Have my97 wagon, does anyone know how the springs holding the gear lever in the 3/4th gear plane are changed? lever is sloppy toward the 1st and second gear plane.

 

off top of my head when i striped my gear box there was maybe two bolts that were caps just a little thurther down from where selector shaft gose into gearbox. when un screwed there is a spring and ballbearing that comes out needs renewing or steaching should be ale to get to them from under car, dont know if this helps

 

I think you will find the bias spring between the base of the stick and the side of the gearbox is missing (rusted) or broken (corrosion again).
It loops onto a large steel disc that compresses the lever moung bush.
When under there you will see where I mean.

The spring is quite large, about 10mm diameter and 50 long. Main dealer for the part, and a knuckle grazing 30 mins to jack up and change safely or £10 in a mechanic's pocket!

 

cheers for that will do it today its just not easy to see.

 

right been out bought a normal spring till i can get over to my local subaru garage and as your thread said 911 it was missing and as i am new to these cars, i missed the small location holes. this has cured the problem but i will drop into a garage and pay for the proper part to be fitted.