Shifter rattling?
Shifter rattling? Hey guys so recently I noticed a weird issue with my shifter. Under load and at around 3k rpm+ there's a metallic-like rattling coming from the shifter area. At first sounded almost like there was a hole in my exhaust but it won't make the noise when the clutch is engaged so I know it's driveline related.
MGW shifter, any idea what this could be?
MGW shifter, any idea what this could be?
My SLP Hurst shifter has been doing that since day one back when I installed it in the late '90's. I put some Dynamate Extreme around the base and a little bit on the shaft, it's all covered by the shift boot anyway, and it helped some, but it does still rattle. Perfectly normal with aftermarket shifters IMO.
Have you checked the little cup that the shifter ball sits in? It's been too long since I opened mine, but I think(?) there was a plastic "sleeve" or something in there that might have come out? Or possibly the cup itself is just wallered out a bit
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Checked the plastic shift ball, looks fine but I wouldn't know what a bad one looks like. Car is out of action at the moment (awaiting Frost tune 
) will try some of the remedies suggested here when I get my PCM back.
) will try some of the remedies suggested here when I get my PCM back. LS1 Tech Stories
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Verdad Gallardo So yea it's still doing it. Took everything apart and couldn't find anything wrong. How hard are you guys torquing the four shifter bolts?
If I tightly grab the shift **** I can get it to stop rattling so something is definitely loose I just can't figure out what.
If I tightly grab the shift **** I can get it to stop rattling so something is definitely loose I just can't figure out what.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
Take out the allen screw on the side of the shift **** that holds the shift **** from twisting, and twist the shift **** all the way tight on the rod, don't put that allen screw back in and see if it goes away.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
Likes: 12
From: Connecticut SE shore
How does it sound with the shift **** off? Shift ***** are often sound amplifiers, especially when they have internal metal sleeves/threads. Some are noiser than others just by their construction. Some of the Hurst solid ball shifters are quite noisy. Is the shifter sealed tight all around? You can always layer that area above the boot and under the console with additional sound deadening material.
Another option is to use a gasket when bolting on the shifter arm (rubber, paper, etc.). There's a Mustang specialty shop that sells these kits just for T56/T5/TKO shifters. I used a thin piece of rubber on mine. The factory uses a thick piece of solid rubber. It should make a difference if it's other than bolted metal to metal.
The shifter ball is the last thing in the line of sound amplification. It can start from anywhere in the transmission or even outside the car, and then work it's way back in to the cabin. Reducing the noise is feasible. Eliminating it is the hard part.
Another option is to use a gasket when bolting on the shifter arm (rubber, paper, etc.). There's a Mustang specialty shop that sells these kits just for T56/T5/TKO shifters. I used a thin piece of rubber on mine. The factory uses a thick piece of solid rubber. It should make a difference if it's other than bolted metal to metal.
The shifter ball is the last thing in the line of sound amplification. It can start from anywhere in the transmission or even outside the car, and then work it's way back in to the cabin. Reducing the noise is feasible. Eliminating it is the hard part.
Last edited by Firebrian; Mar 12, 2017 at 12:49 PM.
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
This happened to me too with an aftermarket shifter. I put a small piece of rubber under the shifter **** and it helped quite it down a lot. I have a cheap short throw shifter though, and not a MGW.
I think it's caused by not using RTV sealant to seal the shifter to the transmission. When I installed my MGW shifter the first time I put RTV sealant around the shifter base and it never made the rattling noise you describe. But after I had to pull my transmission again I didn't use the RTV because it's a hassle to scrape the old RTV off when applying a new layer. After I quit using the sealant my MGW shifter starting rattling but it doesn't bother me too much.
BTW, couldn't be more happy with the MGW shifter. If you're considering one just go ahead and get it.
BTW, couldn't be more happy with the MGW shifter. If you're considering one just go ahead and get it.