'05 manual trans pops out of 5th gear...

[vibolista]

Did a quick search and didn't get any matches, so here goes... Son's car is a 2005 Vibe 5 speed manual. No mechanical issues. Got hit (bumped hard) from the rear a couple of weeks ago. No one hurt... just shaken. Only apparent damage initially was scraped lower bumper area... he was braking hard as traffic suddenly stopped ahead. After exchanging information, he got back to his commute home, got on the interstate, talking with his insurance rep and shifted into 5th gear. Shifter at that point popped out of 5th. Noted to insurance rep. He tried it again, and the same thing happened, could not stay in 5th. Now he has a 4 speed.

What could have happened? Anyone here ever experience this?

[tpollauf]

Sounds like a linkage issue but if the impact was very minor (5-10mph) I wouldn't think that would be enough force to actually "bend" or "offset" any linkage going to the shifter fork on the tranny. Other than that I'm at a loss ???

[vibolista]

Thanks, it was definitely a hard hit. Son was firmly shaken, if not slightly stirred, too. I saw him reach for aspirin when he came by so I could take a look for damage. It was already dark when it happened. What amazed me was the fact that there was no metal bent from the impact. Car was in a nose down hard braking position when the hit occurred.