After the release of the 5MT pivot bushings the STi guys BEGGED us to make these. The 5MT version has been selling well enough for us to follow through for the 6MT guys. That’s right – these are the brand new pivot bushings for the STi 6MT. They fit all years of the USDM STi, and all brands of the levers that reuse the stock bushings. Oh, and for those of you wondering what they do – it’s kinda hard to describe. They just make things feel better. Maybe someone can give me some prose to put here as I’m at a loss for words. Just for clarification these are the bushings that go in the actual lever. Not down below, but under the leatherette shift boot in the car. In other words you can change these out in just a few minutes from inside the car.
Install technique is pretty much just like for the 5mt version, but the fit is tighter. This means TAKE YOUR TIME, and DO NOT USE VISEGRIPS OR CHANNEL LOCKS. If you need to use something, use a C-clamp with smooth clamping surfaces. Above all else TAKE YOUR TIME. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works: Unscrew shift knob, and unsnap the shifter boot Remove the trim to access the shifter under the boot Using 2 12mm wrenches undo the bolt and remove Push out old stock sleeve, and pull out old bushings Grease the inside of the pivot tube and press the new bushings in – it’s a tight fit to give it some effort Make sure the bushings are going in straight!! Grease the insides of the bushings and press the new metal sleeve in Make sure the sleeve is going in straight, and take your time!! Grease faces of bushings where they will contact the control rod clevis Slide into clevis – it’ll be a tight fit Insert bolt and tighten to 8lbs Let me review two things – USE GREASE AND 8lbs OF TORQUE Give them about half way to work to get comfy in their new home, and enjoy ATTENTION 2008 STI owners!!!!! If you are going to use the Kartboy or any of the other aftermarket shift levers you need this version of the pivot bushings. If you are going to keep the STOCK lever then you need the 5MT wide pivot bushings!!! This is due to a change that Subaru made for 2008.
Sean Robinson (verified owner) –
I have the “trunion” bushing set from Turn In Concepts and let me tell you it made a huge difference. Install was very simple as well, the bushings fit the bores properly, as well as the center pins fit the bushings. This however is a completely different story. The bushing is such an interference fit that you can no longer slide the center pin through it once installed. If you try to force it in, it will catch the lip of the second bushing and destroy it. I wish I could leave a proper review but this is what happened to me.
Sam A (verified owner) –
Doesn’t fit they literally need to be pressed in the shifter and because my Cobb shifter uses spacers/sleeves I couldn’t press them in. I had to get rid of the spacers and even then the required efforts to put in and added resistance to the shifter… Can’t imagine these on stock shifter
ChrisTouge –
We’ve installed thousands of these over the years and had no issues when installed properly.