The shifter lever on the transmission should be pretty solid while shifting gears.  If you are able to pull the shifter knob/lever up&down or twist it significantly, the shifter bushings are shot.  There are a pair of "plastic" bushings that surround the pivot ball on the shifter lever.  The bushings tend to get chewed up and fall down into the transmission extension housing.

Mazdatrix has a write-up on replacing the shifter bushings...
http://www.mazdatrix.com/faq/shiftbsh.htm



Questions?  Comments?  Send mail to:  reted@fc3spro.com

10/14/2004