HELP!!! Re-installing the gear shift mechanism.

[larryo108]

First, sorry to start another thread about the dash, but I am stuck here.

Second, I was nuts enough to do this.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s132/larryo108/Car/7CCFA758-2B59-4198-BC40-50EDA843007B-5847-00000406F954550A.jpg

To replace this.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s132/larryo108/Car/1CD2EB5F-114E-4C83-8BEE-5349A1B9D45C-5847-0000040702C84D16.jpg

Finally, I have it almost all put back together, but I am stuck with the gear shift mechanism. I was using the Honda Service Manual to remove all of this. Now when it got the shift mechanism is lacking to put it nicely. Simply providing a diagram with no instructions. So when I got to that point, I saw the picture and just started removing. It all came out fine, but it is not going in so nicely. I got one of the shift cables installed. The one to the left of the shifter. Now I am trying to put the right-hand cable on and it seems short. I can't get it onto the base at the bottom of the mechanism.

Here is something esle to throw into the mix. I am not sure that the tranny is in neutral. I believe I had it in gear, when I took it all out and I am not sure whether it was in first or reverse. It is in my driveway, so it wouldn't be anything else.

So here are my questions. Should the shifter have been in neutral when I started? If so, and I am too late to fix that now, is there inything I can do at the other end to get it into neutral? Or maybe the bigger question is does it matter?

Like I said, I do have one cable on and in place, but I am assuming it would screw something pretty big if I tried to shift it with only one cable.

Please help my stupid ass. I don't know where else to turn. Thank you all.

[larryo108]

OK. I may have put the car in neutral before I started. I released the parking brake and was able to roll down the driveway. So fairly certain I am in neutral, still can't get the damn cable on though.

[Ba82Ep3]

Make sure the cables arent crossed over each other... or twisted. You can move the shift shaft assembly on top of the trans (under the airbox) by hand and you wont mess anything up in the transmission. This should allow more room for you cable wise to finish the install...

[larryo108]

I actually thought the cables may be crossed, but when I flipped them I ended up with the same problem. I will see if I can get any more play by messing with the shift shaft. Thanks.

[larryo108]

Alright, I was able to get get it all back together. But now it seems I can't get into all gears. Would that mean the cables are reversed or a bigger problem. What is the neutral position on the shift bar?

[larryo108]

It appears I had the cables reversed. Got it all back together. Now I can button it all up. Thanks for the help.

[Ba82Ep3]

You get it all figured out? Just saw the new posts...

[larryo108]

I think so. Gonna go grab some dinner in a bit. We'll see for sure.

[larryo108]

First and reverse worked fine. Car still scrapes like hell getting out of the driveway, because I ran out of time to install the coilovers.

[larryo108]

Well drove up to se my brother for dinner. Everything was fine. The Depo's have a crazy sharp cutoff, but I may have to align them. That will no doubt be a bitch as well.

[Her-Name's-Ally]

http://www.mtecind.com/diy/shift-spring-install/

just ignore the spring changing part

[larryo108]

Thanks Ally. That will be good for the future in case I need it. But it turns out I had the cables reversed. Flipped them and reinstalled everything and I am golden. It felt like it even shifted more smoothly. But that probably means it is about to completely blow up on me. Hahahaha.

[Ba82Ep3]

lol

I take an assload of pix as i take things apart... if anything just to have as a reference. The OE manual can be pretty vague about certain things, sometimes you end up breaking new ground and having to do it on your own. Im glad it worked out... youre a brave man... pulling a dash can be a PITA.