InsolentMinx Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Right, first up, I have a shortshifter installed by previous owner, and have the leathery/plastic Auris gearknob. I've noticed that sometimes it can be a bit tough shifting between 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and can be quite an effort to shove it into reverse too. (I had a similar issue with my 140 but didn't have the shortshifter so the changes were a little less precise anyway.) This shifting does get a little easier once the car's warmed up and been running for a while, but it can still happen. It annoys me, as the shifting isn't as smooth as I'd like, and it annoys the missus as she has to use both hands and push hard to get the car into reverse! - Is this something that will go away if the gearbox oil is changed? - Do I need to lubricate the shifter mechanism itself somehow? - Would a longer and/or weighted gearknob help the matter? Albeit with a possible reduction in the effectiveness of the shortshifter? I can't remember if the bushes in the engine bay are the original or the uprated brass variety... (I swapped to the brass type in the 140, and didn't think they made too much of a difference anyway) Are all Celica gearboxes just a little clunky like this, or is it just mine? ... My experience of the 140 and the T-Sport leads me to believe that it's just a trait of the Celica gearbox, but maybe I'm just doing something wrong... Help please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nthnmunky Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 I've always found the Celica C60 box to be pretty notchy but have no real issues with the action. Yes a shortshifter will make life tougher on selecting gears but with a little lithium grease on the cup and ball connections in the shifter and a change of gearbox oil may be all you need to sort your issues out. Personally I've had a positive reaction to my shortshifter and brass bushes but not sure how much improvement to attribute to what parts Hope you get it sorted because little niggly probs are a PITA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juicygoolies Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 I changed my gearbox oil recently and haven't noticed a slight bit of difference if I'm honest so if I were to advise you I'd say not to bother changing it. Then again my gear changes were fine anyway, so i guess I tried to fix something that wasn't broken (or improve it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gstraw Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 If it gets a but better when the engine is warm then you defo need a gearbox oil change. You should never have to use 2 hands to get into gear IMO. Weighted knob will help yes Stock shiter size will help vs short shifter I would do the oil and brass bushes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J03 Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Even changing the height of the gearknob by a few cms will make a world of difference. I had the stock knob with ebay shortshifter but recently swapped it for a RAZO aluminium one & the difference is like night & day The height difference can only be 2 to 3cm but the extra leverage makes changing gears so much easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsolentMinx Posted March 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Even changing the height of the gearknob by a few cms will make a world of difference. I had the stock knob with ebay shortshifter but recently swapped it for a RAZO aluminium one & the difference is like night & day The height difference can only be 2 to 3cm but the extra leverage makes changing gears so much easier. That's what I was thinking... a slightly taller knob () Maybe I'll browse the interwebz for a decent one. I did see a Razzo one I liked. Oh, and it's only the g/f who needs to use to hands to get into reverse cos she's weak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J03 Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 That's what I was thinking... a slightly taller knob ( ) Maybe I'll browse the interwebz for a decent one. I did see a Razzo one I liked. Oh, and it's only the g/f who needs to use to hands to get into reverse cos she's weak Well it deters my missus from driving mine altogether so no complaints from me! Here's my RAZO: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edd1Ninety9 Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 She's got brass bushes, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsolentMinx Posted March 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 (edited) Contemplating these 3 knobs for a little extra leverage... http://www.amazon.co...32936345&sr=1-2 http://www.amazon.co...2936345&sr=1-20 http://www.amazon.co...32936345&sr=1-4 Well it deters my missus from driving mine altogether so no complaints from me! Here's my RAZO: Very nice knob! (no homo) My g/f isn't overly keen on the Celica... too low, too noisy, too treasured by me ... but we only have the 1 car, and she's grateful that I let her drive it, so she can't complain too much. But i just don't want her getting in trouble/stuck because she can't get in reverse Plus i'd like a smoother shift. She's got brass bushes, Steve. ah, thanks! I hadn't checked the engine bay to see, but i figured it was probably something that you'd have done * this one's 400g i imagine that will help with the shift? or this one is cheaper but only 150g i quite like the brushed dark silver. imagine it'd get cold in winter though Edited March 28, 2012 by InsolentMinx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pym Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 (edited) When I had the T sport I did occasionally find that I would struggle from 2nd to 3rd but the same as you this would get better at temperature. Edited March 28, 2012 by Pym Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cravo Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Mine is the same, when cold can be a pain to get into 1st and 2nd but once warm its fine. Was the same in the 140 although not as bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsolentMinx Posted March 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 I think i'm due a service soon anyway, so maybe i'll get the gearbox oil changed for piece of mind. Have ordered the 150g Razo knob too, so hopefully that little extra length and weight will give a more positive shift with a bit more leverage. Fingers crossed. Will have an Auris gearknob for sale soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsolentMinx Posted March 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 (edited) found a couple of interesting reads about short shifters and longer gearknobs http://www.twmperfor...rt-shifter.html with a niftly little animation http://forums.evolut...ifter-knob.html discussing the pros/cons of shortshifters and longer gearknobs. basically it's down to personal preference I think unless you start taking in depth measurements I'm not racing, so doubt it'll severely affect my 1/4 mile times Edited March 28, 2012 by InsolentMinx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booth Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Hmm, Im finding 2nd to 3rd and also reverse a bit tough recently. Weighted/taller gear knob does look good but doesnt that unwrite the benefits of the short shifter??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyRacer Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 I've got a TRD SS and only problem I have is 2nd to 3rd in lift but that is a Celica trait. I wont slip across and has to be positively 'gated'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InsolentMinx Posted March 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 that 2nd to 3rd is indeed a pain. Well, I'll see how the slightly longer gearknob helps. For the sake of maybe a cm it might not do anything... I doubt it'll be as bad as the standard shifter though! Hopefully the brushed alu will spruce up the cockpit too (sheesh, all this talk of knobs and a cockpit ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edd1Ninety9 Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 Steve, just cut to the chase and install a E153 'box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keef-b Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 i had the 2nd -> 3rd occaisional issue - a g/box oil change with motul gear3000 and it all went away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gstraw Posted March 28, 2012 Report Share Posted March 28, 2012 I fancy a gearknob with an engine start button also...that would be sweeeet! However there is one in the market which looks minging! Any ideas of other ones? I assumed they would have a fair weight in them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serratia Posted March 29, 2012 Report Share Posted March 29, 2012 (edited) I had similar probs and so did the following: 1. Changed the gearbox oil for Redline MT90 from Opieoils (highly recommended) 2. Fitted TRD shortshifter 3. fitted brass bushes 4. Fitted weighted gearknob (around 300g) Gearshift is much improved and all my probs have gone apart from the old....getting from 2nd into 3rd when in lift. If you are not concentrating and try to force it, it wont go. A lot of members on here including Martin and I favour the "double tap method" i.e. knock it out of second pause for a millisecond then just push it forward and it goes straight into 3rd every time. The more you practice with this the faster you get. Its not the ideal solution but you never miss 3rd doing this Edited March 29, 2012 by Serratia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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