Difficult to Install?

Black Sun 5.0 · Aug 17, 2005

I just ordered a new MGW shifter, I snapped the old stocker over the weekend. I had to drop my car off at the shop today for other reasons, and unfortunately the shifter did not arrive in time to make it to the shop. I'm thinking of doing the install myself. Is it difficult to do the install? Also, how long does it generally take? My schedule for the next few weeks is sorta crazy, yet I don't feel like paying for something else that I can probably do myself.

tunedin302 · Aug 17, 2005

Shouldn't take you more than 1 hour even with little mechanical ability. You'll want to use some permatex between the trans and the new shifter to get a good seal. Also, you will need to adjust the stops on the new shifter (not a big deal but often forgotten). Make sure you put a good gob of high temp grease in the pivot cup of the trans (where the shifter goes) and you should be all set. Good luck.

notchback · Aug 17, 2005

an hour tops...the hardest part if the shifter has never been out are the 2 dust cover bolts at the top. i never even put those back in.

10mm (?) wrench a 1/4 turn at a time

after those it's nothing.....just like he said on the install.

if your up to it...it's a good time to drain the tranny oil and replace w/ synthetic. you can fill it from the top w/ the shifter out...makes it real ez.

darthcual · Aug 17, 2005

notchback said:
an hour tops...the hardest part if the shifter has never been out are the 2 dust cover bolts at the top. i never even put those back in.

10mm (?) wrench a 1/4 turn at a time

after those it's nothing.....just like he said on the install.

if your up to it...it's a good time to drain the tranny oil and replace w/ synthetic. you can fill it from the top w/ the shifter out...makes it real ez.

Yes, just be sure not to over fill. After draining leave the top plug out and fill (about 2 1/2 quarts) untill it pours out the top plug then ur all set.

89CopCoupe · Aug 17, 2005

It will take you up to a couple of hours ...
I prefer doing things right, rather than right now.

Removing the center console will save you a chunk of time, as the two forward screws that hold the lower boot on are way too time consuming otherwise.

Discard the rubber grommet they give you ... it won't fit on the handle and the lower boot as the instructions state.

Once you get it in though =
Best shifter I've ever had ...
No matter how big of a pita you think the install is, take your time, think through it, and enjoy

THC420 · Aug 17, 2005

dont remove the console. just go out and buy a set of ratchet wrenches, you shold have a set of these anyways, they come in so handy. taking the console out is a pita and takes 5x's as much time even if u did use a regular wrench doing 1/8th of a turn at a time.

89CopCoupe · Aug 17, 2005

Okay "smokey"

No Really ... take out the console it will save time

Sicarius428 · Aug 17, 2005

Adjusting it to where you want it will take the longest time. When I did mine, I left the consol in just to try out some new ratcheting wrenches... Still not sure if it took longer but it was a great excuse... other than that installing was a breeze. It shouldn't take more than an hour from start to finish.
Kevin

tunedin302 · Aug 17, 2005

THC420 said:
dont remove the console. just go out and buy a set of ratchet wrenches, you shold have a set of these anyways, they come in so handy.

I agree ... leave the console in unless you have nothing else to do with your time

89CopCoupe · Aug 18, 2005

tunedin302 said:
I agree ... leave the console in unless you have nothing else to do with your time

I double dog dare disagree ...
Hey, maybe take it to a shop if you need "can I do it" advice on this easy one ...
((cop wipes along his moistened lips with his forearm after taking another healthy swig from his bottle of 'shine'))

tunedin302 · Aug 18, 2005

89CopCoupe said:
I double dog dare disagree ...
Hey, maybe take it to a shop if you need "can I do it" advice on this easy one ...
((cop wipes along his moistened lips with his forearm after taking another healthy swig from his bottle of 'shine'))

I think you drank too much shine copper! try to take the bolts out first and if you "can't" for some reason, like both of your hands are broken, then take out the console. 89CopCoupe's head is clouded since he just got his stolen car back ... j/k. BTW - Congrats on the recovery 89

Black Sun 5.0 · Aug 18, 2005

89CopCoup,

I only asked before I started a project that I may not be able to complete. I've never done it before. How do I know I don't have to do something special, like drop the tranny or something like that? It's good to have folks like yourself around here to encourage fututre do-it-yourselfers.

QDRHRSE · Aug 18, 2005

Black Sun-

It's a really easy job. Probably no point in taking the console out. Somebody who has done it before a couple times could probably knock it out in half an hour. The hardest part is getting to a couple of the forward bolts on the rubber insulator. It will probably take you 2-3 hours becuase you do not know what to expect but I promise you its a total piece of cake. Take your time. It's such an easy job that you could probaly do it while commuting to work in traffic....most of it at least.

tunedin302 · Aug 18, 2005

QDRHRSE said:
It's such an easy job that you could probaly do it while commuting to work in traffic....most of it at least.

Hmmm ... I'm going to try that tomorrow

Black Sun 5.0 · Aug 18, 2005

QDRHRSE · Aug 18, 2005

I was just saying.....its not a big deal.

tunedin302 · Aug 18, 2005

QDRHRSE said:
I was just saying.....its not a big deal.

I totally agree ... never really looked at it like that before but I really do think that I could do most of the shifter install on my way to work. I really want to try now ..... if only I had the guts to drive my stang to work

QDRHRSE · Aug 18, 2005

I dare you! Do you sit in any traffic? I bet you could do it in a day or two. The tricky part is the actual shifter change. Maybe you could get everything loose and do the actual change when you get to work or right before you go home. You could disassemble and re assemble everything else on the road. I officially assign this to you as homework. Get crackin!!

tunedin302 · Aug 18, 2005

QDRHRSE said:
I dare you! Do you sit in any traffic? I bet you could do it in a day or two. The tricky part is the actual shifter change. Maybe you could get everything loose and do the actual change when you get to work or right before you go home. You could disassemble and re assemble everything else on the road. I officially assign this to you as homework. Get crackin!!

I drive about 40 minutes each way to work. About 30 minutes is highway driving and the rest is very stop and go. I could probably get the old shifter out while on the highway (maintain same speed and never have to shift otu of 5th). Then I could get the new shifter in before getting off the highway and as long as I put 2 bolts in it then I can shift for traffic. I'll spend the rest of the time putting on the dust boot, boot, and setting the stops. It can be done .... of course explaining to the cop the permatex all over my hands and why I decided to take my shifter out while driving will be a different story.

The Shape · Aug 18, 2005

I can change one with the car submerged in water BEAT THAT!!!!!

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