$.68 Lower Shifter Box Upgrade
08-02-2014, 08:15 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
$.68 Lower Shifter Box Upgrade
I have found that ever since owning my 2007 that the shifter has been a little sloppy. I upgraded to an MGW shifter which made a big difference. When I did this, I also replaced the blown shifter bushings that mount between the shifter and the torque tube. But, I found that my lower box was worn where the output shaft rides in the box. I tore this apart and found that the shaft rides in a thin plastic bushing that is supported by an O-Ring.
Because this bushing is not replaceable I planned to buy a new lower box. But, before I did that, I thought I would see if I could fab something. I went to the local hardware store with no idea what I was there for. I looked at the brass and nylon bushings, and came across a nylon bushing that has a 1/2" Id that matched the shaft. The OD is 3/4" which fits the box. The width is 3/8", which is about 3 times the width of the original.
I removed the original bushing and dust cover and then pressed in (tapped in with hammer)the nylon bushing. Once pressed in the ID was compressed just enough that the shaft did not move easily enough. So, I used a 1/2" drill bit to open up the ID just enough. Once I did this, the shaft is still a snug fit, but moves easily.
After re-installing, I found there is no longer any side to side movement by the shaft. Shifting is easier and more precise.
I have just installed this, so no long term results yet. But, for the money I am very pleased.
Because this bushing is not replaceable I planned to buy a new lower box. But, before I did that, I thought I would see if I could fab something. I went to the local hardware store with no idea what I was there for. I looked at the brass and nylon bushings, and came across a nylon bushing that has a 1/2" Id that matched the shaft. The OD is 3/4" which fits the box. The width is 3/8", which is about 3 times the width of the original.
I removed the original bushing and dust cover and then pressed in (tapped in with hammer)the nylon bushing. Once pressed in the ID was compressed just enough that the shaft did not move easily enough. So, I used a 1/2" drill bit to open up the ID just enough. Once I did this, the shaft is still a snug fit, but moves easily.
After re-installing, I found there is no longer any side to side movement by the shaft. Shifting is easier and more precise.
I have just installed this, so no long term results yet. But, for the money I am very pleased.
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rc51racer (03-11-2021)
08-03-2014, 12:20 AM
#3
Do you still have the packages the parts came in?
Many tanks for the post.
Many tanks for the post.
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puterami (01-29-2020)
08-03-2014, 05:26 AM
#5
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Very nice find and the pics are excellent (you must have a good camera). 
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Last 1 (10-28-2019)
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mikeCsix (10-24-2019)
08-04-2014, 03:32 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks Doug! between the Mantic I got from you, the MGW, and this, the car is shifting better that ever and like it is supposed to. I can't speak for the MGW lower, but I don't think a brand new stock box would be as good as this cheap upgrade. I can really feel what gear I'm in now instead of blindly forcing left or right.
01-28-2020, 08:03 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Just got done! Used a countersink to remove the factory stake marks, glued in place with 3m trim adhesive and a generous amount of lithium grease. Very tight fit.
Feels much better, need to wait a few months for the snow and salt to go away. BTW, the o-ring / teflon assembly is .130", this is .375"
Locally, I found it at Menards.
Thx for the tip!
Feels much better, need to wait a few months for the snow and salt to go away. BTW, the o-ring / teflon assembly is .130", this is .375"
Locally, I found it at Menards.
Thx for the tip!
Last edited by rudutch; 01-28-2020 at 08:03 PM.
01-28-2020, 08:15 PM
#14
Safety Car
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2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
If you purchase the lower box , which I think now comes with the new shifter from MGW, they have a much more robust bushing arrangement. The MGW bushings are about an inch long so you have great support for the lower shaft .
