MGW self install issues

[revolio_gt]

I'm trying to install an MGW in my 2016. I've watched videos on it, and I'm having problems with the 10mm top arm bolt. I've broken 2 10mm ratchet wrenches on it now because it won't budge whatsoever. The videos show a little resistance but nothing crazy. Does anyone have any tips getting it loose? everyone says the painful part is having clearance to actually remove it, but I can't even get the fucking thing loose

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[Atmospear]

I haven’t done the install myself. Gonna get a shop to do it since I have fat fingers. But I swear by Bulldog BDX penetrating oil. Let it soak in for 5-10 minutes.

Not sure if you can maybe fit a breaker bar up along the driveshaft tunnel? Or failing that the old double wrench method?

 

[revolio_gt]

Tried putting the box end of a 20mm wrench on the ratchet that was up there but still no luck, cos both my 10mm wrenches broke on the bolt lol

might be forced to drop the exhaust and driveshaft - just not that confident in doing so

 

[Farkel]

Before you drop the exhaust and driveshaft, have you loosened the trans support to drop the trans a little? You'll want to mark its position before, so you can set the trans & driveshaft back to their original alignment when you tighten the support bar. This will give you better access to the top bolt.

 

[Mr.Sweet]

Tried putting the box end of a 20mm wrench on the ratchet that was up there but still no luck, cos both my 10mm wrenches broke on the bolt lol

might be forced to drop the exhaust and driveshaft - just not that confident in doing so

I just installed the MGW Xspec on my 2019 a couple of weeks ago. That bolt is no fun at all, but I did manage it without taking off the exhaust or drive shaft. The bolt was on tight, so I did use a double wrench to get it loose. I used a regular wrench box end on it then another wrench doubled up. I didn't use the ratchet wrench until I broke it loose. It took a couple times to re-position the wrench because it was still to tight for the ratcheting end to move. Once it was broken free, I used the ratcheting wrench to finish it out.

In order to get that bolt completely out I ran into lots of clearance issues. I never had the room shown in the videos. What I finally had to do was remove the bracket for the two piece drive shaft so that could drop down. I then removed the bolts in the transmission support bracket, and lowered the trans down. There still was not enough room, so I get two wooden blocks, scrap cut of 2x4's, and put them between the trans cross member and the frame so it would pull the trans down a little more. once that was in, I pulled down even more on the drive shaft while pulling the bolt out. after a brutal fight, i finally got it out.

One final note, make sure to inspect the new bridge and make sure BOTH bushings are in place. The driver side bushing fell out of mine. When I was all done, I noticed I had an extra part on the table. After raking my brain for a bit and reviewing an adjustment video, I realized I was looking at a bushing for the bridge. Didn't notice on install as the passenger side was there, and that was were I fed the bolt through. I had to go through the entire thing all over again to take the shifter off the car, remove the bridge to insert the bushing, and then put it all back together. That bolt again took me over an hour to deal with again!

When I was done, for the second time, I went for a drive. This shifter is AWESOME! I love the feel, it is firm and tight, and I couldn't be happier with it! I hope this info helps you a little and that you can get it done for yourself.

Mr. Sweet

 

[revolio_gt]

Barely had any time at this, but finally got that 10mm out and now stuck on the 13mm on the stock linkage. Fucker does not want to move whatsoever. Just straight regret buying this shifter now due to the install being a massive pita

 

[Mr.Sweet]

Barely had any time at this, but finally got that 10mm out and now stuck on the 13mm on the stock linkage. Fucker does not want to move whatsoever. Just straight regret buying this shifter now due to the install being a massive pita

Congrats on getting the 10mm bolt out! That one was the biggest pain for me. If I remember correctly, I broke the linkage bolt loose from inside the car. I couldn't get enough leverage from underneath. I had a long handle 3/8 ratchet that I feed in through the hole with a 13mm socket. Not really a comfortable set up with the metal edge of the hole where the boot goes, but I managed it.

When I installed my shifter it took an entire weekend. I started early on Saturday and worked on it till 9 pm I think. Then I was at it on Sunday until at least 7 pm. I cussed, I got angry, but I wanted to get it done for myself. I'm not the best mechanic in the world by any means, but I can turn a wrench and find a way to figure it out. If I was able to get it done, then I am sure you can too. When you are able to sit in the car and feel the new shifter, it will be worth it. I still love mine every time I go for a drive.

Mr. Sweet

 

[revolio_gt]

Congrats on getting the 10mm bolt out! That one was the biggest pain for me. If I remember correctly, I broke the linkage bolt loose from inside the car. I couldn't get enough leverage from underneath. I had a long handle 3/8 ratchet that I feed in through the hole with a 13mm socket. Not really a comfortable set up with the metal edge of the hole where the boot goes, but I managed it.

