Question-Yes, I would like to check them myself. Can you help?------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have a 1990 Toyota 4x4 pick up. 5 Speed manual, 4 cylinder engine.
It has about 180,000 miles and in the last 6 months it will slip out of 1st gear as I take off. If I hold the gear shift with just a slight amount of tension, it will not slip out. Lately, it is also slipping out of 3rd gear. why is it doing this and what is the fix?
Answer -
The most common cause is that the bushings in the shift tower are broken or worn down, if you want to check them yourself let me know, otherwise I suggest you have the Toyota dealer remove the shifter and check the bushings.
AnswerIf there is a center console remove all the scews and take it off, unscrew the shift lever knob, peel back the carpeting, you may have to cut it at the four corners a little to get to the shift boot screws, remove them and pull the shift boot off, underneath you will see the shift tower, DO NOT REMOVE the 6 12mm bolts, there is a silver looking retainer that holds the shifter in, push it down with a couple of screwderivers and turn it to the left it will release the shifter, pull the shifter out, on the bootom of it should be a teflon bushing nut that's not the one causing the problem, it's the one that fits inside the shifter opening, it may be broken in pieces or be gone altogether, I suggest that you go to the Toyota dealer parts department ans buy the bushings first so you will know what they look like, the parts person can also show you the location on their computer, install both new bushings and put everything back together.
