Loose Shifter Problem 86 5kCSTQ

[EICHSTEV@aol.com]

Has anyone out there replaced shifter bushings etc. on a 5K?  My shifter has
developed a great deal of play over the last 220k miles.  The arm w/ ball on
the trans. selector shaft has been replaced along w/ the socket on the shift
rod about 30k ago. (That hardened ball peened into a cast piece seems like a
bad design to me.)   This fixed some of the problem.  This is still tight as
is the trans internals.

I paid a visit to my local dealer yesterday and they were no help.  Haven't
sold any shifter parts in the last year and one mechanic told me it was
normal. When I first bought the car the shifter was great, now I have 1" of
movement in the shifter in all directions when in gear.  First and second
gear are also very hard to engage, no surprise there I guess.  Adjustments
don't seem to help.  There doesn't seem to be any one place in the linkage
that is very loose.  Guess it's just wearing out.

Any suggestions?

Steve
86 5kCSQ
84 VW GTI
79 Triumph Spitfire