Buzzing noise from shifter

[deadflo]

I am getting a "buzzing " noise from the shifter of my 79 ZX. I know I'm probably getting close to needing tranny work with 179K on the clock. BUT, I wonder what specifically this might be. Bearings? Synchros?

The noise occurs when gears are engaed. It is the original early 5 speed. I have had a whirring noise like a throw out bearing when I engage the clutch out of gear for some time. Not super loud though. Anyway I recall and article in the Q and A section of road and track back in the 90's where the editor mentioned a problem with the early 5 speeds that could be cured with a simple tightening of a bolt. Anyone recall what this could be???

[plutovitch]

Hi deadflo,

sounds like exactly the same noise that was annoying me for ages, I had a walnut shifter knob, the threaded nut inside the knob was loose and it was the vibration that was causing the noise.

Easily fixed, new knob! Worth a try....

[deadflo]

Wow, I also have a walnut shift knob!

I will put the original knob back on and see what happens!

I would do that today but I washed the car this monring and now there is a big dusty wind storm.

[Alfadog]

Yeah, actually my brother had the same problem with his shifter - was a dodgy gearknob!

Hopefully that's the answer - would be nice and easy

[deadflo]

Thanks, mates!

Guess what? I switched out the shifter knob tonight and took a spin on the country roads around my house.

Problem solved!! No noise at all!

I'll take a look at the walnut shifter knob to see if I can do something with it to stop the noise...

[Pop's Z]

Try putting a little dab of silicon seal on the first threads on the shift lever, then put the knob back on. I did this with a leather shift knob that exibited the same buzzing symptom and the annoying buzz went away.

Mike