sahtt

After leaving the gym last week, I noticed my shifter had way too much play around the area of 5th and 6th gears. In fact, the shifter could move a solid inch farther to the right then it ever has before while in neutral or the areas of 5th and 6th gears. Think of a manual gearbox in a 90s Jeep Wrangler. It is still acting strange intermittently (e.g. in neutral won't go into 5th and 6th sometimes) but as of right now is acting normal (no additional play). I want to figure it out before something worse develops that I might be able to mitigate.

*1st through 4th as well as reverse gears are normal. This isn't a surprise given how 5th and 6th are linked mechanically.
*No miss shift, skipping gears (I never skip gears), or unusually hard driving prior to the issue. <75k miles on my 2004 AP2.
*The transmission still shifts fine into 5th and 6th and the gears hold. They are a little hard to find, however, given how much play there is in the shifter when it is acting up.
*I took apart the center console and everything looks normal. No cracks or issues with the shifter itself. The 4 main bolts that hold it in place look fine.
*I put it up on a lift and inspected there too. Fluid checked and looked good (20k miles on it) and at the right level. The 4 main bolts that hold it in place from bottom (different from the aforementioned bolts) were good.

It seems as if something is or at least was slightly damaged; perhaps the syncro or shifter gates. I've replaced/rebuilt all parts of the drive train but transmissions so I am not as confident in my diagnosis skills here. Suggestions are appreciated.

windhund116

Have you removed-&-replaced or modified the gear shift lever mechanism?

sahtt

No. I upgraded the rear differential but otherwise the drive train is completely stock.

windhund116

There is a plastic cup holding the bottom of the gear shift lever ball. It's number 7, of the diagram. Maybe worn out or broken. Worth a peek.

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