RE: 5ktq Shift Linkage

[FMARTIN <fmartin@ithaca.edu>]

>Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 12:41:13 -0400 (EDT)
>From: MSV96@aol.com
>Subject: 5ktq Shift Linkage
>
>I'll try this one more time ;-) Anyone else out there have any good words of
>advice on shift linkage adjustments on an '87 5kcstq before I dive under it
>this weekend? The entire shift pattern is up and to the left...with neutral
>being about where first normaly should be. The car shifts fine but first is
>so far up and to the left that the shifter boot won't stay mounted. Anyone
>BTDT for this problem before? Motor mounts and tranny mounts *seem* okay but
>I will test the right side motor mount and Scott Mockry has described. TIA
>
>Mike Veglia
>------------------------------

Sorry if this has been answered, but here are my couple cents:

I had a problem develop with my 100Q where 1st and 2nd gears seemed almost 
unreachable - one had to really horse the gear lever toward the left to get 
them selected. Once I got tired enough of this, I uncovered the assembly by 
removing the linkage and "box" (sorry, I don't recall the names of the pieces 
at the moment) covers/boot, and then, after playing with the linkage, removed 
the box/gear lever assembly. I found that the assembly that holds/retains the 
ball on the shift lever had worn such that it allowed the gearshift lever to 
drop down about 3/8". This of course threw it out of the proper planes of 
movement. You can check if this is your problem by simply pulling up on the 
lever assembly while selecting 1st and second, and see how much play there is, 
and if it makes selection easier. 

The fix would be either a new assembly (not sure how far this breaks down, or 
costs), or a good used one.  Me being the cheap corner-cutter I am, though, 
found I could work a temporary fix by forming a couple small wedges out of a 
piece of cedar roofing shingle and wedging them in just right that they raised 
the collar that supports the ball to the original position. This was about 9 
months ago, and has worked fine since. (Unfortuately) Some of my temporary 
fixes last the life of the car. (And being cedar, won't have to worry about 
rot!)

Hope you have your problem sorted out, or this helps to do so. 

Frank M.
'89 100Q
'88 Mazda 323 GTX