When I installed my shifter it took an entire weekend. I started early on Saturday and worked on it till 9 pm I think. Then I was at it on Sunday until at least 7 pm. I cussed, I got angry, but I wanted to get it done for myself. I'm not the best mechanic in the world by any means, but I can turn a wrench and find a way to figure it out. If I was able to get it done, then I am sure you can too. When you are able to sit in the car and feel the new shifter, it will be worth it. I still love mine every time I go for a drive.

Mr. Sweet

Yep your method has been what I've been trying. Couldn't find any decent leverage or position from under the car, so been hitting it from the inside. Also have a 3/8 ratchet with a 13mm socket. Sliced the shit out of my hand a few times though when the ratchet loses its hold and I slam my hand into the metal parts inside that shifter void. Feel like I've been givin it everything I got and it doesnt budge lol. But guess I'll keep trying with that method if it worked for you, but maybe I need a longer ratchet, mines only 200mm long

I'm pretty confident putting the shifter in will be wayyy easier than taking the stock one out, so at least this should be the last hurdle. Bout to go overseas for a few weeks though so I'll have to try when I'm back home unfortunately

 

[Mr.Sweet]

Yep your method has been what I've been trying. Couldn't find any decent leverage or position from under the car, so been hitting it from the inside. Also have a 3/8 ratchet with a 13mm socket. Sliced the shit out of my hand a few times though when the ratchet loses its hold and I slam my hand into the metal parts inside that shifter void. Feel like I've been givin it everything I got and it doesnt budge lol. But guess I'll keep trying with that method if it worked for you, but maybe I need a longer ratchet, mines only 200mm long

I'm pretty confident putting the shifter in will be wayyy easier than taking the stock one out, so at least this should be the last hurdle. Bout to go overseas for a few weeks though so I'll have to try when I'm back home unfortunately

Yup, been there done that! I busted a knuckle up on a wrench slip when I was underneath the car. Fun times!

I think that ratchet may be to short for the leverage you need. Checking the conversion that puts it at just under 8 inches. I used a long one I have. It is a 14 inch, which is around 355mm.

Another thought if you want to try it would be pushing the linkage forward to give you more room for longer tools. I know the install video says to make sure to put the shifter in neutral before you start. I had mine there, but with all the fighting I did with the bolts it slipped into 3rd. I could pull it back but it kept jumping into 4th and back to 3rd. Getting neutral again was a pain just grabbing the shaft the linkage bolts on to, but maybe if you move it forward into 3rd or back into 4th you could get a better angle are some more room to work.

Putting the new one in was easier at some points. Fitting the bridge was tricky with the exhaust and driveshaft there. And the 10mm bolt was a pain to get back in and tight. My fingers were not happy with me. But it did go faster then the old one coming out.

Safe travels.

Mr. Sweet

 

[revolio_gt]

Yup, been there done that! I busted a knuckle up on a wrench slip when I was underneath the car. Fun times!

I think that ratchet may be to short for the leverage you need. Checking the conversion that puts it at just under 8 inches. I used a long one I have. It is a 14 inch, which is around 355mm.

Another thought if you want to try it would be pushing the linkage forward to give you more room for longer tools. I know the install video says to make sure to put the shifter in neutral before you start. I had mine there, but with all the fighting I did with the bolts it slipped into 3rd. I could pull it back but it kept jumping into 4th and back to 3rd. Getting neutral again was a pain just grabbing the shaft the linkage bolts on to, but maybe if you move it forward into 3rd or back into 4th you could get a better angle are some more room to work.

Putting the new one in was easier at some points. Fitting the bridge was tricky with the exhaust and driveshaft there. And the 10mm bolt was a pain to get back in and tight. My fingers were not happy with me. But it did go faster then the old one coming out.

Safe travels.

Mr. Sweet

my cars also stuck in like 2nd 3rd or 4th it seems, while I still have the stock linkage left on there. How’d you get it back into neutral? I assume once the mgw is in I can put it back into neutral without issue, and that during the actual install of the mgw, it being in gear won’t be a big problem problem?

 

[Mr.Sweet]

my cars also stuck in like 2nd 3rd or 4th it seems, while I still have the stock linkage left on there. How’d you get it back into neutral? I assume once the mgw is in I can put it back into neutral without issue, and that during the actual install of the mgw, it being in gear won’t be a big problem problem?

Most likely it is in 3rd or 4th. To get into second you would have to twist the linkage, and that is hard to do. Once you get the new linkage installed you can grab it from inside the car. It is a nice straight rod, so easy to grab and pull or push. Sadly hitting neutral is hard to do. Once you pull it out of third it wants to jump right into 4th. I ended up shoving it in 3rd and then pulling back with just enough force to slip 3rd. You have to stop pulling right at the slip or into 4th it goes.

