Car Problem - Gear stick came loose on me

[Murpheeee]

I have a '93 Mazda 323. 5 speed. 95K miles

When I started driving, I just left my driveway and was changing from 1st to 2nd gear, suddendly the gear stick felt like it came loose. I felt it literally drop a couple of inches in my hand and went all wobbly.

I managed to nurse it back to my house, it can still shift gears as long as you hold the stick up while you drive it seems to shift normally....but if you let go, it drops back down and flops around.

I have no idea what happened or whats involved in repairing......

Anyone advise?

 

[Murpheeee]

anyone?

is it safe to drive 5 miles to repair shop?

 

[Jzero]

I managed to nurse it back to my house, it can still shift gears as long as you hold the stick up while you drive it seems to shift normally....but if you let go, it drops back down and flops around.

I have no idea what happened or whats involved in repairing......

Anyone advise?

It sounds like a personal problem

 

[Murpheeee]

yeah yeah...drop a couple Viagra in the gas tank...right?


Seriously, Help!

 

[Thegonagle]

From your description, you have a shaft type linkage, as opposed to a cable operated linkage. The stick pivots on a ball joint mounted in what would otherwise be a big hole in the floor of the car. The means by which the ball is held in its socket has broken, or somehow given way. I would guess under an hour labor, but I can't even guess at parts.

It will be safe to drive just as you were if you look underneath the car before you drive it and see that the linkage is not hanging too close to the ground. You don't want that thing to drag and catch on anything, because things could get expensive in an instant if the linkage is damaged, or worse, forcibly separated from the transmission.