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Old 07-06-2015, 01:37 PM   #1
Flat4Boxer
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Default Reverse Lockout Rattle Fix

Hey everyone,
I have a 2015 WRX 6MT and like most of you, I couldn't wait to start modding it when it arrived from Japan. First on my list of mods were the easy ones.
-Perrin Brass Shifter Bushing
-Perrin Shifter Stop

I figured these would be a good starting point because they are inexpensive and according to most reviews online, make a noticeable difference in the shifter feel.

I went ahead and installed these, and they were excellent additions to the car as promised, but the addition of the shifter stop created an issue. The reverse lockout collar made a junky noise when it ran into the new shifter stop.

At first, I tried to remedy the issue by creating an electrical tape collar around the shift handle, sliding it down into the reverse lockout slightly. This didn't work. Apparently, the contact point causing the sound was farther down than the electrical tape could reach. I also noticed that if you try to shove the electrical tape down any farther, it will impede the motion of the reverse lockout.

I tried adding more lithium grease into the reverse lockout but this only made things worse. Since the collar was still free to move around, the grease started making gross noises as it slopped back and forth over itself inside the reverse lockout collar.

Finally, after looking at other shifters with reverse lockouts that had bushings on the shift handle to prevent side-to-side movement of the reverse lockout, it hit me.

Use an o-ring.

In my toolbox, I had one of those assortment boxes of AC o-rings I had purchased several years ago when I was repairing the AC in my old Outback. After removing the shift knob, I took the smallest o-ring in the box and stretched it over the shift handle, shimmying it down the handle until it was on top of the electrical tape collar I had created previously. I used a small multi-tool to slide the o-ring slightly down into the reverse lockout, then made sure the reverse lockout could move up and down overtop of the o-ring, but that it was snug. Once I determined that it could, I used the multi-tool to shove the o-ring farther down into the reverse lockout, until it rolled down past the edge of the electrical tape collar. Once this happened, I again tested the movement of the reverse lockout and it was perfect. Not only did the reverse lockout operate normally, but the side-to-side movement of the reverse lockout and the resulting junky sound of it slamming against the Perrin Shifter Stop was gone. I believe the electrical tape collar prevents the o-ring from being rolled back up the shift handle by the upward motion of the reverse lockout so I left it on.

*Here is a picture of the electrical tape collar I put on. Unfortunately I didn't think to take a picture of the o-ring while I was trying it out and you can't see it, since it's down inside the reverse lockout now.



*For best results when creating the electrical tape collar, use new vinyl electrical tape that hasn't been exposed to heat. Rip off a small strip of electrical tape just long enough to wrap around the shift handle without overlapping itself more than 1/4 inch. Apply the electrical tape to shift handle ADHESIVE-SIDE UP (Non-adhesive side against shift handle) so that you can slide it downward, partially into the reverse lockout collar. Then, rip off another strip of electrical tape of equal length and cut it in half (width-ways). Use the half-width strip of electrical tape to secure the top of the electrical tape collar to the shift handle (so, attach it with half of the adhesive-side stuck to the shift lever and half of it stuck to the electrical tape collar.)*

Then, test-fit and install the o-ring.

Hopefully this helps for anyone out there who is as obsessive as I am when it comes to mitigating noises.
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Old 07-08-2015, 07:24 PM   #2
Yorker1127
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Did it yesterday and worked for me!
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Old 07-10-2015, 09:35 AM   #3
Flat4Boxer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yorker1127 View Post
Did it yesterday and worked for me!
Awesome! I'm glad it helped!
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Old 08-05-2015, 11:22 AM   #4
nsutherl
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Noticed this noise the day after I installed the Perrin shifter stop and bushing. At first I thought it was the shifter stop coming loose or something, but then I remembered you mentioning this in another thread.

I'll be doing this fix this week. Any tips on o-ring size before I go the hardware store?
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Old 12-02-2015, 12:49 PM   #5
shamrock 05
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Ok I tried the O-ring trick and it keeps rolling up when I lift up on the reverse lock out. I guess im not understanding the "electrical tape" part......can anyone clarify that?
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Old 12-18-2015, 10:29 AM   #6
Flat4Boxer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nsutherl View Post
I'll be doing this fix this week. Any tips on o-ring size before I go the hardware store?
Small enough to fit down between the shift lever and the reverse lockout without interfering with the smooth movement of the reverse lockout.


