********** 427 shifter broke in half!

[shark92651]

Well after a successful first start today I was entertaining the idea of a quick go cart ride, and then this happened when I was shifting in order to get down the driveway! Unfortunately I bought it from a guy on the Factory Five Builder forum and not directly from **********. He said he never used it and bought a used a short shifter instead.

I can't believe all the rust that was underneath the weld. Has anyone else ever seen something like this?

[edwardb]

Wow. Haven't seen that before. Maybe you just don't know your own strength. Seriously though, hasn't been reported on the forum that I've seen. I've used two of them to date with plenty of miles and no issues. That could be cleaned up and welded. Would be covered by the most any boot other than the kit rubber one, which I'm not sure would work with that shift lever anyway.

[chuckster]

I have a brand new FFR shifter you can have for the cost of shipping, should be less than $10. PM me if interested..

[shark92651]

I have a brand new FFR shifter you can have for the cost of shipping, should be less than $10. PM me if interested..

I appreciate the offer, but I also have the FFR shifter that I can use in the meantime.

The guy I bought it from contacted Finish Line to see if there is anything they can do. If you look at the photo closely it looks as if the rust goes all the way up into the weld, which is very odd.

[ckrueger]

Looks to me like it was already cracked with the amount of rust there. there also was very little penetration of the weld where it was welded on. It should be no questions to get it replaced. Keep us posted.

[Papa]

Definitely looks like a "manufacturing defect". I don't see any warranty information on Finish Line's website, but wouldn't expect too much of a fight to get it replaced based on those pictures. I have the same shifter, so I'll be watching to see what happens, not that I expect this to be anything but an isolated issue.

[DadofThree]

Glad it happened in the Gokart stage. I have the same shifter and haven't had an issue. I've thrown it in second and third a couple of times that would have showed it's weakness

Hope they make it good for you. Never thought of having that as a spare part.

[shark92651]

The guy I bought it from heard from Finish Line and they agreed to replace it! They said they had never had an issue so wanted the broken one back to inspect it.

[CraigS]

That's good news.

[AC Bill]

It sure is a lousy design. Four little tack welds seem to be the only thing holding the two pieces together. I am amazed there haven't been other instances of that happening.