Shift Lever and Linkage Inspection, Repair, and Adjustment
Procedure for checking, repairing, and adjusting the shift lever and transaxle linkage on 944 and 968 models, covering worn pins, bearing shells, bushings, and fore/aft and lateral alignment.
Introduction
Three shift lever designs were used across the 944 and 968 model range: the early 944 with a carpet console, the late 944 with a plastic trim console, and the 968 with a plastic trim console and revised parts. The adjustment procedure is the same for all three, but the parts and access steps differ.
The two diagrams below show the linkage component layout and the drawing ID numbers referenced in the parts tables and procedures.
Parts
944 Parts
| Part Number | Description | Drawing ID |
|---|---|---|
| 477 711 205 D | Shift Lever | 1 |
| N 012 437 3 | Lock Washer | 16 |
| 944 424 229 00 | Bearing Shell | 10 |
| 944 424 013 00 | Intermediate Shift Lever | 18 |
| 477 711 147 A | Ball Pin (2 required) | 28 |
968 Parts
| Part Number | Description | Drawing ID |
|---|---|---|
| 944 424 015 02 | Shift Lever | 1 |
| N 012 648 2 | Spring Clip | 17 |
| 944 424 231 00 | Bearing Shell | 12 |
| 944 424 013 01 | Intermediate Shift Lever | 21 |
| 999 167 046 00 | Ball Pin (2 required) | 29 |
| 944 424 041 02 | Articulated Shaft | 30 |
Removing and Checking the Shift Lever
Early 944 (carpet console):
- Remove the shift knob.
- Pull back the carpet and console trim to expose the shift lever base.
- Remove the shift lever retaining hardware.
Late 944 (plastic trim console):
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Remove the shift knob.
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Insert a flat-tip screwdriver under the edge of the boot base and pry it free from the console.
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Separate the rubber inner boot from the sound absorber beneath it.
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Remove the plastic console trim panel surrounding the shift lever.
All models — checking the lever pin:
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With the shift lever exposed, locate the C-clip and washer on the shift lever pin that connects the lever to the shift rod.
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Remove the C-clip and slide the pin out. Inspect the pin for wear — a new pin is a consistent diameter along its entire length. A worn pin has a noticeably narrower diameter in the center where it contacts the rod socket.
Replace the pin if any hourglass wear is visible. Worn pins cause imprecise shifting and excessive lever slop.
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Inspect the bearing shells (944: part 10; 968: part 12) for cracks or wear. Replace if damaged.
Removing the shift lever bearing bracket:
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Remove the rear bolt of the shift lever bearing bracket.
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Remove the front bolt of the shift lever bearing bracket.
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Lift the shift lever and bracket assembly out of the console.
Installation
Installation is the reverse of removal. Install the bearing bracket and lever, insert the lever pin through the bearing shells and into the shift rod socket, and reinstall the C-clip and washer securely. Reinstall the boot and console trim.
After installation, verify adjustment as described in the next section.
Adjusting the Shift Lever
Correct shift lever adjustment has two components: fore/aft inclination (neutral position angle) and side-to-side centering.
Neutral angle (fore/aft):
The shift lever must incline 85° toward the rear when the transmission is in neutral. There must be no side-to-side inclination in neutral — the lever must be perfectly vertical in the lateral plane.
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Place the transmission in neutral.
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Observe the shift lever angle from the side.
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Fore/aft angle is adjusted at the shift rod length. Adjust as needed to achieve 85° rearward inclination.
Side-to-side centering — 944:
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At the transaxle, locate the locknut on the intermediate shift lever.
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Loosen the locknut and move the intermediate lever in the direction needed to center the shift lever laterally. Tighten the locknut when the lever sits straight.
Side-to-side centering — 968:
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The 968 uses a turnbuckle arrangement on the intermediate shift lever with locknuts and a center adjustment piece rather than a simple locknut.
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Loosen both locknuts and rotate the center piece to adjust lever centering. Tighten both locknuts when correct.
Note: Aftermarket short-throw shifter kits are available for the 944 and 968 from several suppliers. These kits reduce throw distance and can improve shift feel, but they change the lever geometry and require their own adjustment procedure per the kit instructions.
Checking the Transaxle Linkage for Wear
At the transaxle, inspect the intermediate shift lever and its white plastic wear component for cracks, deformation, or excessive play. A worn plastic component will allow the intermediate lever to shift imprecisely and may not hold adjustment.
Replace the plastic wear component and/or the intermediate shift lever if play or damage is found. Readjust the linkage after any replacement.