08 Transmission Hard To Shift

SynME · Apr 14, 2009

I got one of the first '08s in 2007, so I've had the care about 1.5 years. The transmission started off hard to shift into gear, but I just chalked it up to the type of car. I did install the Cobb shifter bushings and a short shifter, but ensured the actual throw length from the knob to the linkage was not that much shorter than the original.

The ammusing part is that installing the short-shifter and bushings made it EASIER to get the car into gear, but it is still quite hard. I cannot just slide from one gear into the next. I end up being forced to stop and slowly press the gear into the next gear. This makes any kind of performance shifting or down-shifting VERY hard, and has resulted in a few grinding gear moments.

I have tried out two different 08 WRX models with the stock transmissions (Perrin's example car in their show-room, and a dealership) and those trannies just slide like butter. Is there some adjustment on the transmission that makes it like this, or do I really have an issue with the transmission?

I'm taking the car into the dealership on Thursday to have it looked, and I'd like some feedback on this issue.

Thanks!

brfatal · Apr 14, 2009

Did you do the cutting that Cobb told you to do when installing that short shifter?

wrxloaf08 · Apr 14, 2009

I had alot of issues with the COBB short shift in my 08. The instructions sent weren't for the 08 as I ended up breaking the grease ball it sits in to get it in.

Cutting? no idea on that but my shifter works fine, just sucked breaking rubber to push it in. (08 have to drop a release ring from underneath)

Cobb apparently no longer sells their short shifts. Shady imo.

SynME · Apr 14, 2009

wrxloaf08 said:
The instructions sent weren't for the 08 as I ended up breaking the grease ball it sits in to get it in.

Cutting? no idea on that but my shifter works fine, just sucked breaking rubber to push it in. (08 have to drop a release ring from underneath)

Word of advice... if it don't go, don't force it.

Of course, if I followed that advice with my shifter, I wouldn't even move. Guess it's a case-by-case scenario.

Sinister · Apr 14, 2009

he said it was same before the SS install brfatal.

I don't know what to tell you buddy. It's definitely a good idea to have the dealership look at it. Let us know how it goes on thursday!

SynME · Apr 14, 2009

Yeah, like I said, the issue was present *before* installing the short-shifter and shift bearings.

I think the "cutting" you are referring to was the stamped sheet-steel plate that is placed around the hole leading down into the shifting rod area. You have to cut the inside of the left-forward section a bit to make clearance for the shifter arm as raising the arm to decrease the throw causes them to interfere. As you probably already guessed, yes, I did this and I ensured the clearances were such that the arm did not rub.

This issue was worse before installing the Cobb upgrades to the point where sometimes I could not even get into first gear at a rest. I would have to try two or three times (popping the clutch to rotate the drive gears a bit), and then force it into gear. The hardened shifter bearings caused the control arm linkage to firm up, enabling me to better work the gears into place.

On an off note, AccessPORT FTW. Installed that yesterday. It eliminated the jerking acceleration which has plagued my car since day one. The ECU mapper(s) who made the stock ECU map should be flogged for that one.

08 Transmission Hard To Shift

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