shifter. I've lost said spring a couple times, makes the shifter way wobbly.

I took the boot of inside, but every thing looked tight there. Problem must be further upstream by the transmission. When I get the car up on ramps to diagnose the 4WD issue, hopefully it will be apparent then. 

 

John

Thanks for the replies, I am in research mode here, big plan today is transfer the title. Most likely will get the wagon in the garage in few months to pull engine and new head gaskets. 

There's essentially a universal joint in the shift linkage where it attaches to the shift rod going into the transmission. It has plastic bushings inside it, and any wear in them makes for a lot of slop at the shift knob.

 

Here's a good thread showing the same problem on a legacy, which uses essentially the same linkage: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/109623-shifter-linkage-replacement/

 

I made solid bushings out of aluminum pipe I had laying around for one of my cars. Greased it up and it worked fine. You should still be able to get the plastic ones from subaru.