JHM finally installed, some concerns

[sKwared]

As the title suggests, I finally installed the JHM short shifter I purchased last year. With the installation video provided, the install is actually pretty straight forward. The challeneges arise when it comes time to adjust the shifter. It's a huge pain in the rear.

Even using the angle wheel, it took me over an hour to get the adjustment such that I could find all of the gears. And no matter how it's adjusted, the lower adjustment bracket hits the bottom side of the upper bracket (passenger side, forward rear slider) when shifting into second. Hits it so much so that it actually took a chunk out of the platic mold nefore I realized it. Has anyone else ever encountered this?? (Note, I was able to resolve the bracket collision by adding washers to the upper adjustment bracket, but it seems somewhat low budget)

That said, the car is back together and driveable. The overall feel over the stock unit is a huge improvement (definitely very "solid"), however I have some concerns. First of all the bracket issue above. Second, this thing makes for some very loud clunky sounding shifts -so much so that my girlfriend commented on the shift noise when test driving. Also, it seems as though shifts into the lower gears (by lower I mean closer to the rear of the car, 2,4,6) seem to require a good bit more effort than the stock unit. A stronger pull is now required.

In summary, I'm curious if any other owners have encountered fitment issues, increased noise, or an increase in force required to shift as outlined above. To be fair, I should point out that this is my first experience with an aftermarket short shifter unit.

Any input would be appreciated.

[JMG]

I cant picture what you are describing when shifting to second. Try posting some pics.

Did you reinstall all the sound deadening material?

[B18b1ex]

I'm not sure about this SSK but the one on my car was not adjusted properly and killed the second gear synchro ( I think the part was like $800-900). The dealer fixed because they installed. I'd be careful, until you are sure it's right.

[jester7677]

SKwared,

I would say that you need to further adjust. I did not understand this at all...

"Even using the angle wheel, it took me over an hour to get the adjustment such that I could find all of the gears. And no matter how it's adjusted, the lower adjustment bracket hits the bottom side of the upper bracket (passenger side, forward rear slider) when shifting into second. Hits it so much so that it actually took a chunk out of the platic mold nefore I realized it. Has anyone else ever encountered this?? (Note, I was able to resolve the bracket collision by adding washers to the upper adjustment bracket, but it seems somewhat low budget)."

You sure you did not put something in backwards?
What is the angle of the black bottom metal piece? From above, does it angle / ?
What degree back and right do you have and how much room at the top bolt inch wise?

[MattboyR32]

I gave up on the JHM & got a Stratmosphere one instead cause it was so hard to get the adjustment for the gear selection correct. That being said, if installed properly it shouldn't be touching/damaging anything.

[2PUTT]

there should be no extra effort when shifting. i would get the install correct before you cause any further damage.

[sKwared]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I cant imagine how I couldve done something wrong on the install, but it clearly isnt the norm. I also dont really know how to further explain the brackets hitting one another...

There is the lower adjustment bracket that has the silver metal piece and screw on top. When shifting into second gear, this piece naturally moves to the right, forward, and ever so slightly upward in direction. Unfortunately there doesnt seem to be enough clearance on mine, as this motion into second gear causes the screw on the top of this piece to hit the under side of the bracket that slides the entire assembly forward/backward.

I've taken the unit out twice and cant see anything out of the norm. I'll try to get some pictures up tonight for review. If any of you have pictures of your JHM installed for comparison, I'd very appreciative.

Edit: For those who asked what degrees I was adjusting the shifter, I was aiming for precisely 3 degrees center of right and 7 degrees back, as advised by the JHM video. Unfortunately this got me nowhere even close to finding all the gears.

[VR2V8]

I understand exactly what you are saying. I saw the same thing happen until I finally got the adjustment correct. That bolt on top would actually get caught on the black shifter bracket and prevent some gears from being selected. If it's installed correctly, it should just be a matter of adjustment. This is what makes it such a pain in the ass. Not only do you have to adjust it so you have every gear, but it also has to not get caught up on anything and the bearing has to not run out of range of motion. I didn't have an angle finder, so I adjusted mine about 25-30 times when I installed it before I got it right. About half of those adjustments I had every gear, but it still wasn't right. What I'm trying to say is that just because you have every gear, it doesn't necessarily mean the adjustment is correct.

One other thing to check is that you don't have the shifter backwards. When you take off the shift knob, the notch/flat side on the JHM shifter rod should be on the driver's side of the car. If it isn't, you have to take the whole thing back out so you can flip it around.

You also want to make sure that you greased up the slider rods sufficiently and they slide smoothly. Make sure they are lined up evenly and the snap rings are locking them in the right position. If they're not exactly right, your entire shifter base might be hanging up at those points and not moving where it should when you shift.

One other thing specifically mentioned in the install video is the placement of the base. I think he said he likes about a 1/4" gap of that screw slot in front of that upper mounting bolt. You might have the entire base too far forward or back.

Good luck.

[Eddie Man]

One other thing to check is that you don't have the shifter backwards. When you take off the shift knob, the notch/flat side on the JHM shifter rod should be on the driver's side of the car. If it isn't, you have to take the whole thing back out so you can flip it around.

