KB-003-Rear Subaru Rear Shifter Stay Bushing

The review about this being a difficult install are not wrong. I installed the bushing the other evening with the transmission out of the car (on a '99 Forester, if it makes any difference), and I imagine that it would be an order of magnitude more awful working around the transmission in addition to the shift linkage. I did run into minor difficulty getting the bolts in. It seems that on the GC chassis, the bolts are angled just enough / the part has tolerances that are too tight. It took me a while to figure out that getting the second bolt in was going to feel awful for the first little bit (I kept stopping because I thought I might be cross threading the hole, but nope.). If you don't have a good feeling of what a cross threaded bolt feels like, then this may not be a great DIY for you.But that's not the really fun part, nooooo. The end of my shifter had a little flare on it, such that it wouldn't get pulled out of the bushing (the hole has two diameters for this purpose as well). This made it seem initially impossible to get the shaft into the bush. I ended up installing it, and then taking a 1 lb sledge to the other end of the shifter and simply pounding the shaft into the hole in the bush (while lying on my back underneath). Fun times. Not sure if result is worth the install effort (particularly if you're not already in there replacing a bunch of stuff anyway, like I am), but I needed the Impreza version of the part, and this way gets me a sticker (don't act like you're not buying this partly for the sticker: Kartboy stickers could easily be in the Subaru bro starter kit) and a bushing that won't wear out vs. comparable cost for the OEM part.

Review:I installed this along with the (front) bushings, and a kartboy short shifter in my 06 WRX. Everything is noticeably tighter and I am very pleased with the performance of the part.I wanted to clear the air for some of you having issues with installing this product.If you own a 02-07 WRX, these tips may help you but I cannot guarantee the same for the newer models or other models specified to fit. However, you can always try!1. Soak down the part in PB blaster or something equivalent BEFORE you even attempt to break them loose.2. Break the bolts loose and remove them.3. Spray the threads with something like Break Clean to disperse of some of the rust and gunk, maybe rub it down real quick.4. Re-Thread each bolt back in, however do NOT install the part yet. Thread the bolts in and out to help clear the holes of any rust & it will also help clean the threads of the bolt so when you go to install, they're not gunked up and will easily grab a thread.5. When going to re-assemble, either get a second set of hands or something that you can use to keep pressure on the bushing up against the car, them proceed to START each bolt. DO NOT tighten one side then the other, simultaneously tighten the bolts down a few turns at a time until bottomed out.If you have big hands, installing parts like this and many other is never fun. You are working with limited space, small bolts, and well let's face it... Not everyone isn't meant to turn a wrench. Installing any car part takes patience & sometimes a little creativity if you don't have a second set of hands to help. If you do not feel confident in your skills, take your car to a professional. It will save you a hassle in the long run :)

As others have said, these are a pain to install. The angle that the bolts go into the chassis I can only describe as kind of fish-eyed. Because the KB bushing is flat, it makes the bolts extremely difficult to get started. I stripped one hole out and had to retap it. This was with the driveshaft and shifter completely out of the car. I can't imagine the install on a fully assembled car. Good luck

Used to replace the stock bushing while I also replaced the shifter with the Kartboy short shifter on my 2013 WRX

Extended bolts were not included. Had to purchase them myself.Install was pretty easy on 99 2.5rs. But I also had the transmission brace dropped and the long heatshield removed.

Entirely too hard to get on my FXT. The angle of the sheaths the screws go in needs to be angled inwards. You cannot screw in both sides. Might work for other models but for the 04 XT is was nearly impossible.

must have for older Subarus shifting feels sharper and gear changes are more precise and pronounced

I installed this bushing on my 02 wrx along with the other kartboy items and it has transformed my shifter it feels very accurate id buy it again any day