EP91 Starlet shifter feel

[Ms55]

Hi
I just bought an EP91 Starlet (life) as a daily. I love it to bits, but the shifter feels pretty average.. very clunky. Is there any way to improve this? I took the centre console out to see if anything could be tightened but i couldn't find anything.
Thanks!

[Draven]

that's just kinda how they are, unfortunately. I've just learned to live with mine - doesn't make bad noises, crunch, or whine, so I just deal with it feeling like I've used a pipe-wrench to shift gears

[Ms55]

Hmm ok.. mine just feels like it actually has play in it though.. When i took the centre console off and looked at the "ball" part of the shifter in the hole, it could move around in there when i moved the gearstick around. I would have thought that part should be tight? The car only has 130,000 on the clock so i wouldn't have thought it would be that slogged out.

[The Last Streetfighter]

You can replace teh shifter (Rubber) bushings (at the gearbox) with bearings. That makes it a lot snickier.

[Cuzzo]

^^ yep do this, you can also roller bearings (non-factory) instead of the bushes which helps alot.

[Ms55]

Is this a simple job? Any walk-throughs?

[trdee]

go to skate shop

get bearings.

pop old bushings out

pop new bearings in

profit

[Cuzzo]

LOL or maybe a bearing shop?

there is one on twincam.org
vito?

Not sure what size, best to take the old bushes and get a bearing same physical size ID and OD then ad some washers to space out the circlip.

[Ms55]

Hmm interesting thanks! I'll have a look at it tommorow..

[trdee]

LOL or maybe a bearing shop?

there is one on twincam.org
vito?

according to casey and a few others whom have done the swap, the shifter linkage bushings are the exact same size as skateboard bearings. makes sourcing shit real easy

[Casey-G]

Only on our corolla's vilo


This lil sucker may differ to the corolla linkages (toyoDIY check needed i cbf), the E-series linkages are a different size. (E series forward/backward throw linkage was much bigger and bearing was much more expensive) But C series linkages require only a cheap lil $2 industrial bearing from a bearing retailer (trade cost that price is)

It would be cheaper than a skate shop to go to a bearing shop with sizes in hand, saves you having to buy 4 of or 8 of (im not a sk8ter i think its 8 bearings per pack)


here are my linkages in my seca:



*note E series was an interference fit and required myself to dodge it up and press it in with an F clamp, The C series linkage did not require this.



Easier to install in a car if you remove thermostat housing, and air intake pipe.


for my ae92 hatch i had previously with a C series box and original linkages I needed:

2x 8mm ID 20mm OD 5mm wide bearings

4X 8mm ID washers with about 12-14mm OD

4X 20mm-22mm

Split pins and maybe some extra washers to shim up to the split pin point so you get no up/down movement.

Just push the old ones out with fingers/flat screwdriver give them a rub with some fine emery paper if some of the rubber is stuck to the linkages (not much rubbing should be needed)

install 1 large (20-22mm) washer, then one small washer, then bearing, then small washer, then large washer, then any extra required washers to take up the slack, then the split pin.

kinda like:

|-0-|-s

| = big washer
- = small washer
0 = bearing
s = split pin


yay for boredom

[trdee]

Pretty sure EP91 starlets use a C52 casey.

Didnt know E series linkages were different size. the C52 cables can be used on an E51 box so wouldnt have thought they would be different. unless its only the OD that changes and the ID stays the same?

[Hiro]

AE102/112 C52 linkage eyes are different sizes too (one is slightly smaller than the standard AE92 size so it's a very tight fit, the other is much larger), so you can't be guaranteed that just because it is a C-series box that they'll fit.

[Ms55]

Thanks guys! Looks like a good mod!
Unfortunately it still doesn't solve the movement in the gear lever itself (ball part of the shifter moving) which i think is the main source of my problem..

[Cuzzo]

Youd be surprised....

Aslong as your ball(s) aren't completly flogged out within close to factory then this will help stiffen up the movement.