A friendly shifter linkage bushing reminder

[aemravan]

Just dropping a post to remind everyone to check on their shifter linkage bushing if you haven’t done so recently. It is NOT ok lol.

I was VERY lucky to have mine fail after coming home and parking in the driveway from a 2 day off-road trip when it broke and popped off the shifter. Luckily I had ordered the replacement a year ago and it was just sitting on the work bench. This would have sucked to deal with on the trails.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TLar25]

Where did you order the repair kit from? I should probably get a couple. 4Runner just turned over 270k miles, and my GX is at 200+

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[SurferUK]

What happens if this fails and how do you fix it?

 

[rdruss]

What happens if this fails and how do you fix it?

Had my kit for about 2 years now hanging above work bench. Hope it fails in driveway like my serpentine belt tensioner did last week!

 

[AuSeeker]

What happens if this fails and how do you fix it?

If it fails the shifter cable is disconnected from the shifter and you can't shift gears, the only way to properly fix it is with a new bushing, but at least one member here used a ziptie to reconnect the shifter cable which worked for him and as far as I know is still working.

Another member found a bushing from an assortment at a hardware or a auto parts store, don't remember exactly which, but he was able to fix his for only a few dollars.

Here's link to a bushing kit, you can maybe find it cheaper by a few dollars through Amazon or other websites.

Shop Toyota 4Runner Shift Cable Bushing Kit Online

 

[AuSeeker]

Where did you order the repair kit from? I should probably get a couple. 4Runner just turned over 270k miles, and my GX is at 200+

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Sorry just saw your post, here's for a link to the kit, but look at my last post to maybe find it or a bushing cheaper elsewhere.

Not sure if the same kit fits a GX, but you can check for a kit at the same website.

Shop Toyota 4Runner Shift Cable Bushing Kit Online

 

[SurferUK]

If it fails the shifter cable is disconnected from the shifter and you can't shift gears, the only way to properly fix it is with a new bushing, but at least one member here used a ziptie to reconnect the shifter cable which worked for him and as far as I know is still working.

Another member found a bushing from an assortment at a hardware or a auto parts store, don't remember exactly which, but he was able to fix his for only a few dollars.

Here's link to a bushing kit, you can maybe find it cheaper by a few dollars through Amazon or other websites.

Shop Toyota 4Runner Shift Cable Bushing Kit Online

Thanks mate, I will drop them a line and see if it's possible to deliver to the UK affordably.

 

[aemravan]

For a 25 dollar part I wouldn’t cheap out with a zip tie lol. I guess if it’s a decent zip tie it could last but why risk it ?

I also roll around with enough tools to be able to get down to the shift cable if needed, or drop under the car to manually flip the switch on the trans but it’s certainly nothing I’d like to be doing if I can prevent it.

Realistically speaking this should be possible for anyone to do with a 10 and 12 mm socket and 45 minutes of work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gimlithepirate]

Huh. Didn't know this was a thing. I replaced shifter bushings with metal ones in my Focus ST because racecar... But didn't know this part could wear out on these.

I'm tempted to do this as preventative maintenance given how cheap/easy it is, and the fact I have no desire to ever do this on the trail.

 

[aemravan]

Huh. Didn't know this was a thing. I replaced shifter bushings with metal ones in my Focus ST because racecar... But didn't know this part could wear out on these.

I'm tempted to do this as preventative maintenance given how cheap/easy it is, and the fact I have no desire to ever do this on the trail.

I read something about it randomly while looking up some floppy shifter threads (not same issue) and bought it just in case . It looked like my factory bushing literally fell apart in 3 or 4 pieces probably a little before it popped off completely. I would highly recommended since it’s so cheap and easy to do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gimlithepirate]

I read something about it randomly while looking up some floppy shifter threads (not same issue) and bought it just in case . It looked like my factory bushing literally fell apart in 3 or 4 pieces probably a little before it popped off completely. I would highly recommended since it’s so cheap and easy to do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm kind of shocked you can't get the bushing OEM. Then again, my biggest complaint with Toyota is the fact that everything is an assembly.

