Quote Originally Posted by stephen
you forgot to mention what year/type/swap/etc. but i'm going to assume you have shift rods on your car.

i wouldn't consider this an internal problem. it sounds like all of the gears on the bottom row have an issue (which generally doesn't happen with internal problems). i'd make sure the shifter has FULL clearance when you pull it back (make sure there's no change down there, or it's not hitting the chassis). also, when that bolt fell out, the tranny might've shifted, and bent a shift rod. just sounds like something is permitting you from getting full travel in the "rearward" motion. just pull your center console up, and see what's happening when you pull the shifter backwards. you could also put it up on jack-stands and try to manually put the tranny in gear (with the shifter removed) to make sure it's not internal.

if it were a syncro or something, you'd get a lot of grinding when going into gear, and the shifter would pop out of gear.
yea my fault its a civic w/ gsr tranny. But I can see why you say this cause it doesnt grind or nething going into gear its just like something's keeping it from goin into gear. After work ill jack it up and see what the deal is. but thanks for the help man