Shifter is obnoxiously sloppy

[Takumidesh]

I just picked up a 2013 fr-s with 56k miles on it. from what I can see the only things done to it are a spec-D catback, Grimm speed strut tower brace, and a K&N drop in, but I haven't gotten a chance to study too deep into it to see if there are some other hidden things the PO did to the car.

The issue I have been having is that there is an obnoxious amount of slack in the shifter, while in third and fourth there is about 4 inches of play. It is not so bad in 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th but it is still pretty loose. There is also some notchiness specifically in 5th and 6th.

I am coming from driving a wrangler for the past two years so I know some of it can be attributed to me just getting the feel for a car with a shorter shift pattern, but it does seem a bit excessive.

I was just wondering if anyone could share their experience on the level of wear they had at around that mileage and if it's normal. I plan on doing the Perrin bushing install, but I am worried that there may be a deeper problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Ultramaroon]

I'll guess that the PO installed the TRD short shift adapter and it came loose. If correct, just remove it. That POS will give you cancer.

[swarb]

Originally Posted by Takumidesh

I just picked up a 2013 fr-s with 56k miles on it. from what I can see the only things done to it are a spec-D catback, Grimm speed strut tower brace, and a K&N drop in, but I haven't gotten a chance to study too deep into it to see if there are some other hidden things the PO did to the car.

The issue I have been having is that there is an obnoxious amount of slack in the shifter, while in third and fourth there is about 4 inches of play. It is not so bad in 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th but it is still pretty loose. There is also some notchiness specifically in 5th and 6th.

I am coming from driving a wrangler for the past two years so I know some of it can be attributed to me just getting the feel for a car with a shorter shift pattern, but it does seem a bit excessive.

I was just wondering if anyone could share their experience on the level of wear they had at around that mileage and if it's normal. I plan on doing the Perrin bushing install, but I am worried that there may be a deeper problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

not normal. needs to be fixed. play should be about 1/2inch side to side.

[Takumidesh]

Thanks for the fast response, I am definitely going to investigate that tomorrow. If this ends up being the culprit do you have any suggestions on a quality alternate? I like the distance the shifter has now, but I can hardly cope with the play.

[Ultramaroon]

If you really want the short throw then get a kartboy. Or for much more money, the STI.

I suggest just removing the adapter and trying the stock throw for a while. It's really nice.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

..........

I suggest just removing the adapter and trying the stock throw for a while. It's really nice.

There ya go, @Takumidesh ..........

BTW ....... WELCOME to .......The Forum .....


humfrz

[Takumidesh]

Originally Posted by humfrz

There ya go, @Takumidesh ..........

BTW ....... WELCOME to .......The Forum .....


humfrz

Thanks! I will definitely do this tomorrow before work and test it out for a few days.

[stevesnj]

As discussed before the TRD shifter is a great product when installed correctly, most people that install it do it incorrectly. I have had mine on for almost 2 years with no loosening whatsoever. If it is on there just take the bolt out, apply high strength threadlocker and reinstall and torque to spec. using the ball hex socket. Save yourself some $$. Don't go by one opinion on here. Many have had no issues with the TRD short shifter.

[dhuang]

This is mine... supposedly this is the normal amount of play. ~63k miles.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhT-GK8j04"]Scion FR-S Stock Shifter Play - YouTube[/ame]

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Takumidesh

Thanks! I will definitely do this tomorrow before work and test it out for a few days.

Now that I remember, the main tell is if you can rotate the shift lever at all. If you cannot rotate it, then my guess was wrong.
@stevesnj and I go back and forth on this product but I have no desire to defend my ability to install a simple device nor do I wish to rehash a long-winded discussion on manufacturing tolerances and how this product neglects the original specifications of the OEM gearshift levers.

Steve, you got luckier than others. You have a sample population of one. I'm honestly glad it worked out for you. It's a shitty design.

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Now that I remember, the main tell is if you can rotate the shift lever at all. If you cannot rotate it, then my guess was wrong.
@stevesnj and I go back and forth on this product but I have no desire to defend my ability to install a simple device nor do I wish to rehash a long-winded discussion on manufacturing tolerances and how this product neglects the original specifications of the OEM gearshift levers.

Steve, you got luckier than others. You have a sample population of one. I'm honestly glad it worked out for you. It's a shitty design.

So everyone else besides me has had a failure on this part? 89% polled here had no issues

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114885

[Takumidesh]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Now that I remember, the main tell is if you can rotate the shift lever at all. If you cannot rotate it, then my guess was wrong.
@stevesnj and I go back and forth on this product but I have no desire to defend my ability to install a simple device nor do I wish to rehash a long-winded discussion on manufacturing tolerances and how this product neglects the original specifications of the OEM gearshift levers.

Steve, you got luckier than others. You have a sample population of one. I'm honestly glad it worked out for you. It's a shitty design.

Yea it rotates, at first I thought it was the knob was loose, but after taking the knob off and inspecting it is definitely the whole deal that is spinning. this is good news as I should be able to fix it relatively simply. Thanks

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

So everyone else besides me has had a failure on this part? 89% polled here had no issues

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114885

89% is not everyone. Would you buy any product if it had a 10% chance of failure?

edit: oops, I forgot about that poll.

[stevesnj]