For those of you that have replaced the shifter in your car, you know the joy of removing the retainer from the pin that holds the upper crown on the shifter cage. When I replaced my shifter, I dremeled the retainer off so I could get the pin out.

Now that I am getting more into racing, I would like a longer shifter with a short throw (NST SSK) for on the track, and a shorter shifter (Megan) for daily driving. The install wouldn't be that bad to do in the pits before a race if it wasn't for that retainer.

My question is: does anyone know where to get these retainers besides going to one of the short shifter companies? I would love to get a bag of them so that I can replace the shifter when needed.

However, an optimal option would be to get a threaded pin so that I don't even need to use the retainer and can just use a nut to secure the pin to the linkage. I will have to do more research on this option though.

 

Ace True Value (hardware store). Around $0.50 or so each.

And just use a screwdriver or two, it pops right off. No need to dremel it. It will still break though.

 

Cool. Thanks man. I'll head to a hardware store after work. What is the official name of the part. Do you or anyone else know? That way, when I get a confused look from the floor worker, I can tell them what it is actually called. haha

 

3/8" unthreaded rod retainer. Sometimes filed under "push nut". If you want to be able to remove it, get a 3/8" I.D. stop collar (an alloy collar with a set screw it it) and either dremel a flat spot on the end of the crosspin, or turn a groove on a lathe. Then, whenever you want to change, just loosen the set screw, take off the collar, and pull out the pin.

 

Thanks Doc! Great idea for the stop collar, I hadn't thought of that.