Ok, so I have an '89 Pickup (4cyl 22-RE, 5spd, 2x4) with a little over 162k on it. I've owned it since just around 98k and never had this problem.

The truck sat for a couple weeks. When I came back, I noticed that the shifting was a bit stiff. I had trouble getting it into gear and it would occasionally grind.

I checked the clutch master cylinder, looks good. I also had the transmission drained and re-filled. Still having the same problem. In fact, it's getting worse to the point where it's now popping out of gear. Getting to work this morning was ... fun, to say the least.

Anyway, I did some searching and read about the shift lever seat bushing. Most of the references I see to this is for 4-Runners. Does this apply to PU's as well. Do my symptoms seem to indicate this as a possibility?

If I do go to replace it, are there any differences between doing this on my PU as opposed to a 4-Runner (which is what all the guides I've seen show)?

Thanks.

 

It could be the shifter seat bushings, but you may also have a slave cylinder or Master going out also. Both are cheap and fairly easy to replace. I would first go with the shifter seat bushings as they are a nice cheap replacement and make the shifter work like new.

There is no difference between the truck and the 4runner when it comes to changing them out.

Welcome to the site BTW

 

Well, I'm a noob when it comes to mechanics... but I had my dad check it out. He says I have plenty of "free play" ... the truck doesnt roll with the clutch depressed, so it doesnt appear my clutch is dragging. I'm not sure if that's what you were thinking or not.

Seaflea: Thanks for the welcome. I'll hit the dealership up at lunch today and see how soon I can get these parts. I dont know if it's something they normally stock or not.

As far as the cylinders, they dont appear to be leaking, and the clutch fluid level has not dropped. Not sure if they can fail without leaking or not though.

 

Here are the part numbers (if you know what transmission you have) you can use these for referrnce;

Socket - 33548-31010 $4.26
Seat - 33505-35020 $11.64
The seat and socket fit all: '81-'82 L45, 50; '83 L52 ; '84-'85 G52 ; '85-'87 G54;
'89-'95 G58 ; '85-'95 W56 ; '96-'03 W59 ; '86-'87 R151F ; '88-'03 R150F

This was taken from 4x4 wires part # thread.

 

Ok guys, thanks for the help.

I hobbled over to the dealership at lunch time today, using only 2nd, 4th, and 5th gears. It wasnt pretty.

They did have the parts in-stock and $21 and some change later, I had the replacements.

Did some more reading about the problem, and one way I ran across being able to tell if tihs is the problem or not, is to list up on the shift lever as you shift. I tried this and was able to get it fully into each gear, every time, without grinding.

Well, so I get home and start to remove the shift lever. I get it off and the seat doesnt even look like it's still there. Upon further investigation, the lower half was still there, but the top half had disitegrated to the point of being a flakey mush. It was like I was picking rubber coffee grounds out of the top of my transmission with a pair of tweezers.. literally. I wish I had gotten pics.

Anyway, to make a short story even shorter, the thing shifts absolutely beautifully now. I cant believe how nice it is! It shifts better than it ever has in the time I've had it. I can shift the thing using just one or two fingers.

So thanks for the help, I was really stressing about having to replace this thing!

 

Just plan on doing that every few years. Also you might consider switching to Redline MTL. It is the cat's pajamas--you will think you are shifting a BMW.

 

Glad you got it fixed!

 

Just installed these Marlin Crawler replacement parts in my 89 SR5 PU and it shifts like new. A great $20 improvement. Easy to install also. We'll see how they last. I think the seat is made of polyeurathane and should last longer than the stock unit.