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Sloppy shifter linkage

Discussion in 'Mitsubishi Minicab' started by Wes, Jan 26, 2025.

  1. Wes

    Wes New Member

    Looking for some advice on the shifter linkage before I get deeper into this than I need too...

    1987-ish Minicab (U15t), 4-spd.

    It's got a lot of miles, so not too surprising that the shifter linkage is a little sloppy, but I noticed the other day that it's quite a bit sloppy... I often jiggle the shifter lever side to side to ensure that I'm in neutral, but I did it the other day while still in gear, and I got just as much side motion while in second gear as I do in neutral.

    My leading theory of the source of this is where the shifter passes through the firewall. According to the parts diagram, there's a ball on the shaft (labeled 24599 in the first diagram below) that fits into a "socket" (2-piece stamped steel) that is bolted to the firewall to hold it rigid. There's a fair amount of motion between the stamped steel pieces and the ball inside. How much slop or motion should there be there? The "ball" is a replaceable part that is supposedly available in Japan (the stamped "socket" pieces are not), so I want to be sure this is a likely source of the problem before I tear open the socket and risk damage.

    Thoughts on this? Have others replaced this ball, and if so, is it relatively easy process? Or any other thoughts on where typical linkage wear might be?
    Diagram.jpg IMG_8341_2.JPG IMG_8338_2.JPG

    Thanks,
    Wes
     
  2. Wes

    Wes New Member

    Replying to my own message to potentially help out others in the future...

    I was able to find a replacement ball that fits on the shaft in this ball-and-socket joint (item 24599 in the parts diagram above). Couldn't find one in Japan, but after calling around, I found that G&R Imports in Missouri had them. The ball is plastic, and once I had the replacement part, I opened the original socket housing (bottom picture above) to find that the original ball had totally disintegrated, and was nothing but dust. I cleaned up the rust inside the housing, polished it with a bit of ScotchBrite, applied some lithium grease and reassembled the whole thing with the new ball. I haven't had it on the road yet, but sitting in my garage, it's like a brand new transmission... you can actually find third gear now!

    Wes
     
    BigMW likes this.

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