4spd Manual Transmission Tunnel Plastic Plate Nuts

[bkfitz]

I decided to inspect the transmission tunnel to lubricate the shifting mechanism and see if I needed new bushings.  Unfortunately, several of the screws holding the plastic cover down sheared despite delicate attempts to remove with penetrating oil and patience.  Does anyone know how these four nuts can be replaced as they seem to slide inside of a groove that I cannot get access to even from under the shifter plate. 

I checked the tech manual and Haynes but didn't find anything fruitful.

Also my shifting mechanism has play in it, I can't imagine the plastic cover is what holds this down, but I don't appear to be missing any pieces per the Haynes Manual.

https://youtu.be/7DN9l4C1BNw

Thanks! 

[Pawel66]

I am not sure what was there originally (cold not find in parts list...), but I would look at something like this:

https://allegro.pl/oferta/nakretka-koszykowa-m6-klatkowa-element-mocujacy-do-szafy-rack-10-sztuk-17182344278?offerId=17182344278&inventoryUnitId=9LRo0t7Pp6GhKPHJbyzNHQ&adGroupId=MGM3YjRiNWItN2MwOS00M2FjLTk2YjEtNjk5YjcxOTdhYTlkAA&campaignId=ZmFmODMyM2UtMmZjYi00MWNmLWJmOWQtYTU4NmZkMzhjOGNmAA&clientId=MTYwMzk1MTEA&sig=fbe1d72e2a42e958e6e6ad369c52e421&utm_feed=aa34192d-eee2-4419-9a9a-de66b9dfae24&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ads&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKdKSeyqs95vn7SoYVPYU5Pt0tyCFhC1UDF0iz_OnzBBD8NZA5HdZ9IaAhM4EALw_wcB

I think we have something like that in the battery bracket, A 001 990 67 91.

[ctaylor738]

IIRC, the four screws go into square nuts that are held in "tracks" integral to the floor.  You will need to get under the car to access them.  I believe the nuts are M5, and 12 mm on each side.  I found them online.

Also, I worked on a car that had its flex disk come apart and the driveshaft mangled the "tracks."  I was able to secure the shifter plate with screws and nuts.  You need a helper to hold the screw on top while you put the nut on from under the car.  Unpleasant  job.

WRT your shifter play, you need to replace the bushings in the shifter, especially at the front of the shift rod where it connects to the transmission.  Several places online sell a rebuild kit.  You will have to pull up some more carpet on the tunnel to access the front bushings which are under a removable plate.

Good luck,

CT

[bkfitz]

Thanks!  I was able to drill out the broken bolts and re-tap threads in the four nuts to avoid your idea of having someone hold new nuts on the underside while I turn the bolts.  It looks like the 'track' does have a flap that could be bent down to replace the nuts as well (from the underside) but drilling them out worked for now.

WRT the play in the shifter: the bushing on the shifter seemed like it was in pretty good shape but I don't know what a new one looks like.  I hope I'm looking at the right thing. I'll look into the bushing on the transmission side.  Im surprised a worn bushing on that side would cause so much vertical play at the shifter, but I suppose it being so loose could cause this. 

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I have the original FridgiKing AC so pulling more carpet is going to be tough.

Thanks!

[Leester]

I believe the part circled in blue is the rubber dust cover. The bushings at the bottom of the shift rod are 2 nylon concave bushings that wrap around the ball at the bottom of the shifter.