94 Legacy Wagon, tricky shift into 3rd

[LostChevyGuy]

New car (to me) with 164k on it. The shifter is pretty loose, needs bushings and/or a short throw kit. Have driven plenty of other 5 speeds and the shift from 2nd to 3rd is usually almost straight up. This one requires me to do a little zig-zag to get it into 3rd. If I push straight up even at an angle it seems to run into some sort of obstruction. This is also the first Subie I've spent much time with though. Just worn bushings or maybe a sign of a syncro going out?

Recommendations on a short throw kit or should I just find a WRX one? Any years to look for or avoid?

[Legacy777]

What you are describing is normal. Even with new bushings you have to zig zag to go from 2nd to 3rd. Bushings may help, but as I mentioned, what you described is normal.

I would recommend just picking up a complete WRX shifter & linkage setup. You'll need to replace the shifter joint with the newer style joint & bolt. I'd also suggest getting Kartboy front and rear shifter stay bushings and if you want to go further, TiC makes bushings for the shifter lever.

These threads have more info.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?t=16268
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=17894