Quote:
Originally Posted by shamrock 05 View Post
Ok I tried the O-ring trick and it keeps rolling up when I lift up on the reverse lock out. I guess im not understanding the "electrical tape" part......can anyone clarify that?
the electrical tape is meant to create a barrier to prevent the o-ring from rolling up the shift handle past a certain point. Cut off a a piece of electrical tape long enough to wrap around the shift lever one time with just enough overlap to adhere to itself. Wrap it around the metal shift lever (sticky-side out), making sure it's loose enough to slide down the handle, but tight enough that it's like a sleeve around the lever. Slide it down until it's just barely sticking up above the top of the reverse lockout collar. Then secure it there as described in the original post. Finally, get a tool small enough to push the o-ring down below the bottom of the electrical tape and it should stay put.
Hope this helps.
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Old 12-21-2015, 02:38 PM   #7
shamrock 05
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OK so the backwards electrical tape just actually binds up and causes the o-ring not to come back up. I just fear the o-ring wearing out and falling down inside that whole mes of a shifter we have and messing something up.
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Old 12-29-2015, 09:19 AM   #8
Flat4Boxer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shamrock 05 View Post
OK so the backwards electrical tape just actually binds up and causes the o-ring not to come back up. I just fear the o-ring wearing out and falling down inside that whole mes of a shifter we have and messing something up.
Play around with it a little bit. it took me a little while to get exactly the right amount of electrical tape. Remember to only use enough to go around the shift lever once and just barely stick to itself.
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Old 12-29-2015, 09:23 AM   #9
NJReppin
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My reverse lockout is stuck up for some reason...
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Old 12-29-2015, 04:40 PM   #10
amiexploited
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for the record I slipped my "I voted" sticker and the rattle went away
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Old 01-29-2016, 02:57 PM   #11
Flat4Boxer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NJReppin View Post
My reverse lockout is stuck up for some reason...
Did you ever get it unstuck? It's possible you used too large of an o-ring or that you didn't push the o-ring down far enough for it to get past the electrical tape.
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Old 06-19-2016, 08:20 PM   #12
Jake25
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I just used an 3/8" inner diameter o-ring, fit it flush with my finger nail and screwed the shift knob back on. Didn't use electrical tape I believe the knob is keeping the o-ring seated. The quietness and smoothness is back so happy thanks for the info!
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Old 06-28-2016, 02:03 PM   #13
Hoon Goon
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See if Perrin makes a a lock out lever for your rides. $60 and done. Smoother operation as well. I used to stick a cut off piece of small zip tie down there and it worked, but I hated rigging it. O-rings and everything else I tried would eventually ball up.
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Old 04-21-2017, 12:12 PM   #14
tysj
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Galaxy Blue Pearl

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Bumping a really old thread but I, for now, fixed my reverse lock out rattle, too.

Couldn't find a thin enough o-ring on hand, so I settled with electrical tape instead. I cut 2 pieces of electrical tape (~1" wide) to about 1.125" long. Stuck those to pieces down lengthwise down the reverse lockout and had the top flush with the shift knob threads overlapping them a bit. Once I got the OD taped up, I used a 1.125" x 0.25" strip to wrap it around the top to hopefully keep the tape from slipping down. Now I have a good amount of play for the lockout so that it can go up and down freely, but not enough for it to rattle when shifting gears.
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Old 06-09-2017, 02:04 PM   #15
snowdrift06
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Reviving this thread.. I had a lot of luck with using a 1" strip of 1/2" heat shrink tubing slipped onto the shifter between the shaft and the lockout. Has not caused any issues with getting into reverse. I no longer have the plastic click noise when shifting. Bought at home depot for maybe $2
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Old 09-18-2018, 01:42 AM   #16
snake2332
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snowdrift06 View Post
Reviving this thread.. I had a lot of luck with using a 1" strip of 1/2" heat shrink tubing slipped onto the shifter between the shaft and the lockout. Has not caused any issues with getting into reverse. I no longer have the plastic click noise when shifting. Bought at home depot for maybe $2
Thank you! Will be getting some of this tomorrow. I don't have the shifter bushing mod yet (ordered it earlier today), but I already hate the rattle of that reverse lock-out plastic piece. Just feels cheap when you shift gears and that part rattles.

Now how can I get the dang doors to not pop/slap when you shut them just a little too hard.....that's my next search.
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