Noob self repair question.

[_Aramchek_]

Ok,I was driving up a hill today and went to downshift only to discover that I couldn't.

 

After getting stopped and taking a look I discovered that the bolt/pin/w/e holding the linkage had broken or came loose.

 

After taking a good look at it I figured I could probably fix this myself,I called my grandfathers mechanic for some advice beforehand to see if there was a specific bolt or whatever that I needed for it,he didn't know off-hand but told me a case hardened bolt would probably work at least long enough for him to look over it in a few days when he has the time.

 

So after finding a good enough size bolt and all I managed to put it together,now at this point I noticed that there really isn't all that much of the bolt sticking through the nut.

 

My question is,do you think that really will be ok for a couple days or should I be worried?

 

The bolt IS as tight as I could get it and it seems to me that there really shouldn't be too much stress on the bolt as long as I don't shift like a madman,so will that be ok for a while?

 

 

Oh and before this there was a lot of play in the shifter,when I took it apart I noticed that the bolt on the shifter side didn't even have a nut on it:banghead: ,so I replaced that with the same nut bolt combo and now it feels like a completely different car when shifting.:cool:

[mtsmiths]

Good for you Armachek, sounds like you're done to me.

 

Now, get back when you can't rurn off your parking lights, and we'll explain all about the 'Subaru Virgin Switch'.

 

Welcome to the board.

[_Aramchek_]

Good for you Armachek, sounds like you're done to me.

 

Now, get back when you can't rurn off your parking lights, and we'll explain all about the 'Subaru Virgin Switch'.

 

Welcome to the board.

 

You mean the switch up on top of the steering column?,yeah that got me for a few minutes one night heheh.

[robm]

I

noticed that there really isn't all that much of the bolt sticking through the nut.

 

If there is any part of the bolt sticking THROUGH the nut, you are OK. Even one thread is enough.

 

If it isn't long enough to stick through, then you might have a problem.

 

But this thing is loaded in shear anyway, so it might do for a while.

 

I would worry about it working loose, either way. Blue Loctite would hold it nicely.

[_Aramchek_]

 

If there is any part of the bolt sticking THROUGH the nut, you are OK. Even one thread is enough.

 

If it isn't long enough to stick through, then you might have a problem.

 

But this thing is loaded in shear anyway, so it might do for a while.

 

I would worry about it working loose, either way. Blue Loctite would hold it nicely.

 

Ah yeah,Loctite! forgot all about that stuff.

 

There are probably 2-4 threads through,so that calms my worries a bit.

 

I would have used the bolt from the top of the linkage down in the lower bit except I live in a somewhat rural area and couldn't readily purchase a nut that would work on the old bolt since I couldn't drive anywhere.

 

The bolts I got do look pretty comparable to the one from the top of the linkage though.

[subie94]

Oh and before this there was a lot of play in the shifter,when I took it apart I noticed that the bolt on the shifter side didn't even have a nut on it:banghead: ,so I replaced that with the same nut bolt combo and now it feels like a completely different car when shifting.:cool:

 

 

my shifter's the same way(floppy when in gear)i'm gonna have to check,maybe i have the same problem.

 

You mean the switch up on top of the steering column?,

 

i don't have one on my steering column,does anyone know where mine is??! :-p

[_Aramchek_]

my shifter's the same way(floppy when in gear)i'm gonna have to check,maybe i have the same problem.

 

 

 

i don't have one on my steering column,does anyone know where mine is??! :-p

 

It looks to me like someone had the shifter apart and just didn't remember to put the nut back on or something,but it's a good place to start...the nut on yours could be really loose or something.

 

 

Well the switch is kind of behind the steering wheel on top of the column for me,dunno about in other subaru's as this is my first one.