Most of the cheaper options out there appear to be for older vehicles. FYI, the ones posted earlier in this thread are less if you order from EBay. You get free shipping for the same product from the same seller.

 

[aemravan]

I'm kind of shocked you can't get the bushing OEM. Then again, my biggest complaint with Toyota is the fact that everything is an assembly.

Most of the cheaper options out there appear to be for older vehicles. FYI, the ones posted earlier in this thread are less if you order from EBay. You get free shipping for the same product from the same seller.

To be honest I haven't even checked for an OEM option, but like you mentioned this was always bound to be an assembly type thing. Just like not being able to buy the lower ball joint vs buying a complete LCA, just the way they elected to stock replacement parts. Frankly though, not sure I would want an OEM replacement if this one failed in an 03 vehicle with only 140k miles on it lol. I'll give the aftermarket a shot and just plan on replacing it 5ish years down the road just in case lol.

and you are correct, ebay is the way to go, at least that's where I got mine from originally.

 

[Drcoffee]

How do you get that deep into the shifter? Do you need to remove the unit from the conole?

See post #21 for detailed write up.

 

[aemravan]

How do you get that deep into the shifter? Do you need to remove the unit from the conole?

You probably don’t have to but once you’re down to it it’s only 4 bolts.. you have to pop off the plastic trim, remove the arm rest and you’re at the assembly. To take it apart you pop the white upper cover off and then there is a metal rod on one end that holds it together, pop the locking tab that secures it and the upper piece lifts up, and viola.

Pictures would have helped but I’m sure there are some floating around. I did my swap in under 30 minutes but I also tear into my console on a regular basis ..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Drcoffee]

You probably don’t have to but once you’re down to it it’s only 4 bolts.. you have to pop off the plastic trim, remove the arm rest and you’re at the assembly. To take it apart you pop the white upper cover off and then there is a metal rod on one end that holds it together, pop the locking tab that secures it and the upper piece lifts up, and viola.

Pictures would have helped but I’m sure there are some floating around. I did my swap in under 30 minutes but I also tear into my console on a regular basis ..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I took a peek at the shifter, I got to the point of removing the white plastic, but then couldnt see how to go any further and reach the bushing. I ordered the part off ebay and will take another stab at it when it comes in. I can take pics as I go too.

 

[Keros]

My shifter is a tad sticky moving from 3rd to 2nd. It takes a bit of finesse to ease the shifter over.

Is this a sign of the linkage bushing going? Or something to do with the guide pins?

 

[Bluesky 07]

I suppose I'll do this in the interest of preventive maintenance (my truck is at 221K miles) but it grinds my gears (ha!) to spend $25 on a plastic washer.

 

[aemravan]

My shifter is a tad sticky moving from 3rd to 2nd. It takes a bit of finesse to ease the shifter over.

Is this a sign of the linkage bushing going? Or something to do with the guide pins?

doubtful, but could give you some insight as to whats going on when you take it apart to replace the bushing. I didn't bother figuring out exactly what gives the springiness to the shifter and how the whole mechanism works when it was apart since I was more curious to fix the shifting issue.

 

[Bluesky 07]

The listing pic shows 2 pieces in the bag - do they fit together to create the one bushing or do you get two bushings?

 

[AuSeeker]

The listing pic shows 2 pieces in the bag - do they fit together to create the one bushing or do you get two bushings?

The second piece is a "Installation Driver", but they say you can install the bushing without it or you can use it if you need too, here's a link to a YouTube video from the manufacturer's website the link I'm posting is straight to YouTube, the video says it's for a "Toyota Matrix" but the bushing installs the same on our 4Runners, you just basically just push the bushing into the cable eyelet, the guy actually is talking but I couldn't hear him on my laptop until I used headphones.

The easiest way to fix your Toyota Matrix shift cable! Kit includes replacement bushing. - YouTube