These articles were posted earlier but have since become submerged in the recesses of the forum. I have reposted them as part of a unified topic that, as such, should be more useful to our members interested in pursuing these mods.
Polyurethane Transmission Stabilizer Bar Bushings
These bushings only fit 1999 to 2003 Proteges and their variants (MP3, P5, and MSP). They will not fit earlier models which use a smaller diameter version.
This polyurethane two-piece bushing set is meant to replace the one-piece OEM rubber bushing at the transmission end of the extension bar (the bar used to couple the shifter mechanism to the transmission housing, sometimes called the stabilizer bar), not the change control, or shift rod, which transfers motion from the shift lever to the shifting forks enabling gear changes to be made. In other words, it's similar to the pair of polyurethane bushings that KartBoy used to sell. It’s also similar to the nyloil (oil-impregnated nylon) bushing set that one of our members, Maz1.8T, previously sold on our Forum, along with the smaller diameter set for earlier Proteges. Currently, the nyloil bushings don’t seem to be in production. These are excellent bushings, BTW, and I currently have a set of four nyloils installed on my change control rod.
I installed the KartBoy polyurethane bushings on my car some time ago and have written at length on the forums about the noticeably improved shifting response due to the more rigid coupling they provide between the two components. The increase in rigidity reduces play and wasted motion in the stick and improves the overall shifting experience.
I strongly advise any 3rd gen owner to install a set even if no other shifting mod is contemplated. They are easy to install and well-worth their modest cost. If future mods in this area are planned, this is a good first step.
Although no longer available from KartBoy, fortunately they are available from TWM Performance, and can easily be purchased from their website. The current cost is US $36.95. For purchase, go to:
http://www.twmperformance.com/bushingkits/index.htm
Corksport is another vendor who sells stabilizer bar bushings although they label them incorrectly as Shifter Bushings for Protege. They are Code: 99p-9-015 and the current cost is US $30. For purchase, go to:
Happy Motoring!
Photo 1: My spare set of KartBoy bushings. The TWM bushings are virtually identical in appearance.
Photo 2: The polyurethane bushing set installed on my car. The bushings and the forward end of the extension bar are supported by a threaded stud screwed into the transmission case. The flanged fixing nut and the two large flat washers are OEM parts reused after removing the OEM rubber bushing, along with the sleeve placed between the stud and the bushings (invisible in the photo). The FSM torque setting for the flanged fixing nut is 28-38 ft/lbs (38-51 Nm).
Polyurethane Transmission Stabilizer Bar Bushings
These bushings only fit 1999 to 2003 Proteges and their variants (MP3, P5, and MSP). They will not fit earlier models which use a smaller diameter version.
This polyurethane two-piece bushing set is meant to replace the one-piece OEM rubber bushing at the transmission end of the extension bar (the bar used to couple the shifter mechanism to the transmission housing, sometimes called the stabilizer bar), not the change control, or shift rod, which transfers motion from the shift lever to the shifting forks enabling gear changes to be made. In other words, it's similar to the pair of polyurethane bushings that KartBoy used to sell. It’s also similar to the nyloil (oil-impregnated nylon) bushing set that one of our members, Maz1.8T, previously sold on our Forum, along with the smaller diameter set for earlier Proteges. Currently, the nyloil bushings don’t seem to be in production. These are excellent bushings, BTW, and I currently have a set of four nyloils installed on my change control rod.
I installed the KartBoy polyurethane bushings on my car some time ago and have written at length on the forums about the noticeably improved shifting response due to the more rigid coupling they provide between the two components. The increase in rigidity reduces play and wasted motion in the stick and improves the overall shifting experience.
I strongly advise any 3rd gen owner to install a set even if no other shifting mod is contemplated. They are easy to install and well-worth their modest cost. If future mods in this area are planned, this is a good first step.
Although no longer available from KartBoy, fortunately they are available from TWM Performance, and can easily be purchased from their website. The current cost is US $36.95. For purchase, go to:
http://www.twmperformance.com/bushingkits/index.htm
Corksport is another vendor who sells stabilizer bar bushings although they label them incorrectly as Shifter Bushings for Protege. They are Code: 99p-9-015 and the current cost is US $30. For purchase, go to:
Happy Motoring!
Photo 1: My spare set of KartBoy bushings. The TWM bushings are virtually identical in appearance.
Photo 2: The polyurethane bushing set installed on my car. The bushings and the forward end of the extension bar are supported by a threaded stud screwed into the transmission case. The flanged fixing nut and the two large flat washers are OEM parts reused after removing the OEM rubber bushing, along with the sleeve placed between the stud and the bushings (invisible in the photo). The FSM torque setting for the flanged fixing nut is 28-38 ft/lbs (38-51 Nm).
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