That being said, I don't think it matters. You can move the new shifter to line up the linkage once it is mounted to the bridge. Just make sure before everything is tightened down that you can get into and out of the gears as you expect. Once you know everything is working, you can tighten up the linkage and the bridge to the trans.

Also, before you put the boot on, make sure to check your adjustment for 1st and 2nd. I had to take my boot of and give it a half turn back. Missed 2nd gear when I was testing a hard shift.

Mr. Sweet

 

[revolio_gt]

Most likely it is in 3rd or 4th. To get into second you would have to twist the linkage, and that is hard to do. Once you get the new linkage installed you can grab it from inside the car. It is a nice straight rod, so easy to grab and pull or push. Sadly hitting neutral is hard to do. Once you pull it out of third it wants to jump right into 4th. I ended up shoving it in 3rd and then pulling back with just enough force to slip 3rd. You have to stop pulling right at the slip or into 4th it goes.

That being said, I don't think it matters. You can move the new shifter to line up the linkage once it is mounted to the bridge. Just make sure before everything is tightened down that you can get into and out of the gears as you expect. Once you know everything is working, you can tighten up the linkage and the bridge to the trans.

Also, before you put the boot on, make sure to check your adjustment for 1st and 2nd. I had to take my boot of and give it a half turn back. Missed 2nd gear when I was testing a hard shift.

Mr. Sweet

Back home and managed to get the old shifter out finally, and put in the MGW. It was a massive pain in the ass to do but I'm glad that part is over. Now the last "hard" part is snapping the dust boot into its groove. Any tricks for that? Every video I watch is the typical thing of making it look real easy, but does not seem to be the case, at least doing it solo. Already set up the shift movement, so once the dust boot is done I should be all finished up once I put the interior back together

 

[SnowFox]

Are you able to get some PBblaster on it?

 

[Mr.Sweet]

Back home and managed to get the old shifter out finally, and put in the MGW. It was a massive pain in the ass to do but I'm glad that part is over. Now the last "hard" part is snapping the dust boot into its groove. Any tricks for that? Every video I watch is the typical thing of making it look real easy, but does not seem to be the case, at least doing it solo. Already set up the shift movement, so once the dust boot is done I should be all finished up once I put the interior back together

That is great news! Glad to hear you finally got it on, congrats!

As for the boot, that part I really didn't have a problem with. I just folded one end under and got the lip set, then just worked around the boot with a small plastic trim tool and a small screwdriver. I used my fingers where I could and it ended up seating in pretty well. I have heard that other had problems with it, but mine went on pretty quickly. If you have some silicon WD40 that might help you some, and not mess up the rubber of the boot. Not sure if PB or another oil base lube would degrade the rubber or not. I guess you could just take your time and work a little bit in at a time in a circle would help. That's about the only thing I can think of at the moment.

Hope it helps.

Mr. Sweet

 

[revolio_gt]

That is great news! Glad to hear you finally got it on, congrats!

As for the boot, that part I really didn't have a problem with. I just folded one end under and got the lip set, then just worked around the boot with a small plastic trim tool and a small screwdriver. I used my fingers where I could and it ended up seating in pretty well. I have heard that other had problems with it, but mine went on pretty quickly. If you have some silicon WD40 that might help you some, and not mess up the rubber of the boot. Not sure if PB or another oil base lube would degrade the rubber or not. I guess you could just take your time and work a little bit in at a time in a circle would help. That's about the only thing I can think of at the moment.

Hope it helps.

Mr. Sweet

I got this done not long after my last reply. The trick for me was letting the dust boot soak in hot water for a good 20 minutes, made it a lot more pliable and easier to get into the groove on one side, then I slowly worked it around. But because I'm from Australia, the distributor I bought the MGW from did not mention that I needed either an adapter to keep the stock shift knob, or one of MGWs shift knobs, so rather than waiting on one getting shipped here from the US, or using the stock one but with a massive gap on the shifter, I ordered one from Temu for $10 and it surprisingly slotted in okay.

Thank god this is finally done. Lucky I had a second car to drive around while this was out of commission, otherwise I would've given in and just taken it to a shop much earlier.

Thanks for the tips along the way Mr.Sweet

Haven't driven it too much yet since the install but so far, definitely feels a lot notchier than the stock shifter. Throw is a little less but nothing too drastic. Doesn't sit too low either thankfully. Main thing I like is the 2-3 shift needing basically no guidance, makes it a lot faster. I can just bang it into 3rd by pushing up and not have to worry about a money shift

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