B&M SS Problem

[RHAGEL]

I've had a problem with my shifter for awhile and was wondering if anybody has experienced the same thing. I have a B&M SS with Kartboy bushings. When my car gets hot (only in the summer) my shifter gets real stiff and it makes it hard to put into gear. Even when in neutral the shifter is hard to move and it gets stuck sometimes. I have re-greased the shifter several times but doesn't seem to work. Anybody have any suggestions? B&M couldn't give me much of an answer, so I'm hoping someone can. Thanks.

[DiS]

how tight did you tighten the shifter to the linkage? If you tighten that part pretty hard it will be stiff.......I have TWM ss, and in traffic (pull 5 feet then stop) it gets pretty hot (i have TWM shift knob) and gets a bit stiff but I manage to drive with it. Sorry I couldnt be more helpful, but hoping that someone will be, heh.

[RHAGEL]

I'm thinking about taking it apart and just checking everything out. I don't know if it is going to help, but it cant hurt.

[DiS]

I'm thinking about taking it apart and just checking everything out. I don't know if it is going to help, but it cant hurt.

yea generally that would be a good idea (thumb)

[SImp3]

I have the same problem as well. Only in the summer time and only when its real humid or with bumper to bumper traffic. Someone else on the forum told me to start double pumping the clutch, ever since then the problems seems to have gone or is minimal at best. Hope that answers your question. They explained about the heat of the tranny fluid possibly causing the problem, by pumping the pedal I guess some of the heat is dissapatted(sp). I don't know if it was true or not but I can attest that it worked for me.

[RHAGEL]

I'll have to try that. I was thinking about getting the tranny fluid changed anyway, its been 44,000 miles and I think its time. I guess well see if that works.

[defchino]

I had the exact same problem, and so did a number of others on the board. The only solution I found was to replace the B&M SS with a TWM. Sorry I couldn't be more help. See HERE (http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112209) for more info.

[DiS]

I have the same problem as well. Only in the summer time and only when its real humid or with bumper to bumper traffic. Someone else on the forum told me to start double pumping the clutch, ever since then the problems seems to have gone or is minimal at best. Hope that answers your question. They explained about the heat of the tranny fluid possibly causing the problem, by pumping the pedal I guess some of the heat is dissapatted(sp). I don't know if it was true or not but I can attest that it worked for me.

thats not the case. The reason why you have to pump the clutch pedal twice, is to make the clutch spinning again. As you sit in neutral for a while clutch tends to stop, thats why when you try to put it into the gear it wont go in, thats why you need to pump the clutch twice, just to make it spin again. Nothing to do with heat.

[SImp3]

Cool , was just taking a guess at it

[DiS]

Cool , was just taking a guess at it
thats what we're here for(thumb)

[mazdaholic]

I'm using the same. B&M with kartboy bushing, but never noticed any problems. I did switch the tranny fluid to redline though, and noticed a difference there. you could try that as well.

[RHAGEL]

I went ahead and ordered a TWM Shifter that should be here today. I have a feeling that there was a run of the shifters that were bad. Because these parts are so precise, one wrong number in the programming can make a huge difference. Nothing against B&M, I know that they are a great company. I met the President/CEO's son once at trade show and was very nice and he tried to be as helpful as he could. I would try B&M again if I get the chance.

[rwvault15]

hopefully I don't have the same problem, my kartboy shifter bushings just came in today and I've had my B & M shifter waiting for a while. It's looking like the install is going to happen later this afternoon so wish me luck. I'll post if I notice anything like anyone else is explaining.

[P5 Rally]

i had the same problems untill i switched to the bronzoil bushings and i lubed up the linkages as well

[RHAGEL]

I can tell you one thing, if you have to put a lot of effort into getting the shifter into place then you may want to be a little cautious. If it fits in snug with ease, I would guess that you are in the clear. You will love the SS. I hated the long throw of the stock shifter. Give it about 2k mile sto break it in. It will be a little "clicky" at first but give it nice smooth shifts. Don't be too forcefull for awhile or you could damage the linkage.hopefully I don't have the same problem, my kartboy shifter bushings just came in today and I've had my B & M shifter waiting for a while. It's looking like the install is going to happen later this afternoon so wish me luck. I'll post if I notice anything like anyone else is explaining.

[RHAGEL]

How long have you had the redline in your tranny for? I have heard some skepticism about using aftermarket fluids in your transmission. Also, what was the weight that you used?I'm using the same. B&M with kartboy bushing, but never noticed any problems. I did switch the tranny fluid to redline though, and noticed a difference there. you could try that as well.

[mazdaholic]

How long have you had the redline in your tranny for? I have heard some skepticism about using aftermarket fluids in your transmission. Also, what was the weight that you used?

I've had it in the tranny for 1/2 a year now, without any problems. There are a bunch of us up here who use it, most using it a lot longer than i have. I would need to check what weight it is.

[RHAGEL]

I appreciate the help, thanks. I should have the SS installed by this evening.