5th gear pop-out after SSP install

[johnheer]

I have 110K on my 07 Speed3. I installed the JBR SSP and knob last weekend. Ever since, the tranny won't stay in 5th gear. I can shift into 5th, but it won't hold for very long and pops into neutral. I installed the SSP with the riser piece in the middle of the slit. Did I do something wrong? Have others had this problem?

I have photos of the install but haven't had time to post yet.

[KrisT_325]

Are you using the factory airbox?

Thanks,
Kris

[dubunderpar]

Readjust it more towards the drivers side. You can't just bolt it up and go, you need to have someone shift the gears while someone else is in the engine bay making adjustments. Took me 3-4 adjustments until it was perfect.

[tddvrrn]

put it as close to the stock position as possible and see if that cures the problem. then start moving it further from the stock position, driving with it to see if it still works fine and if you like the feel... repeat until happy.

also, jbr has a video posted that shows how to fine tune the shifting, which changes gate alignment (i think).. that may help as well.

[JBR]

Please keep us posted so we can assist you.

Thanks,
Jamie

[johnheer]

Yes, I'm using the stock airbox, but I put in spacers into the rubber grommets to raise it a bit from stock height and distance from the plate.

I think that putting it toward the passenger side is closer to stock and putting it closer to the driver's side is modifying it the most, correct?

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll try to take some photos and adjust things today.

[Raider]

The further back, the tighter the shifting gets. Looks like you autox, which is why you kept the stock airbox, right? I would have recommended putting an intake on too, if not. I have about 65K miles on my CAI, but I know the rules are stringent.

I would also get some white touch up paint, and put it on the top of the shifter cable, reinstall airbox. Put it through the gears while driving. Then remove the airbox, see if the cable has left paint transfer.

I am also thinking the engine movement with a stock motor mount might allow some more movement of the drivetrain, causing issues, too, but that is a stretch.

[johnheer]

I'm posting some photos (if I can figure out how) of the initial install. Each one is tagged with what gear it is in at the time of the photo, plus 2 or 3 from when I had the adjustment as close to the driver's side as possible. I adjusted after those photos so that the adjustment was in the middle of the range (which is where it is now).

I will try moving it all the way to the driver's side again and see how that works.

P.S. Yes, I live in a snowy, salt-using climate.

[JBR]

Hey John,
Everything in those pictures looks perfect. I believe it's the stock air box causing the problem. When you put the air box back in place with the spacers, just rest it in the mounting grommets, don't push it down and don't use the rubber strap that holds the front of the box in place. The air box won't go anywhere so don't worry about that.

Yes, moving the cable mounting towards the driver side makes the throw shorter and towards the passenger side makes the throw longer.

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks,
Jamie

[johnheer]

Thanks, Jamie. I am traveling for much of this week, so I can't try your suggestion yet. I'll post back here when I can get it done.

[johnheer]

Jamie,

Looks like your suggestion did the trick. I let the airbox just sit without jamming it in and without using the rubber "hook" at the top right of the box which goes up under the radiator brace. The airbox seems to be fine without being tethered to the engine bay, and 5th gear has not popped out in a day or two.

John

[JBR]

That's great John, thanks for the update. Let me know if there's anything else I can do.

Thanks,
Jamie

[johnheer]

All,

The quick fix was just that - quick and over. Started getting the pop-out again. So this time I did two things. First, I put in taller rubber grommets under the stock airbox. Second, I adjusted the tall pin that slides until it was at the end of its slot toward the driver's side (so it should be shortest throw).

The first two photos below show the "tall pin" where it was before I moved it last night. The other photos show it after I moved it to the farthest point toward the driver's side. Doesn't look like much movement, but there really is not a huge range of distance in the slot.

So far, so good. I don't notice a lot of difference in the throw, but no pop-out so far. Fingers crossed.

[bova]

man your shit is rusted. and what's with the hose? is that off the breather thing on the transmission? or is it just laying there.

[ScarMS3]

downpipe would be a nightmare...and lifting the cable like that looks like a good way to break the ends off and thats a nightmare to replace from what ive read.

[johnheer]

I drive 20K miles a year in Cleveland, Ohio -- the road salt capital of the world. Not possible to get away from rust. What hose do you mean?

[bova]

looks like there is a hose right in front of the shifter in those pics

[johnheer]

good question. I didn't pay any attention to it while I was in there.