for a while now i've had the shifter rattle in my 97 obw. it stops if you put pressure on the shift lever, and usually happens in gears 3 & up. i searched and found the old post with the endwrench article which recommends replacing a bolt on shift linkage where it attaches to the tranny. i ordered the bolt and just replaced it (in a fun place!), but it didn't really help. has anybody had any luck in tracking this down?

 

i'm kinda sitting on the fence, because i've been eyeing the short throw kit for a while now. anybody have any experience with these (the subaru one)? does it give you a more notchy, positive feel?

 

thanks for any info...

#1 - Check your shift linkage for sloppiness. if it is rattling, you may have a loose bolt somewhere futher up the linkage, rather than just near the tranny. Also make sure the bushings on the linkage are not worn out.

 

#2 - I have a 91 Legacy, so I cannot seem to find a short-throw kit for it, but I have heard that the short-throw gives the shift a more precise, sportier feel. I would love to install one, but I don't know if a 95+ kit would work in a 1st gen legacy. Anyway, hope all this helps.

 

ScoobySchmitty

I have a 95 Legacy doing the same in 4th and 5th...very annoying....come on out there!!!!!!!!!...no one knows the answer to this one?????????lol

ScoobySchmitty - thanks for the tips. i tried greasing and tightening everything the other day, but it still rattles, even with the new bolt that was in the endwrench article. the only thing i haven't done is to rebuild the bottom portion, because that involves replacing a bunch of o-rings...

 

at this point i think i am going to just upgrade to the short throw kit, once i get the $$.

theotherskip:

howmuch does it cost?

is it easy to install?

where can it be purchased

thx

bgam

bgambino - the short throw kit i have seen at one of the dealers i go to is $200, i think. i believe it fits a whole bunch of legacies/imprezas/foresters. though i haven't installed one, it isn't too difficult, but most of the linkage is behind the exhaust heat shield, so it can be a bit of a pain to get to. any dealer should be able to get it.

 

you can also search google, i know a few of the tuner places had some, but their prices were higher....

My 1996 5spd Legacy has the same rattle problem. The sound seems to be coming from the first link below the shift knob, so that is what I am going to try to replace first.

 

The bushings and spacers only cost a couple of bucks. The rattle started about 8 months ago, only in 2nd and 3rd gears, and went away if I would push, pull, or twist the shift lever (gently). Over time, the rattle has moved to the other gear positions, and I am really annoyed by the constant rattle!!

 

By the way, a mechanic I went to said he was going to replace all the bushings, etc, and that the parts would br around $69 and with labor probably a total of $150.

 

I hope I can fix it myself without too much hassle.

I think the rattle is peculiar is to US bulit Legacies. In case anyone cares?

 

Why do you'all wanna shorten the shift? Is the US shift longer than the Euro? My Legacy has nicely judged gear shift length. Whenever I drive anyone else's car (none Subes) I always feel like the stick has to swing from bumper to bumper, kinda like pole-vaulting.

 

The I get back into "Scoobes", and find a quick wrist movement is all that's needed. Ahhhh!

 

 

DONT FORGET: Leverage will be lost on the short-throw kit, and Sube synchros being as weak as they are, I think the shift will become unbearably heavy.

i don't know for sure if the throw is different, but from your description, i would imagine it is. it seems pretty far and it is very sloppy. from what i have heard, the short throw kit decreases travels and gives it a more notchy feeling... but i still haven't done it. i've been sitting on the fence of dumping my car for a tdi from vw...

Don't do it man!

 

Do not buy a VW. If you do, look out for these factory-fit defects:

 

Faulty wiring harness, tendency to burst bulbs. Especially the rear light clusters. And that means brake lights!

 

Dragging rear caliper/discs.

 

Brake pads that fail in winter salt.

 

Weak clutch joint on the pedal, clutch will not disengage. Have it welded up as soon as you buy the car. Tdi's and 1.8T's are notorius. Can wreck the piston in the clutch cylinder.

 

Weak battery, leading to radio/CD failure and finally locking you out of the car!

 

Squeaky front struts.

 

If you get all the goodies: Look out for an autonomous electric window controller...tendency to open all the windows, at unexpected times.

 

Squeaky seat rails. Rattling chrome handbrake release. And an assortment of other cabin rattles that would be acceptable in a car above 10 years of age.

 

 

No car is perfect, Sube included, but at the prices these Germans demand, there is no excuse. The above is compiled from a host of Magazine articles and five VW/Audi owners that are friends of mine. They are starting to loose faith.