Shifter Bushing for 2008 Subaru Outback Base

A shifter bushing is a small bushing that connects your Subaru Outback's gear shifter to the transmission and steadies its movement. Nolathane shifter bushings and shift linkage bushings are polyurethane replacements for the worn rubber bushings in manual transmission shifters, mostly on front-wheel-drive cars.

When these bushings wear, the shifter starts to float, the gates get harder to find, and the shift feels rubbery. New bushings take that free play out, so the shifter feels firm and direct again. Each listing shows the type, position and quantity.

How Shifter and Linkage Bushings Work on the Subaru Outback

On many manual transmissions, the gear shifter isn?t connected straight to the gearbox. Instead, a shift linkage carries the movement. A selector rod (or shift rod) carries the shifter?s fore-aft movement to the transmission, and a stabilizer bar holds the shifter assembly in position relative to the transmission as the engine rocks on its mounts.

Each joint in that linkage pivots on a bushing. The bushings let the parts move through their arc while limiting free play. When the bushings are firm, every movement of the shifter goes straight to the transmission. When they?re soft or worn, some of that movement is lost in the joints, and the shift feels vague.

Types of Subaru Outback Shifter Bushings

Each listing shows the type and position.

Shifter Stabilizer Bushings

The shifter stabilizer bushings sit at each end of the stabilizer bar. They stop the shifter assembly from moving as the engine rocks, which keeps the shifter steady under throttle and engine braking.

Shift Linkage Bushings

Shift linkage bushings sit at the pivot points of the selector rod and linkage. A worn shift linkage bushing adds slop to every shift. Shifter linkage bushing kits replace several of them at once.

Positive Shift Bushings

Positive shift bushings are firmer polyurethane bushings designed to shorten the free play in the shifter mechanism, for a more precise feel at the gate.

Gearbox Steady Rod Eye Bushings

On some vehicles, a gearbox steady rod helps locate the transmission, and the bushing in its eye affects how the shifter feels. The Transmission Parts range covers steady rods in more detail.

Signs of Worn Shifter Bushings on Your Subaru Outback

Owners often describe the same symptoms:

• The shifter feels vague, floating or rubbery
• The gates are hard to find, especially between neighboring gears
• The shifter moves on its own when you get on or off the throttle
• A buzz comes through the gear shift knob
• Shifts are missed or crunchy, even though the clutch is working properly

If the shifter wobbles more than it used to, or you?re having to search for gears, the linkage bushings are a likely cause.

Firmer Subaru Outback Shifting With Polyurethane

Polyurethane holds the linkage and stabilizer tighter than rubber, so less of the shifter?s movement is lost in the joints. The result is a more direct, consistent gate feel.

Polyurethane also resists oil, grease and heat aging. That matters, because the shift linkage sits close to the exhaust and gearbox, where heat breaks rubber down. Nolathane chooses the durometer (hardness) for each bushing to balance precision against vibration.

Polyurethane bushings won?t change the throw length of the shifter. What they do is remove the unwanted play.

Choosing Shifter Bushings for Your Subaru Outback

Each listing shows the type, position and quantity.

Manual Transmission and Drivetrain Layout

Most shifter bushings suit manual transmissions on front-wheel-drive cars, where the shift linkage runs from the shifter to a transversely mounted transmission. Check the listing to make sure the bushings suit your transmission and layout.

Bushing Position

Choose bushings to suit the position you need: the stabilizer, the linkage or the shifter itself. Worn bushings often show up in more than one position.

Single Bushing or Complete Set

If only one bushing is worn, you can replace it on its own. If the shifter feels vague overall, a shift linkage bushing kit or shifter bushing kit replaces every bushing at once, for a consistent feel.

Accessing and Replacing Shifter Bushings on Your Subaru Outback

• Access the bushings from inside your Subaru Outback, by removing the center console and shift boot, or from underneath, depending on the position
• Support the vehicle safely if you?re working underneath
• Note the orientation of the linkage before taking it apart
• Press or fit the new bushings
• Grease them as specified
• Torque all fasteners to specification
• Check that the shifter finds every gear before driving

Some positions require removing the exhaust or heat shields to get access. Qualified fitting is recommended for those.

Subaru Outback Shifter Bushing Limitations and Trade-Offs

• Firmer bushings pass more vibration and noise through the shifter
• New bushings can?t fix worn synchros, a worn or misadjusted clutch, or worn internal shift forks
• Automatic transmission shift cable bushings are a different part

Compliance and Insurance

Make sure your Subaru Outback meets the inspection requirements of the state where it?s registered, and tell your insurance company about any modifications.

Warranty and Support

Nolathane shifter bushings carry a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, for the original vehicle. If you need help finding the right bushings, our local support team can help.

Shop Shifter Bushings for Your Subaru Outback

A worn transmission mount can make a shifter feel loose too.

Find the right shifter bushings for your manual transmission, and order online with fast shipping. Every bushing is covered by our fitment guarantee.