This is exactly the problem...
Do this and adjustment can happen within minutes.

[sKwared]

This is exactly the problem...
Do this and adjustment can happen within minutes.

I wish it were that simple. Double checked (triple checked actually) and it's definitely installed correctly in that regard.

I should point out though that despite being on the correct side, the flat part of the shaft seems to be rotated slightly counter clockwise and not sitting centered..

[Eddie Man]

I wish it were that simple. Double checked (triple checked actually) and it's definitely installed correctly in that regard.

I should point out though that despite being on the correct side, the flat part of the shaft seems to be rotated slightly counter clockwise and not sitting centered..

That being said, you definitely have it flip on the wrong side.

The reason why I know this is I've done exactly what you've done.
I reinstalled it by flipping over the bracket on the shaft and it worked perfectly.

[sKwared]

Eddie Man

Can you explain in more detail? The way I have it installed currently, the flat part is on the drivers side, just very slightly rotated off center in a counter clockwise direction (picture the flat part of the shaft pointing forward to about 11:30 and the rear at 5:30).

If I flip the bracket wont that put the flat section on the passenger side?

[VR2V8]

Eddie Man

Can you explain in more detail? The way I have it installed currently, the flat part is on the drivers side, just very slightly rotated off center in a counter clockwise direction (picture the flat part of the shaft pointing forward to about 11:30 and the rear at 5:30).

If I flip the bracket wont that put the flat section on the passenger side?

He's not saying to rotate the shaft to flip the bracket. He's saying to unbolt the hinged black metal bracket from the shaft, flip it over, and put it back on. Your shifter was pre-assembled when you got, but it looks as if it might have been pre-assembled backwards. If this is the problem, flipping it should put the flat section of the shaft spot on the 9:00 position where it should be.

[sKwared]

He's not saying to rotate the shaft to flip the bracket. He's saying to unbolt the hinged black metal bracket from the shaft, flip it over, and put it back on. Your shifter was pre-assembled when you got, but it looks as if it might have been pre-assembled backwards. If this is the problem, flipping it should put the flat section of the shaft spot on the 9:00 position where it should be.

Ahhhh, I see. Sorry, I'm a bit slow at times.

The shaft coming off of that black bracket is welded such that it has a slight angle to it. Should that angle to the right or to the left if installed properly? It angles to the right currently. If I remove/flip the bracket, it seems it would angle to the left and be difficult to attach to the adjustment bracket..

[drexplode]

for reference here is the eddieman install thread:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...05#post1570105

[Eddie Man]

Ahhhh, I see. Sorry, I'm a bit slow at times.

The shaft coming off of that black bracket is welded such that it has a slight angle to it. Should that angle to the right or to the left if installed properly? It angles to the right currently. If I remove/flip the bracket, it seems it would angle to the left and be difficult to attach to the adjustment bracket..

The proper orientation when assembled should be as follows when you have the shifter laying on a work bench:
- Bracket pointing right
- Reverse hook on the right
- Shifter knob slot on the left
- Bolt through bracket and shaft from right to left w/nut fastened on the left (this is not highly important but allows for maximum clearance).

I hope this clears things up.

[sKwared]

Thanks again, Eddie Man.

Considering the layout you posted, everything is installed correctly and brackets do not need to be flipped, as that's exactly how mine is currently. I guess there's just an adjustment issue, though I feel I've tried every way possible. Back to adjusting...

[Eddie Man]

Thanks again, Eddie Man.

Considering the layout you posted, everything is installed correctly and brackets do not need to be flipped, as that's exactly how mine is currently. I guess there's just an adjustment issue, though I feel I've tried every way possible. Back to adjusting...

Here's what works for me when it comes to adjusting any SS kit:
Just some minor tweeking is all you need to do...
The attachment of the JHM Shifter to the shift linkage needs only minor adjustment.
First of all, find "N" and leave it there.
One clue is that your setting is not right is that this position should technically be completely plumb (straight up/down & left/right).
Loosen the bottom bolt (the one attaching to the shift linkage) just enough to allow movement of the JHM SS.
Now move the shifter to plumb.
Retighten that bolt but not completely just to secure non-movement of the JHM SS to the linkage.
Check for shift positions (R-1-2-3-4-5-6).
If not right, just tweek the setting ever so slightly.
You will notice as you move that setting, even just a slight bit, it will either better the shifts or worsen it.
Do this till you get it just to your liking.
Once there, fully tighten that bottom bolt.
Done :)

I've put in a dozen of these SS kits and the JHM is truly a quality piece.
All SS kits need proper tweeking.
I hope this helps.
Good luck.

[earhythmic]

I had the exact same problem installing mine. accidentally put it in backwards. Another things to look for is:

make sure the "bend" in the shifter is pointed to the rear of the car (easy to realize this)

here's the annoying one-

the part that connect to the shifter linkage is actually cocked slightly to the right. look at your stock shift really carefully and you'll see what I'm talking about. When I first put mine in it was cocked the wrong way (to the left) and to get everything correct I actually had to unbolt that piece and flip it. After that, everything was cake.