W58 Question...

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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Mar 3, 2009
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Hey alls...

I have a w58 with nearly 200k on the clock... it shifts great but the shifter itself seems to have a little play... Ive driven other high mileage yotas with the same issue... so my question is.. what needs to be replaced to fix this and tighten the feel up?

Thanks
-AcId-
 

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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Mar 3, 2009
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...could I just replace the shifter bushings? It shifts great... drops into every gear with hardly any effort and doesnt have any other issues then the shifter having play...

to fix just that... requires a rebuild??

I hope not...

-AcId-
 

gaboonviper85

Supramania Contributor
Jan 13, 2008
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If it's just slop in the shifter then heck yeah you can get new shifter bushings...takes 15min to replace inside the car:)

backlash in the trans requires a rebuild..
 

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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Mar 3, 2009
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do explain said backlash....

I didnt drive the car much... 15 miles or so... some highway speed... shifted through all the gears very easily... just the shifter seemed loose... didnt make any odd noises or vibrations... or pop out of gear....

this is the tranny thats in my parts car and I think I have it sold... but I dont want to sell it to someone if its going to need to be rebuilt....

shifter bushings is not a problem.... but an overhaul would be and I wouldnt want to sell it like that... know what I mean?

-AcId-
 

gaboonviper85

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It's got 200,000 miles on it...it's old and worn which causes the gears to have play...but if the trans feels great and works then it works...plain and simple...I had to reread your post as I thought you said the trans itself has play but no rather the shifter does...that's a $20 fix with two plastic bushings
 

suprarx7nut

YotaMD.com author
Nov 10, 2006
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Ya, definitely just replace the shifter bushings with the Marlin Crawler ones.

I even had my W-58 rebuilt. No regrets. Shifts like butter and feels oh-so-tight. Paid ~900 for the rebuild and would do it again. :)
 

gaboonviper85

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suprarx7nut;1473125 said:
Ya, definitely just replace the shifter bushings with the Marlin Crawler ones.

I even had my W-58 rebuilt. No regrets. Shifts like butter and feels oh-so-tight. Paid ~900 for the rebuild and would do it again. :)

I'd have converted to r154 myself...keep in mind I daily my n/a
 

suprarx7nut

YotaMD.com author
Nov 10, 2006
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No need to convert to R154 until you get to about 350rwhp. :)

Until I reach that power mark, I'll enjoy the smooth shifting, CAR transmission that's in my 90 n/a now. Once I grow beyond what the W58 can handle, I'll swap over to the bulletproof, heavy duty truck tranny that is the R154. ;)
 

RazoE

Boobs/Boost, my favorite
Jun 13, 2006
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I just went with the green truck bushing and the white one brand new from Toyota...

33505-35020 Green truck shifter bushing/shifter seat
33548-31010 lower shifter bushing
33584-22020 shifter gasket
93381-16012 shifter bolts need 4 *optional*

cost maybe $20 for everything, I've done it for my 89 and 92; need to do the 86.5 soon..
 

shaeff

Kurt is FTMFW x2!!!!
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Mar 30, 2005
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^ The MC bushing is a significant upgrade over the green truck bushing. I've killed a few green ones, never an MC. I even have MC bushings in my Pickup. At 162k miles, the shifter feels like the day it rolled off the assembly line. ;)
 

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
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suprarx7nut;1473147 said:
Until I reach that power mark, I'll enjoy the smooth shifting, CAR transmission that's in my 90 n/a now. Once I grow beyond what the W58 can handle, I'll swap over to the bulletproof, heavy duty truck tranny that is the R154. ;)

Where do rumors like these start? The W are R series transmissions were both used in trucks as well...
 

suprarx7nut

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Poodles;1473251 said:
Where do rumors like these start? The W are R series transmissions were both used in trucks as well...

What I'm getting at is that the W58 feels more like a car tranny. The R154 is great for holding power, but it feels much more like the tranny in the early 90's 4runners than any other car.

I realize the W series was used for many applications, but its a lighter duty tranny. It feels more nimble and lighter. So, as long as I'm not at the point which will blow the W58 into pieces, I will enjoy the lighter feeling, more nimble tranny.
 

KpSupra

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Jan 17, 2008
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Also, look at the piece with the hole in it that the shifter goes through. This piece has 4 bolt holes in it and holds the shifter down in place. My W58 had 250K on it and had a very sloppy shifter even with "the big green truck" bushing, but I noticed the last time I removed it (and installed an R154) that the hole was really worn and allowing the shifter to move all over the place. I took another shifter and bolted it in place for the fun of it and it was a lot tighter.
 

Poodles

I play with fire
Jul 22, 2006
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Yes, the guide pins and the slots in the shifter ball can wear.

Think that's on of the reasons the Miata shift is so much nicer as they run another hard plastic bushing for the slot that's replacable.