Shifter rattle

[mholmes]

I'm now hearing a rattle that is coming from the shifter on my manual shift on a '77 280z. This is at a higher RPM and if you put your hand on the shifter knob the noise will almost totally go away....what's causing this and what do I need to do to fix it? thx

[zbane]

I think age is causing this- my '79 does the same thing in third gear only. I'm just guessing here, but I would imagine there to be some sort of interior rubber boot or gasket in the shifter mechanism-pull off your center console and peek in there. Since my rattle sound is only in 3rd, I haven't been irritated enough to bother checking, lazy as that sounds.

[280~Master]

I would guess that you need new bushings for your shifter. It is a very easy job and you can buy these plastic bushings for almost nothing. Don't do the door pin mod that people claim works so good. It doesn't work all that great. Just get the parts from Nissan if they are still available and look at blues site for instruction. {url}http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/shifterbushing/index.html{/url}

[thefastestz]

well i had this problem too in the past. I replaced my inner shift boot. That made the rattleing go away and gave the shifter a way more solid feel.

Also mine was pretty bad, its good to replace it, and its easy and cheap.

[chefjono]

I am getting exactly the same rattle in my '77 280Z, and I just changed the 5 speed transmission, inner and outer shift boot.

I think it is vibrating only at the top of the round knob itself, so I will try fitting a rubber piece in there.

jono.

[mholmes]

I forgot to mention that I have replaced the shifter knob, the rubber shift boot and the leather shift boot

[Darrel]

Don't do the door pin mod that people claim works so good. It doesn't work all that great{url}http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/shifterbushing/index.html{/url}

What about it didn't work out great for you?

If installed properly and with the correct shifter for the transmission( 4 spd or 5 spd) Then you will never have to replace them again.

Instead of a round file to file inside the bushing, use the vise and press the pin through, letting the bushing form around the pin. Use a flat file to crefully file down the sides till it just fits between the ears.

[catfish_wiskerz]

Its the shifter bushings... MSA has them

Cat:beard:

[280~Master]

Darrel,

I did use a vise to press the bushings in and took just enough off to get it fit between the ears. I still had a little play. I may have gotten the wrong door pin kit who knows. Thats why I say do it right with right peices.

[Darrel]

Sounds like the wrong door hinge bushings. After the bushings are pressed in the pin should not go in. Use the vise again to press the pin through the bushings so the pin will form the bushings. The bushings will loosen up just enough to move freely without binding.

I am very pleased with the hinge bushings. They cost less than $5 at your local parts store in the help section. There is also a selection of bushings that include the chrysler bushings and another set that might work, so you get 2 sets of bushings for another shifter.