Difficulty pushing shifter left of "the H" for 1st gear and Reverse

1986.5 Porsche 928 5-speed with 150k miles

Hi, putting the shifter left of "the H" to reach 1st gear and Reverse requires a fairly strong push to the left. Once I'm there, getting into 1st or Reverse is easy and the transmission itself seems fine.

I'm going to start by replacing all the bushings (ball cup, shift lever and rear coupling), but I suspect that the issue may be in the transaxle. Something preventing the shift finger that's fixed to the main inner shift rod from easily engaging with the 1st/Reverse gear shift rod/fork.

Does anyone have any experience with an issue like this? (Not bushings, but deeper issues getting the shift finger to engage with shift rod/fork.)

Diagram labels:
(1) Main inner shift rod
(4) Shift finger
(10) Gear shift rod for 1st/Reverse

The actual resistance for the shift rod is provided by a spring in the transaxle. Checking the ball socket to the front and rear shifter linkage coupler doesn't fix your problem you may need to open the transmission (access from the top) to see if there is a restriction at the spring.

By design, the lever requires a pretty firm push to the left to get to the R-1 slot, as you don't want to hit reverse after winding out in first. There should also be a moderate push required to get to the 4-5 slot, but not as much as R-1.

The spring that provides the R-1 resistance is prone to breakage, so many cars have little resistance - but that is not desirable.

Wally Plumley
928 Specialists
www.928gt.com

It is also possible that the 'bushing' in the coupler at the transmission (connects transmission input rod to the tube coming back from your shifter) is worn, and allowing enough slop that tube can't twist the input rod enough to engage. If you can get under the car, it's at the very top front of your transmission. Allen bolt hold it firm to the transmission, and a clamp on the tube holds it there. Roger Tyson sells great polyurethane replacements.

Gary Knox
928 OC charter member and current Treasurer
West Chester, PA
USA