I have a '96 SW2 with a manual 5spd shifter that has just over 90k miles. I hopped in the car a moment ago, tried to move the shift lever, and the shift lever felt like it wasn't connected to anything.

I undid the console over the shifter, poked inside and saw that the shifter was not connected to a rod that went parallel to the transmission. I looked around further and found a broken rubberized grommet below the shifter/rod junction that looked like it would plug into the ball joint on the shifter and fasten the rod to the shifter ball joint. When I placed the circular end of the rod on the ball joint of the shifter, I could shift again.

Does anyone know what the rubberized grommet is called (or where I can get an exploded schematic showing part names) and who I could purchase the part from? Thanks!!!

 

Replace the shifter cables that you bought from dealer if you want to FIX it ..............if you just want it to work for a short time buy a shifter cable bushing. Seen them at CheckerZone for a few bucks.

 

That part is called a shifter bushing. You can buy it separately on Ebay for about 20$.

 

Thank you both...that is most definitely it!