On my 77 280 that was fitted with a ZX five speed in 1992 has now developed a rattle in the stick shift. Like a metal on metal sound. It is an 81 IIRC.  My receipt has faded and I can't tell for sure. But I'm pretty sure it is an 81. Trying to recall a single junk yard purchase that long ago, well.....  Anyway, normally you would replace the 2 shift pin bushings and that would take care of it. Not this time. When I drive it the rattle is REALLY noticeable in the forward 3 gears, 1st, 3rd, and 5th. Most noticeable in 3rd. If I rest my hand on the stick shift it almost goes completely away. Instead of only replacing the 2 bushings I had purchased a kit containing the 3 bushings, pin, and "E" clip and installed them. 

Going to remove the center console AGAIN and see what I can find. Any ideas of what it could be? And if someone could post a pic of a ZX 5 speed break down for that particular location I would appreciate it. 

Found the ZX fsm so I wont need that bit of info

 

I had something very similar a few years back, I tried everything including rebuilding the transmission, a year and a half later I tracked it down to the stick shift knob, there was just enough room between the threads of the shifter and the insert in the knob that it would vibrate at speed and sound like a ringing, A couple of turns of plumbers teflon tape fixed it. I spent a lot of money and lost a lot of hair figuring that one out,    hope it works for you.

I wish it could be so simple. This actually sounds like its coming from the floor area. But it wont hurt to check the shift knob.

I see there a couple o-rings in the striking guide, maybe I can look there for something out of the ordinary? 

Okay so I pulled the center console and removed the shift boot and tunnel cover. Saw that I put the pin in backwards. Reversed it and looked around, saw nothing that looked out of the ordinary. Took it for a drive and no noise. Couldn't be that simple. Put it back together, took it for another drive and the noise is STILL there. I have no idea what it could be. The shifter is tight, no slop of any kind. Nothing comes in contact with the shifter, under console, that I can see. It is coming from the shifter for sure. All I have to do is apply very light pressure and it goes away. Maybe with the oil on the shift boot there is something internally going wrong? See pic. Any ideas?

If you have the ZX stick then the internal components or bottom nylon cup could be worn and causing the rattle.

Try shimming the spring as a first step.

 

I know you said it's not the knob, but just to make sure... Take the knob off while it's making the noise and see what happens?

I packed the cup on mine with grease also the hole it sits in, no noise but as a preempted strike. 

That's an oily inner boot.  Mine are dry rotted and cracking?

Good luck!

6 minutes ago, Captain Obvious said:

I know you said it's not the knob, but just to make sure... Take the knob off while it's making the noise and see what happens?

Now that's 5 Star General Obvious. 8^)

Wait a minute, Admiral Obvious.

Edited January 30, 20187 yr by siteunseen

53 minutes ago, 240260280 said:

If you have the ZX stick then the internal components or bottom nylon cup could be worn and causing the rattle.

Try shimming the spring as a first step.

 

I have the Z stick, not the ZX. I should have mentioned that. Thanks.

47 minutes ago, Captain Obvious said:

Take the knob off while it's making the noise and see what happens?

Hmm....why didn't I think of that? I'll drive it later and see.

Edited January 30, 20187 yr by rcb280z