Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys. I bought a 02 trans am a couple of weeks ago, and I noticed that the aftermarket hurst shifter in it didn't center itself. I thought the springs in the shifter were worn, so I replaced it with a MGW. The new shifter doesn't center itself either, but I can tell its a much better shifter than the hurst. What is required to change the centering springs in the transmission? Is there an access panel or is this going to be a job that requires the entire transmission to be pulled? I don't have the tools or confidence to perform that job, so it would be expensive. The guy I talked to over at MGW offered to send me super strong springs, but said they might be strong enough to pull itself out of gear...especially since I dd it 70+ miles.

85MikeTPI

iTrader: (9)

Search here for "antivenom" and see if the PO screwed up your internal detents. Otherwise you can try a fresh fluid fill to see if it helps free up the shift rail after some miles on the new fluid.

(This all presumes that you're testing with no rubber console boots/etc. on the shifter that may be binding)

Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

Changed my trans fluid today and drove about 70 miles. Still won't center

gconnoyer

iTrader: (1)

Id say its definitely a problem with the shifter

spook99maro

iTrader: (2)

My pro 5.0 was the same way at first. It will loosen up over time.

Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

it is not a problem with the shifter. i took the shifter off and stuck my finger in the cup then turned it left and right. it did not center itself. any other ideas before i have to pay someone an extreme amount to tear into my transmission? i do have some autorx that i can pour in, but i dont want it to cause more problems than its worth.

85MikeTPI

iTrader: (9)

There are no centering springs inside the transmission, just spring-loaded detents. The shifter springs (even stock ones) should be strong enough to overcome these detents due to the mechanical advantage. If you can easily move the shifter cup with your finger, then nothing is wrong inside.

You may need to give the MGW some time to break-in, or you may have some binding going on with the shifter or the cup. Try mounting the shifter on without torquing the screws all the way down and see if the shifter centers.

Do you have any history on this trans? Is the plastic cup broken or missing in the offset lever? Could it have a GTO offset lever ? Take and post some pictures.

Z28GONZO

Check out my post it down here on this section. I'm having issues with the shifter not centering from the right to the center it centers from left to right but not from right to left. Is that what's happening to you check our my vids.

Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

I have no history on the transmission. The cup is a golden color, but in great shape. The shifter does not center itself even if the bolts aren't tight, I already tried that. If I stick my finger in the cup and turn it to the 1-2 or 5-6 position, it doesn't center itself. Is it supposed to? I'll try to get some pics later today.

Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

still no luck with getting this thing to center itself. i'm wondering...is the shift rail supposed to center itself without a shifter on? like if you do what i did and stick your finger in the cup and turn it to the 1-2 or 5-6 position. i'm really getting frustrated with this. any input would be appreciated.

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

as far as I know there are no centering springs in the tranny itself and so its the shifters job to bring it back. hence why when the stock shifter gets worn out it goes sloppy and doesnt return to center. does the cup move freely in both directions or not? if it moves from 1 back to center and 5 back to center with the same resistance then i'd say its the shifter causing the issue.

1ltcap

take the shifter out, and look for the spring. it's probably broken, left out, or removed for the preference of the previous owner.

Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

the mgw shifter is brand new =[

1ltcap

did you put it in, or the previous owner?

Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

I put the brand new MGW in myself almost a week ago

1ltcap

gotcha. if i recall, those cars use the borg warner tranny, right? i think that everything to do with centering the shifter is in the shifter unit itself. it's been awhile though, so i could be wrong.

Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

I'm not sure, but thank you for the help so far. Hopefully someone else can chime in to confirm. If that's the case, the. The shift rail shouldn't center itself without a shifter attached? I wish someone with a functioning shifter could show me their shift rail functioning with the shifter off

2nasty

You should call them. This is the second person with the same problem.
I really want to order but Im waiting to see what the deal is.

spook99maro

iTrader: (2)

The rail itself wont center on its own. Like I said before drive it and break it in or shim the springs like some ppl do.

Beastmode89

iTrader: (2)

!!!UPDATE!!!

I spoke with Geoge, the owner of MGW. I told him about this post and he told me that the transmission in fact does have something to do with centering. I've been told so many things by so many people. I don't know what is true since I'm not a mechanic and I haven't torn down one of these transmissions myself. Could someone with a working shifter that centers itself please make a video with the shifter off. I would like to see the shift rail turned to the left and right without the shifter on to see if it centers itself, because George at MGW is saying that it should. I'm so frustrated with this issue. I had no idea I would run into this a few weeks ago when I bought the car.

Thanks for any help guys!