Legacy vs. WRX shifter ball

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:01 am

I recently purchased a short shifter from Subydude and despite thier assurances that it would fit my 95 Legacy, it will need some modifications. The width at the linkage attach point will need to be milled down thinner to fit the stock Legacy linkage - no problem there as I have access to a milling machine. The other problem is the shifter ball. The stock ball is about 26 mm diameter and the Subydude short shift is about 20 mm (and can't be removed/replaced). I know BAC5.2 ran into this "The ball on the WRX shifter is of a significantly smaller diameter than the Legacy shifter is. It won't work unless you can replace the ball thing on the shifter?" Is it not possible that the plastic piece that the ball sits in can be exchanged with a WRX one? They must be different but hopefully I can get it to fit into the stock Legacy mount. Anyone been down this road?

azn2nr · Post by **azn2nr** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:26 am

get the right linkage, call it good

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:28 am

Get a WRX shift linkage. That's the easiest way.

That, or return your shifter to SubyDude.

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:38 am

I'm too cheap. I'll figure something out. Can anyone tell me what are the real differences? Is the ball socket position changed? I just don't see how different the shift linkage can be....

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:18 am

You should be able to pickup wrx linkage for cheap. A guy gave me his old one for free. Check out nabisco. There's bound to be somebody selling one.

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:33 am

nabisco?

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:35 am

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:39 am

Oh.. Thanks Josh.

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:48 am

Will a 2002 WRX shifter assembly bolt in? Will I need to replace the universal joint in the linkage with the adapter I've seen mentioned here & there?

Post by **Legacy777** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:26 am

Yes you will need to replace that universal joint.

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:25 am

I'm going to try and find a WRX linkage rod, cut off the shifter end bracket and weld it to the Legacy rod. Cheaper than a new U-joint (on which I've already installed new bushings). Anyone have a WRX shift linkage rod lying around?

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:00 am

I got a WRX linkage and installed it today. It turned out it was quite easy to cut off the tubular end from the stock shift rod (leaving about a half inch of the shift rod still attached) and then cutting off the bracket on the WRX shift rod as close as possible the the weld. With just a little filing, the smaller diameter shift rod on the stock end fits nicely into the inner diameter of the (larger diameter) WRX shift rod. A little welding and presto - no need for the $40 u-joint. Installed the Subydude short shifter and am very pleased with the feel.

Threshld1 · Post by **Threshld1** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:05 pm

pics???

MikeC5 · Post by **MikeC5** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:58 am

Sorry I didn't slow down to take any pics. I'll work up a sketch and post it.

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Legacy vs. WRX shifter ball

Legacy vs. WRX shifter ball