Selector bush

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 11:09 pm

Noticed a sudden change in gearshift feel when driving the MX5 yesterday. Took the gear lever out, and sure enough, the little nylon selector bush has given up on life.
Second time it has happened, first one was 3 months after we bought the car, so this one has done a bit better at 13 years!

IMG_3098 by CaffeineAU, on Flickr

Last time I bought one (early 2002) it was $7.70ish. I wonder if Mazda still have them in stock in Australia.

Postby **Okibi** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 11:24 pm

I've replaced mine a few times, makes the shift feel like new.

Beatrush sell a metal one that's great.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Sun Feb 15, 2015 11:48 pm

Okibi wrote:I've replaced mine a few times, makes the shift feel like new.

Beatrush sell a metal one that's great.

I have a beatrush one, but it's for the 5 speed so it doesn't fit my gear stick

Postby **Okibi** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 12:01 am

6 speed, seriously take a look at the MiataRoadster SSK.

It doesn't change the throw of the shift very much but it makes the 6 speed box feel so much better, almost as good as a 5.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 7:17 am

After several mis-supplies from local Mazda dealer I probably have one in my shed if you can't get one from your local dealer.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 7:48 am

davekmoore wrote:After several mis-supplies from local Mazda dealer I probably have one in my shed if you can't get one from your local dealer.

Thanks Dave.

MX5 mania are about 1/2 an hour away, and they list them on the website. If the local Mazda dealer (5 minutes away) doesn't have it I'll try mania.

pezchops · Postby **pezchops** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:23 am

a few months ago i got one from the local dealer here for $15.50.
the cheapest ebay part was $22.
the boots direct from japan are about half the price including postage.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 9:08 am

Local Mazda dealer has ordered one in for a very reasonable price, so I will be able to change gears again shortly

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 9:48 am

Okibi wrote:I've replaced mine a few times, makes the shift feel like new.

Beatrush sell a metal one that's great.

I had a Beatrush metal one in a previous NA6. Changes started to get notchy after a few months. After removing the selector bush I found it there was a number of 'indentations' around the bush, as well as signs of high wear. I swapped an original part in and never looked back.

J

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 12:25 pm

aka_juffa wrote:I had a Beatrush metal one in a previous NA6. Changes started to get notchy after a few months. After removing the selector bush I found it there was a number of 'indentations' around the bush, as well as signs of high wear. I swapped an original part in and never looked back.

Yep, the genuine ones are Nylon for a reason, it absorbs shock and doesn't permanently deform as easily. it's also quite low friction.

Metals will dent and deform, as well as wear the gear stick faster (granted, this doesnt seem too mcuh of an issue in real life use)

jimmy_vee · Postby **jimmy_vee** » Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:41 pm

hks_kansei wrote:
aka_juffa wrote:I had a Beatrush metal one in a previous NA6. Changes started to get notchy after a few months. After removing the selector bush I found it there was a number of 'indentations' around the bush, as well as signs of high wear. I swapped an original part in and never looked back.

Yep, the genuine ones are Nylon for a reason, it absorbs shock and doesn't permanently deform as easily. it's also quite low friction.

Metals will dent and deform, as well as wear the gear stick faster (granted, this doesnt seem too mcuh of an issue in real life use)

There are also some aftermarket delrin shifter bushings around, if you are looking for other alternatives.