Axial Flow Shifter Problem

[Jenady]

A few days ago I posted this:

"I installed an Axial Flow Engineering short shift lever from Rick's.

The first issue I encountered was its reluctance to be pushed down to go into reverse. It did finally give in.

I found that there is a lot of room to the right of fifth gear. It is like there is no gate to limit travel. Then, yesterday I actually went past sixth as though I was trying to shift into reverse. This makes a very bad noise.

Now I realize the the shifter is stuck down. It still goes through all the gears but it also will go into reverse without pushing down."

After a few responses I posted this:

"I went back in to check it out. It was definitely in the correct orientation. The way it is made it only goes in one way. I definitely have it well lubed. I popped it out and tried to put it back in. It would not go in all the way. I repeated this a couple of times before it slipped right in and freely moved up and down.

Now it works perfectly. There is no travel past 5th-6th. The shifter depresses for reverse. I am fairly mechanically skilled but I do not see what it is in there that makes the difference. I just hope it is really fixed."

It was not really fixed. Today I took a drive. The shifts were fantastic. But, When I tried to back out of a parking place it would not depress for reverse. Luckily I rolled out of the spot and made it home.

I took everything apart and compared the stock shifter to the Axial Flow shifter.

http://jenady.smugmug.com/photos/222098667-M.jpg

My best guess is that this is long enough to allow the plastic cup on the end of the shifter to extend completely through the hole that it mates with in the transmission. This holds it in the depressed position.

If that sounds right do you have any idea how to fix it?

[repiv]

(Odd that your other thread got closed. :think: )

Anyway, my response ...............................
That little "pin" that sticks out from the metal shaft just below the end ball (in your picture) slides inside the corresponding slot of the assembly that's bolted to the transmission. It seems to me that the pin is not always able to slide completely in that slot. The spring under it is what gives it tension.
1. Did you thoroughly grease up the slot that the pin moves up and down in?
2. Did you clean and grease up the spring. It can get pretty cruddy with dried grease and this can cause the stick to catch when trying to do up and down.
3. Ensure that when you screw the stick down with those 3 bolts, that you wiggle the stick around until you can fully compress the spring. This will ensure that the bolts will fully seat the stick assembly. If it's raised up just a little, it may not be properly orientated since that pin looks to be just a bit further from the ball.

Having taken care of the above. The Axial shift pin looks very sharp edged. These sharp corners may be catching in the slot. If it works with lots of grease and by you grabbing the shift knob and twisting it clockwise/counterclockwise, then I'd say the corners are catching and you might consider filing the corners a bit rounder (or send it back for a new one).
That actual detent for reverse is built into the stick assembly, not the transmission side of things. That pin must slide completely within the slot so that the stick can go down far enough to clear the detent. Take it apart again so you can see the mechanism and play with the stick going up and down to see where it might be catching.

[Jenady]

Here is what I did:

1. The pin that goes through the shift shaft was longer than the original. I shortened it and polished the ends.
2. I eased the sharp corners on the two rectangular pieces that ride in the groves.
3. I increased the radius slightly on the button on the end of the shaft that fits into the transmission linkage. I also sanded and polished the sides of it and radiused the top edge.
4. I made a .1" spacer to lift the entire assembly to offset the extra length.

When I reassembled it I used a generous amount of grease as I did originally.

Now it works. The transition to reverse requires a little more effort than the stock shifter. Shifting through the gears is amazing. It has a much crisper and quicker feel.

Repiv,

Thank you for taking time to help me with this.

[desmo4]

The force required to get into reverse is determined by the spring, assuming the shifter assembly is sliding smoothly and freely in the aluminum housing. Honda recommends Super Hi Temp Urea Grease part #08798-9002 for the shifter. There was a TSB for 00 S2K's where water would get into the shifter and cause it to bind up and affect reverse and fifth gear selection.

Jonathan

[repiv]

I trust that the makers of the shifter sees your post and incorporate the modifications into their product. Wouldn't hurt to send them a message about what you had to do.