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1. The first step is to remove the lower center consol. - Remove the two lower kick panels on either side of the center consol. Two Torx screws hold each panel on, slide the panel towards the engine to remove.
- Press out the ACC module from the rear and unplug the connecter, and do the same for the heated seat switches. The temperature sensor must be pushed in from the front after the cover is removed.
- Using a small screwdriver pry up the small plastic panel covering the ignition key. (9-3 models have a key antenna, removing by turning it counter-clockwise slightly and pulling up.)
- Pry up the window switch panel where the arrow indicates and unplug the wires from the underside.
- Remove the ashtray and single Torx screw behind it.
- Pull the rear vent panel up and off the center consol.
- Remove the two 13mm bolts holding down the rear of the center consol
- Pull out the interior light switch and unplug it.
- Finally remove the two Torx screws next to the ignition and pull out the lower center consol.
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2. The next step is to remove the center consol.
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Remove the two expansion rivets securing the console to the dashboard by depressing the center pin about 3mm and pull out the rivet. They are located on the inside top of the consol.
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Pry up the stick shift gaiter with your hands, it is held down by plastic clips.
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Begin pulling out the center consol. Unplug the two wires at the back of the cigarette lighter and remove the center consol.
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Pull down on the air vent connection behind the center consol and slide it out.
The gear shifter housing is now exposed, but before it can be removed it must be disconnected from the transmission. |
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3. Removing the Shifter from the transmission is a lot easier then it sounds. A single 15mm bolt attaches the selector shaft to the shift linkage. With this bolt loosened the selector shaft can be slid out.
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Open the hood and remove the black plastic cover over the intake manifold.
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Locate and loosen the 15mm bolt on the end on the gear shift linkage. The linkage is located about 16 inches below the arrow just off the firewall. The bolt is facing straight up and the best way to reach it is with several long socket extensions. Loosen the bolt several full turns but do not remove it.
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[Click Image to Enlarge] |
[Click Image to Enlarge] |
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4. Removal of gear shifter housing.
- Unbolt the four 13mm bolts that hold the housing down.
- With the housing free rotate it to access the underside. Release or cut the plactic wire clips that are attached to the housing.
- With a screwdriver pry off the plug connection to the ignition.
- Pull out the shifter housing and gear selector shaft.
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The first step is now complete. The second step is removing the old shifter stick and replacing it with the adjustable short shifter.
- Start by unbolting the selector shaft from the bottom of the shifter. An adjustable wrench works well.
- At this point you should decide if you want to keep the reverse lockout or remove it. If you take it out you will no longer need to put it in reverse to remove the key. Removing it provides a little more clearance to further reduce the short shifter throw. Removal is simple and involves removing the components that are marked in figure 2.
- To remove the stick shifter unhook the retaining spring with a small screwdriver. This will allow the top plastic retainer to be rotated and removed. The shifter can then be pulled up and out of the housing.
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- With a small screwdriver pry out the plastic bushing at the bottom of the shifter.
- The shift knob and gaiter can be removed as one piece. To do this place the old shifter in a vise. Firmly grip the knob and with force twist the knob to break the epoxy. When the know is able to rotate pull it off with moderate force.
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- With all the components removed it is time to rebuild the shifter. Start by sliding the bushing into the bottom of the short shifter.
- Slide the plastic retainer onto the short shifter.
- Slide on the shift knob and boot onto the short shifter. Be sure to correctly orientate the gear numbers by lining them up perpendicular to the bushing. Then cover the shift knob with padding and lightly hammer it down. Finaly transfer some grease from the old ball to the new one.
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- Now it is time to determine how much you want to shorten your shift. The most you can go will depend on if you removed the reverse lock-out or not.
- If you removed the reverse lock out and want to shorten the shifter as much as possible then move the ball up until it is 6-7 threads from the top. The two pictures above show the ball at this setting. If you are leaving the reverse lockout increase the distance a few more threads.
- With height decided test the Reverse/5th gear bumper to make sure it easily clears the white plastic bumper.
- For a really low shifter setting file off the top ridge of the white plastic bumper. Only 2-3 mm needs to be removed. It's not necessary but makes it easier to slide into reverse.
- With the shifter in place attach the small retaining spring to the plastic ring (7) at point A. Slide this piece onto the shifter mount. Using a small screwdriver pull the spring around and attach it to the nub on the shifter mount (Inside at point B). This part has only one orientation and must be rotated 90 degrees clockwise to lock down the shifter ball.
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- With the shifter finished reinstall in the opposite order.
- When reconnecting the shifter selection rod make sure it feeds through the rubber boot in the firewall and slips into the shift linkage. Put the shifter in 4th gear and lock it in place by inserting a metal rod into the hole at the front of the shifter housing. Tighten clamp securing the selector rod to the linkage to 15lbf ft. (21Nm). Check to make sure you have access to all gears.
- Now go for a drive!
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