MGW Problem

Hey guys i picked up an MGW short shifter last night and i just got done installing it.. Here's the problem.. when trying to get the center console back into place the shifter is too tall and hits the piece in front of the shifter under the radio and can't get it to fit even bending the plastic.. any thoughts?

You took the console out to install the shifter?

shouldnt need to. I dont think there is any way of getting the front down over the shifter.

Does the mgw have a detatchable shift arm?

Is this for the fox in your avatar or another car?

I know when I bought mine, it had very detailed and pictured photos with the written instructions as well as a DVD with a 10 min video of the install.

I'm puzzled as well. The MGW for the S197 is adjustable...don't know about the Fox version.

His is the fox.

Console should not need to be removed.
There is a neoprene skirt that the shifter goes through, that I always removed. Then you can access the t-5 from the top.

4 bolts on the shifter and you should be able to take it out from the top.

If you need a hand I can help, but the console shouldnt need to be removed.

Yep, i can't figure it out, but you need to take the console out to get the two front bolts... i'm stumped lol

If you're interested i live on dorsey road which is next to the arundel mills mall.. not sure if you'd be willing to drive that far lol.. but i'd give you like 20 bucks or so for gas if that's cool

I work in DC and dont get home till 8.

Front two bolts on the shifter? For those the sheet metal on the driveshaft tunnel covers them. Even with the console out you will not be able to get to those. Or are you talking about the 4 bolts on the neoprene skirt/cover BELOW the shifter boot?

If you are taklking about the 2 forward bolts on the shifter you can take a pair of visegrips and bend the sheetmetal on the tunnel about 1" back. then you can get a 1/4 drive with a universal on it and loosen and tighten the new bolts. Dont forget to put some loc-tite on or your shifter will rattle loose... Dont ask why I know this...

you can also use a pair of channel locks or an adjustable wrench

i mean everythings out and the new shifter is in and I've already put rtv on it .. but I'm going to go get some loc-tite today, but I'm going to try to bend the part of the dash over the shifter a couple more times so wish me luck lol

so you have this shifter right?



and you have it installed with the lever twards the rear of the car?

and you can uninstall the orange piece shown below. The shifter should be sticking up maybe 2" above the tunnel... so it shouldnt interfere with the console...

That's the shifter, and i have the orange piece off of it and it still dosen't clear the silver piece, even when angled 50+ degrees

I had no issue w/ my MGW in my 92. No need for console removal. I trimmed the plastic to be able to get to the 2 forward bolts under the console. Not a good pic, but.....

i finally got it, with alittle bit of persuading of the plastic it finally went over it, VERY happy with it.