For those of you who have the RS-Type short shifter, it is a nice inexpensive mod.

The problem that I found is, they are on the sloppy side. Meaning the shaft flops around pretty easily even when in gear. I read a few people have had this problem with this item and started to look harder at the original.

I found 2 problems.
1) The assemble lacks ample grease at the ball areas.
2) One of the shift ball joint (actual turn I don’t know) is a bit larger then the actual ball. See picture below:


What I ended up doing was removing the clip from the OEM assembly and using the outer linkage. Doing this made a tighter connection at the outer linkage and ball connector. Also grease up the outer ball and the main ball. That will help reduce the metal on plastic slapping sound.

OEM clip


OEM/RS-Type shift combo:


Cheers!

 

I was thinking of geting one of those,Does it put the shifter *** in the original position or does it lay back some?

Scott

 

I don't recall. Maybe a little back but still close to the original???

 

could ya mod it without having to use the stock shifters piece ? well the stock pieces white plastic part. cuz i no longer have a stock shifter.

 

X-cellent! I have this shifter and really appreciate this tidbit, in the garage tonite with this invaluable SCIONLIFE info! Many thanks

 

No because the joint itself is too large which is what is causig the slop. Unless you can order just that part from the dealer. Or someone who has a wrecked xB.

 

Curious how what you think after?

 

which joint is too large? the one that is at the front or the one at the rear ?

 

Using the picture above, the screw driver is pointing at the rear joint.

The front one is where the big bolt goes through adn is held in place with the lockwasher looking thing.

 

eggie

so did the mod remove the slop in the shift? just asking, cause i'm thinking of buying this shift kit, but will decide against it unless the slop can be removed

 

the problem isnt that part but the mold that holds the shift "ball" or center joint is sloppy.

 

the pictures don't work anymore..

 

It does. It's snug. You still have the regular play, but even that is reduced.

Sorry about the pictures. I was cleaning out my ftp and deleted some *cough* items...

 

i'm a noob... what grease did you use? something special needed for the assembly?

 

I throw it out, but I have to go to Kragens today to buy some oil so I'll see if I can find the name.

I'm sure any type of grease would be fine. I used this clear goopy stuff. <- Like that helps you... I can see you at the parts counter now, "Hi, can I have some clear goopy grease please?"

 

to the dj on the radio, "can you play that song, you know.... that one... ?"

 

yea, the pictures work now. thanks! i asked because i may be doing this soon.

 

pls let us know how it goes!

 

performed this mod recently and have some notes to share. The removal of the stock assembly is made difficult by the clip holding it together,it is destroyed during removal,the clip on the RS assembly comes off without much problem and can be re-used. I used Bel-Ray waterproff grease during re-assembly. This is the stuff sold at motorcycle shops for those of us with a penchant for 2 wheels. After the putting all back together I noticed an improvement over the unmodded RS unit. Much of the slop is gone, my girlfriend has the TRD shifter and I would compare these two as being equal at this point. My cost was about $100 less than hers however, but then again I'm a DIY type of fellow. I would also reccommend replacing the rubber bushings at the cable ends with sealed bearing units for real performance. Working on my rear spoiler install now, gotta go!

 

Glad it worked for you as well. It is nice to have a confirmation.

BTW, the bushings he is referring too are under the hood at the transmission linkage. Finding the bearing kit is a hit or miss. So far has been a miss for me.