TWM sts bushing problem

[zoomspeed3zoom]

I just got my twm sts and bushings today. It snowed so I could not work on the car but hopefully it will be nice this weekend. Back to the topic, I heard that the bushings twm makes for the MS3 are not thick enough. By this I mean that they are thinner than the stock bushings and this is causing problems. Supposedly it is causing a kink in the shifting cables and is causing a noise when you shift from second to third. Has anyone heard this or a way to fix it, a simple washer would probably work. Any input is appreciated.

[MicaSp33d]

same here i just recently installed the bushing and i too hear the kink noise when i shift from 2-3. But shifting was better so i left it alone. If theres a fix, i wanna see it too

[Betelgeuse]

Where did you get this info from? I haven't read anywhere about the twm bushings causing a kink in the cable. The stock tranny with stock bushings clunks at low rpms esp from 2-3, that's just the way it is. I have the new bushings and have no new issues, just a better shift feel. Please post a link to wherever this info is, I'm very curious.

[dread]

first I have heard of this, mine are fine and I was one of the first to get them.

[funkyman]

first I have heard of this, mine are fine and I was one of the first to get them.

Himm i was going to buy these bushings but after this discerning post,i`ll think twice about it.

[mckraut]

Hmm, I have not encountered this problem and I've had mine in for months now.

[stephani3]

I have the TWM bushings w/ the stock shifter but I haven't had any problems or heard any clunking noises!

[clos561]

my bushings are fine, 2-3 is so fast and so smooth now, havent grinded or missed 3rd since(plus my MM upgrade)

[enganear]

You are probably just feeling the harshness that the original rubber bushings were put there to mask. This transmission is very "notchy".
-enganear

[MicaSp33d]

yea your probably right enganear. Well all that matter is that it feels better than those rubber bushings.

[redheaddstpch1d]

10 Months so far with the bushings and no issues on my end

[clos561]

if it feels that wierd, go under again and make sure they are in palce correctly

[Chris Barnett]

The bushings were thinner but if you sit them side by side, they are the exact thickness of the bottom part of the stock bushing, which is what counts. Who The part that sat above the shifter? meaningless.

I would consider this a must have modification for any Speed3 owner.

[sjeffrey]

I just put new short shifter with bushings last night.
I doubt the bushings are causing what you are describing as others have said. The only thing I noticed is that shifting is less "flimsy".
This is my third Mazda and I always found that you have to go easy on the transmission, you can't throw it in gear to quickly or force it.

One suggestion for others thinking of putting in the TWM bushings, make sure you hold the bushings in place and be extra carefull when you're about to put the screws back in. I had the last one fall to the side under the carpet. I ended up taking out the driver seat and carpet and fishing around under there for a good 30 minutes, talk about a waste of time (hand)

Other than that, I was really satisfied with the install, the instructions were dead on and easy to follow.