I need to draw on the wisdom of the forum here. I've searched threads and can't find anything relevant.
1990 L98 with six speed manual. The black plastic ring you pull up on to allow shifting into reverse is way too low I believe. It's a pain to pull up and I actually have to use two hands and even when I'm in reverse I have to REALLY pull back hard on the stick to keep it in gear so I sound like a idiot when it pops out of reverse about half the time when I'm backing up.
I suspect I don't have something adjusted properly on the stick. I've included pictures of a stock one and two of mine.

So I pulled the center console while I was doing a stereo install and remove the **** and upper boot completely. I notice that the copper rod has a horizontal slot in it and I "BELIEVE" that the tiny little hex head threaded rod that tightens down to allow the black plastic ring to pull it up and allow the stick into reverse is supposed to drop into that horizontal slot.

I tried tightening the little hex threaded rod up higher on the rod (not in the horizontal slot) but it just slips. If I tighten it more it just starts stripping out the plastic hole it rides in.

I really don't believe that the lower boot has ever been removed. It's in perfect condition and the "elephant snot" black glue is still strongly in place. I was orginally going to pull up the lower boot and lube the lower stick hoping it would making pulling the ring up easier when shifting into reverse but I couldn't get the lower boot loose and didn't want to mess with it without asking some questions first. I lubed the top of the stick with the copper rod out and it helped a little but it's still way harder than it should be.

The car was this way when I bought it two months ago, it's not something I did when installing the stereo. I'd like to get it fixed correctly.

What am I doing wrong here? Any help appreciated. Pics below.


Here's a picture of the standard stick off another car with about an inch between the bottom of the leather **** and the plastic ring. Normal and my goal.


Here's mine:

Here's it with a ruler:

 

Looks like a newer shift plate, did you install it? If so, the shift **** would have had to come off. I wonder if it is all the way down on the shaft with the "T" lock fully seated? Otherwise, transmission not installed correctly, shifter bent/broken, when I read your topic, my first thought was leaking/low clutch slave cylinder fluid which causes car to not want to go into reverse. From looks, that doesn't appear to be the problem, but have you checked the clutch slave cylinder fluid level? After that, I would remove the console and shift **** and boot and go from there,.

 

It does look low. For one, on my car the leather shift boot collar doesn’t go up an over the lift ring (at least I don’t think off memory). If your car pops out of reverse after it’s been engaged and your are moving then you have an internal issue in the trans.

 

I also wonder ,after looking at it again, if the pull up ring is oriented and indexed correctly?

 

Thanks for the info guys.

I'll start with checking the slave cylinder fluid level.
I replaced the **** with a new one but it's screwed all the way down and the metal "T" fitting is driven in flush. The gap between the boot and the **** stayed the same prior to the **** being installed.
My shifter plate I strongly believe is OEM. The car has 75k original on it and there is wear on it consistent with that mileage.

Will advise. Thanks for looking.

 

Mine was also stiff when I bought my 89. I was replacing the leather shift boot and while in there, pulled the rubber boot, lubed up everything and reinstalled. The pull up **** operates as new. Are you overthinking it?

 

pull the reverse lockout ring up out of the ring at top of boot.

 

My next job will be to pull that lower boot. At the time I was looking at it I was doing a stereo install and didn't have time to get into the shifter. I'll take it on as a project soon and lube all that up.

 

Could you explain a little more? Sounds like you're answering just what I need but I'm not understanding. Thank you.

 

shield,

my Z’s zf6 does the same thing as yours.

the leather boot has a ring at the top of it. i dont know if it gets a smidge smaller with heat or something but the reverse lockout ring that u pull up on gets wedged into the trim ring at the top of the boot. its not supposed to be.

pull the boot downwards and get the reverse lockout ring out of the leathers trim ring.

i applied a very small amount of wax on just the base of my lockout ring and now it no longer friction locks itself inside the boots leather ring.

the reason this creates a tough pull situation is because u r trying to pull the leather boot up and also the leather trim ring takes up space where your fingers would normally get its “purchase”.

 

Okay got it! That makes perfect sense. I'm pretty sure it's the OEM boot on the car. I actually have a new upper boot for it. Guess it's time to swap them. I'll wax that ring as you mentioned and report back.

Thank you!

 

thinking about it further, its quite possible that infact they ARE suppost to friction fit into each other, but the boot itself shrunk. making pulling up very difficult as it has shrunk.

i bet that is more accurate.


either way, separate the two rings, pull up and see if its easier.