5MT Shifter Bushing Install Frustration - Cobb Bushings are junk

**mgmoehn** · 01-19-2013 03:05 PM

So after 2 hours of frustration trying to install the cobb bushings I gave up and will hopefully finish it tomorrow.

For starters, removing the cross member and heat shield were not bad... but I guess when I ordered my front bushing off Amazon... they sent me the damn 6 speed bushing.. I even went back to look at part numbers and I am supposed to have the 5mt front bushing... but NO it says 6 speed and has the metal rod that goes through.. so after fighting the play there (5 mt must be a larger diameter because the 6 speed bushings had a bunch of slop without the metal rod and the metal rod does not fit over the bolt... wow what a PITA to have everything disassembled and find out you have the wrong part.

So then I put the OEM one back in... whatever.Went on the the rearbushing... what a horrible design. Cobb really DID NOT get this one right. The poly bushing is not the correct size otherwise both bolts would start thread but they dont!

I started the passenger side one first then try and try and try to make the other side thread on... NO luck... just a bunch of cursing and throwing my flashlight because now I cant see jack underneath the car.

I will cool down in about an hour and 5 beers later... what a PITA... you would think that Cobb could have designed a better size bushing or at least not have the metal rods installed that go around the bolts that make it harder to line the bolt up...

**wrx650** · 01-19-2013 05:56 PM

I had some issues getting both bolts to thread on the COBB rear bushing. It took a while and some fiddling, but it eventually went in. I just had to hold the bolts at kind of a weird angle to get them to start. Good luck getting it finished!

**nsibanez** · 01-19-2013 06:09 PM

would you be able to use different bolts to make it thread in? or would that comprimise the purpose of the bushing because it doesnt fit like it's "designed" to
like if the rear bushing comes with its own bolts, maybe use the stock bolts, or if you're supposed to use stock bolts use bolts with a slightly thinner dimension?
im planning on doing this sometime down the road soon

**wrx650** · 01-19-2013 06:30 PM

I don't think that you can use the stock bolts because they are significantly shorter than the ones for the aftermarket bushing. There is plenty of clearance, its just really hard to get them lined up properly from. At least that was the issue when I did it and it sounds similar to what happened to the OP.

**nsibanez** · 01-19-2013 06:46 PM

what about using an impact gun...screw it lol

**wrx650** · 01-19-2013 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by nsibanez

what about using an impact gun...screw it lol

Only problem is you can't get the threads started lol.

**Sinister** · 01-19-2013 07:04 PM

It took a lot of effort on my KB ones for my WRX.

The angle is super weird, and you're not laying at a super easy angle either. Just have to play with it, and it'll work. Start one, and then line up the other and fiddle with it.

Good luck

**nsibanez** · 01-19-2013 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Sinister

It took a lot of effort on my KB ones for my WRX.

The angle is super weird, and you're not laying at a super easy angle either. Just have to play with it, and it'll work. Start one, and then line up the other and fiddle with it.

Good luck

I've got a lift ;p

**Sinister** · 01-19-2013 07:21 PM

That'll help you a ton when you go to do it

**rage-wrx** · 01-20-2013 06:35 AM

Yeah, my Kartboy bushings were also a PITA to get right. One bolt threads on without a problem. The second one does go on at some weird angle. Took me a lot of time to get it right.

**matsayz** · 01-20-2013 08:35 AM

So we're saying the bushings are worth the effort? Been thinking about doing this myself.

**Axex** · 01-20-2013 09:38 AM

It's a difficult install, but the COBB bushings are a similar design to the rest of the aftermarket ones. The angle it needs threading is different than what you think it is, be calm and keep trying. You will get it and it is worth it!

This page on nasioc has a little insight as to why they might have changed the design from OEM.

**chutoyy** · 01-20-2013 11:24 AM

I've lost all faith in Cobb too... I got one side to thread in, but the other was impossible.. So I took out my impact wrench and forced it in there. It ain't coming out now.

Beware of the Cobb pulleys too... you can see the O.D. of where the crank key scratches and how much they cut it.