# Loose Shift Linkage **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [November 11, 2006, 6:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034 "2006-11-11T06:47:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EMX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ea924/32.png) [@EMX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EMX)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 6:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/1 "2006-11-11T06:47:59Z")
I just bought a 96 Civic LX 4door and the shift linkage is realy loose. You know how it feels when you are not in gear? you can move the shifter all around, I can do that in gear as well. What is wrong and how do i fix it? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 6:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/2 "2006-11-11T06:50:06Z")
Sounds fine, if it was a '71 240z. Did you check the bushings? ---
**Author:** ![zero\_assault](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/dfb087/32.png) [@zero\_assault](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zero_assault)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 6:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/3 "2006-11-11T06:59:42Z")
There was another thread about this, and I’ll say it again I bought a short shifter off ebay for my winter beast that had the same problem, and it fixed it. It cost me about 20 bucks. ---
**Author:** ![EMX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ea924/32.png) [@EMX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EMX)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 7:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/4 "2006-11-11T07:00:36Z")
just got the car yesterday havent even jacked it up yet, also the kid said he just had the clutch replaced, i think maybe he forgot to put the spring back. i gota get under there and see, i was just wondering if anyone knew for certin what it was so i didnt have to waste my time searching for the prob. Ill try to get under there tomarrow. ---
**Author:** ![EMX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ea924/32.png) [@EMX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EMX)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 7:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/5 "2006-11-11T07:01:45Z")
> [@zero assault](#): > > There was another thread about this, and I’ll say it again > > I bought a short shifter off ebay for my winter beast that had the same problem, and it fixed it. It cost me about 20 bucks. How did this fix it? I dont wana a short shifter I just wana fix the prob. ---
**Author:** ![zero\_assault](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/dfb087/32.png) [@zero\_assault](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zero_assault)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 7:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/6 "2006-11-11T07:06:08Z")
Honestly, I didnt understand how it did, but somehow it worked I didnt touch the bushings or anything, just threw in the shifter It might just be that bolt is loose? ---
**Author:** ![EMX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ea924/32.png) [@EMX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EMX)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 7:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/7 "2006-11-11T07:08:14Z")
did you just do a cheepy ebay one like this: [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SMOKED-JDM-KNOB-SHORT-SHIFTER-CIVIC-96-97-98-99-00\_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33736QQihZ016QQitemZ260050131683QQrdZ1](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SMOKED-JDM-KNOB-SHORT-SHIFTER-CIVIC-96-97-98-99-00_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33736QQihZ016QQitemZ260050131683QQrdZ1) ---
**Author:** ![fairgentleman\_Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fairgentleman_z/32/7263_2.png) [@fairgentleman\_Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fairgentleman_Z)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 7:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/8 "2006-11-11T07:20:23Z")
I think the “ball” part is a plastic on some cars. Over time the “ball” wears out… or I could be talking out my ass… ---
**Author:** ![Estorvito](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/estorvito/32/7234_2.png) [@Estorvito](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Estorvito)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 9:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/9 "2006-11-11T09:05:29Z")
> [@EMX](#): > > did you just do a cheepy ebay one like this: > [http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SMOKED-JDM-KNOB-SHORT-SHIFTER-CIVIC-96-97-98-99-00\_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33736QQihZ016QQitemZ260050131683QQrdZ1](http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SMOKED-JDM-KNOB-SHORT-SHIFTER-CIVIC-96-97-98-99-00_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33736QQihZ016QQitemZ260050131683QQrdZ1) Buy that shifter and that should take care of your problem. I had the sameproblem with my civic, and i went and replaced it with one from egay, and wuallaaaaaa…Problem solved. Its an easy fix. all you need is a 10mm socket and wrench. Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![layzie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/layzie/32/7599_2.png) [@layzie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/layzie)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 9:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/loose-shift-linkage/20034/10 "2006-11-11T09:28:18Z")
lol at zero “i dont understand it” comment, it fixed it because the new shifter is tighter because of the bearings instead of a bolt and bushing. replace the bushing stablizers and shifter or tighten the bolt and you should be fine. the stock shifters wear out after time and become loose with play. and the bushings dry rot allowing the stabalizer to have play.