SO im driving home from work today and shifted into 5th gear. I hear what sounded like a small piece of metal hit the pavement, and my shifter became very loose (couldnt shift gears). Now it is completely loose and wont shift at all. it freely moves side to side. Any idea what the problem is before i have it towed?

 

its the stock shifter by the way. The car has 25k miles :/

 

Your shift linkage bolt fell out.
Replace the bolt and be done with it.
Did you pick up the small piece of metal that you heard hit the ground?
No need to tow it anywhere.
Its a simple 5 minute on the side of the road fix
(unless your a fat boy and a jack is needed to slide under her)...

 

ya, i made it home eventually but lost the bolt somewhere on the highway. So now the shifter is just hanging there. I need to find a store that will have the bolt.

 

any idea what Size I need?

 

I would jack the car up and take a look under it to see whats missing or broke before buying anything.

 

well i took a look underneath. The shifter link nut fell off on the highway and stripped the end of the shifter, and tore off the bushing somehow so looks like it may be time for an MGW upgrade

 

What kind of ***** featherweight doesn't need a jack to get under these cars? I'm 5'8", 170, and I'm not fat at all. There is NO way I'm getting under that car without it lifted.

Jesus I can barely fit a low profile jack under the front of this car and I'm at stock ride height.

Are you from Somalia or something 157db?

 

+1 As good an excuse as any.

 

a five your old cant fit under our cars and get at this bolt!!! lol