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Old 11-07-2022, 06:37 AM   #1
Mikku
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Member#: 528920
Join Date: Feb 2022
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2005 WRX Wagon
World rally blue

Default Hawkeye Shifter Linkage Questions

Hi guys! I have the inevitable shifter slop in my 5-speed Hawkeye WRX, so am going to replace the front and rear bushings with some from KartBoy. However, my questions relate to the shifter linkage U-joint/trunnion up front. As a later model, mine doesn’t have the riveted linkage found on earlier models, but one that bolts in. I therefore think I have the option of replacing the 4 bushings or going for a solid/brass linkage. Question 1 - will I need to remove the whole linkage (by punching out those two pins) or can I remove the inner U-joint and replace the bushings with the pins in situ? Question 2 - has anyone here fitted one of the solid/brass U-joints? If so, I'm after some feedback on what they're like, particularly from a nvh point of view.

Thanks in advance for any replies.
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Old 11-07-2022, 10:12 AM   #2
Wayne Suhrbier
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I put bronze bushings in and didn't notice any change in nvh. If anyone makes phosphor bronze bushing those will be what you want.
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Old 11-07-2022, 02:25 PM   #3
cboggess
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikku View Post
Hi guys! I have the inevitable shifter slop in my 5-speed Hawkeye WRX, so am going to replace the front and rear bushings with some from KartBoy. However, my questions relate to the shifter linkage U-joint/trunnion up front. As a later model, mine doesn’t have the riveted linkage found on earlier models, but one that bolts in. I therefore think I have the option of replacing the 4 bushings or going for a solid/brass linkage. Question 1 - will I need to remove the whole linkage (by punching out those two pins) or can I remove the inner U-joint and replace the bushings with the pins in situ? Question 2 - has anyone here fitted one of the solid/brass U-joints? If so, I'm after some feedback on what they're like, particularly from a nvh point of view.

Thanks in advance for any replies.
On a 5MT you can drop it down into 2nd which will get you JUST enough room to pull the horizontal bolt, BUT that does vary from car to car so try it first, otherwise you'll have to punch out the pin, keep in mind it's actually 2 pins, but treat them as one, and I think that's enough for this run-on sentence thank you and have a nice day.
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Old 11-08-2022, 08:56 AM   #4
Mikku
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Default

Thanks for the replies, run-on sentences and all!

Yeah, I saw one of the YouTube videos where the guy loosened/lowered the transmission crossmember then used a crowbar to lever the transmission to give a little more space to remove that bolt. Sounds like a fun job, especially on axle stands but then, from what I've seen, punching out those two pins isn't much fun either!! Time to order some parts and give it a go, I guess!! Thanks again.

Last edited by Mikku; 11-08-2022 at 05:09 PM.
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Old 11-08-2022, 11:02 AM   #5
Wayne Suhrbier
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If you end up removing the pins making a tool to hold/extend the pin when driving it back inn helps a lot. I used a 6" piece of 1/2" square steel and drilled holes in each end matching the diameter of each of the pins.
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Old 11-08-2022, 11:46 AM   #6
cboggess
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne Suhrbier View Post
If you end up removing the pins making a tool to hold/extend the pin when driving it back inn helps a lot. I used a 6" piece of 1/2" square steel and drilled holes in each end matching the diameter of each of the pins.
Just use an extension and flip it over. Hold the pin with the "cup" and hammer the other end.
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Old 11-08-2022, 05:12 PM   #7
Mikku
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Thanks guys. The more I read, the more I think I'm going to have to tackle those pins. Will report back as and when I have a go.
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Old 03-31-2023, 06:30 PM   #8
Mikku
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World rally blue

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So, six months later, with this week off work and warm, sunny weather, I decided to finally get on and fix the sloppy gear shifter linkage on my WRX wagon. Working under the car with axle stands up front, I decided I'd be better off removing the transmission crossmember to give me more access to everything. That also gave me the excuse to fit some Kartboy crossmember bushings and a Whiteline transmission mount insert, along with KB's uprated shifter bushings.

Thankfully all of the crossmember bolts and nuts came off without any drama (I read a lot about snapping bolts), which was a good start. Next up was the dreaded spring pin/roll pin that I’d read and watched so much about. It didn’t disappoint! The inner pin wasn’t too bad once I got it started but the larger, outer pin was more difficult, made more so by not having any metal punches. I therefore had to improvise with what I had, including making a couple of makeshift punches out of metal rods. After much cussing and swearing. it finally came out and I was able to remove the entire assembly up through the transmission tunnel and out of the car. This made fitting the KB shifter bushings much easier.

I was also able to have a closer look at the stock shifter linkage, which was missing any sign of the original bushings, so these must have disintegrated, which explained why the slop was so bad. First job was to replace the stock bushings on the new OEM linkage with some upgraded bushings from TIC, which should hopefully add a few more years of life. Back under the car and after an initial struggle to get the linkage back on to the shaft, it was time to revisit the pins. The outer pin again proved to be a real pita and I can understand why some people call it the bitch pin! I sanded one end to help get it started then, little by little, and after more cussing and swearing, several coffee breaks and a vanilla ice-cream, it finally went in. Thankfully, once again, the inner pin was much easier by comparison.

The transmission mount was one of the easiest jobs. After cleaning up the OEM mount and greasing the Whiteline insert, it pressed in fully after a few minutes. I then cleaned up the bolts, and it was soon back on the car. The crossmember was more awkward. After cutting the “nibs” off two of the KB bushings and replacing the stock bushings, I had to abort my first re-installation attempt after realising that the exhaust was preventing me from inserting one of the two front bolts. I therefore had to undo and wiggle everything to put the bolt back in through the bushings, then mount everything up again.

So with everything torqued up, it was time to give everything a test run. The first and most noticeable thing was the gear shift. Quite simply, worlds apart from what it was, and with the upgraded KB bushings, so much better than before the linkage bushings had disintegrated. Am VERY happy with the result!

With the KB crossmember bushings and Whiteline trans mount insert being fitted at the same time, it’s difficult to say what did what, if anything, but the car feels a little firmer, if that’s the right word, with just a hint of additional NVH. It wasn't a long test drive and nor could I really put my foot down, so that's the aim this weekend. But man, that gearshift is so sweet. Well worth the effort.
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Old 08-14-2023, 06:17 AM   #9
Mikku
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Join Date: Feb 2022
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Location: Japan
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2005 WRX Wagon
World rally blue

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Just a quick update. Four months down the line, I'm still loving the uprated/upgraded shifter linkage. One of the YouTubers who'd done a similar job described his new shift as being like a bolt action rifle and I'd definitely agree, particularly with the shortened KB shifter and WC Lathe knob fitted to my wagon. I've also had no issues with the Whiteline trans mount insert or the KB crossmember bushings. All-in-all, a great upgrade.
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