my 2002 mazda tribute dx (187k miles) developed a "sloppy/loose" shifter after a hydraulic cable failure at about 165k miles. I did some research online, and replaced 2 bushings along the shift mechanism, but the sloppy shifter remains. the vehicle still shifts through all 5 gears and reverse, but I miss the tight shifting that it had for years. is there something I'm missing? why would the vehicle suffer such an issue after having the broken hydraulic fixed? can this issue be repaired?
Pull up the shift lever boot inside the car and look at the pivot point of the shift lever itself for another nylon or other plastic bushing of some kind.
what's a hydraulic cable? 😳
That's exactly what I wanted to know in my first answer, @mmj. So far, no response from the OP. Obviously, great minds think alike!
What exact hydraulic cable are you talking about? What shift bushings did you replace?
don't know which hydo cable was replaced (what the transmission place told me). was driving down the road when all gears were lost in the middle of town. had it towed to local trans business. bushings were related to linkage below auto. would upload images but not seeing a link to do so.
how to share photos:
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/read-this-first/#post-183035
reference bushings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ackazHBCKBI&t=227s