So I just received my ARK STS, got it installed, and I've got a few questions, and one problem.

1) What are the pieces that come in the white bag for? The piece of metal and the white cap thing.

2) Should it be so difficult to shift? I mean, the shifts are short, but require a ton more strength.

3) I am hearing a loud clank like something is shifting positions awkwardly. It's kind of hard to describe, but it happens when I go from 5th or 4th to 2nd mostly, and occassionally 2nd to 5th. It also happens when I'm just going to slap it into neutal and push it to one side or the other. Any ideas? Maybe not enough lubrication?

EDIT: I just found that that the white cap thing is actually used for the lower pivot point. I just reused the old one. Could this be the issue?

 

1. I posted about these before. The metal piece is an extension if you don't like how low the shifter is. The white cap is a replacement for the bottom shift pivot.

2. No. Double check everything and make sure everything is tight. If you can shift and nothing is binding, start doing a tiny bit of working out now and then. Seriously. LOL You also should consider the APE Shifter Bushings.

3. Double check and make sure you installed the spring and spacers correctly. Triple check it, then check it again. Check the DIY for STS installs to see how to do it correctly. You also may want to consider changing your tranny oil.

4. I used my old one and have no issues at all. Maybe a pic of your setup would help out.


Did you take the time to lube up the pivot points a bit before installing? Did you take care not to OVER tighten the stud/nut that holds the whole assembly together? Did you use the white shifter bushings from your OEM shifter on 2 sides of the BIG hole in the lower shift block?

 

Thanks Redz.

1. Ok.

2. I'm a pretty strong guy, I don't think I have to work out tongue.gif I assume that the problem shifting is related to #3. And I'll see if I can order the bushing up when I get some cash.

3. Spring and spacers are done correctly, right out of your DIY smile.gif Tranny fluid has just been changed to Redline MT-90.

4. Would the new one be better in any way from the old one? The pivot point on the new shifter is a sphere, while the old one has a distinct shape. I lubed them, but prehaps not enough. I will take it apart again this weekend and add some more. I will try loosing the nut and see if that helps. And yes, I reused the white shifter bushings. That took me a bit to figure out tongue.gif

Also, do I need to adjust the shifter cables at all? Could that make it easier to shift?

 

Take some pics mang.

I can't see how the new white cap would work any different. Like I said, I used the OEM one and had no problems.

No, you shouldn't have to adjust any cables.

 

Here's the pictures you requested:

 

Everything looks good to me. Did you grease the first pivot point under the shift knob?

 

Yes, it is lubed, I'm going to try and relube everything and see if it helps. If I can't get this fixed, I'm going to be pretty dissapointed. I mean I love how 1-2-3-4 feels, but going into 5th, or downshifting really stinks. 02.gif

 

Well, when you take it apart, take pics of everything else. I don't know what the problem is, all of my short shifters have improved the feel and haven't made any problems.

 

Problem fixed! I replaced the bottom pivot point with the one that came with the shifter, it is like a 100x improvement. It's easy to shift now (I don't feel like such a weakling now) and no more banging noise! I'm one happy customer now! laugh.gif Thanks for your help Redz.

 

The bottom pivot point? Could you take pics/explain what you did for others?