How to Fix A Sloppy Gear Shifter on a Nissan Z32 300ZX
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Nissan Z32 300ZX Manual Gear Selector Bushing Replacement
Step-by-Step Summary
Park the vehicle on a level surface, engage the handbrake, and disconnect the negative battery terminal for safety.
Remove the shift knob by turning it counterclockwise. If the knob is tight, use a firm grip and avoid using excessive force that may damage the threads.
Carefully remove the center console trim surrounding the shifter. Depending on the model year, remove any screws hidden under trim panels and unplug any electrical connectors for switches.
Lift the center console out of the way to expose the shifter assembly and the upper portion of the transmission tunnel.
Remove the rubber shift boot and any inner dust boot attached to the shifter. Inspect both components for cracks or wear while they are accessible.
Locate the gear selector assembly. The selector bushing is typically found at the connection point between the shifter and the selector rod.
Raise the vehicle using a jack and support it securely on jack stands if access from underneath is required. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
From underneath, locate the selector rod retaining clip and washer. Remove the retaining clip carefully using needle-nose pliers or a small screwdriver.
Slide the selector rod free from the shifter linkage. The worn bushing should now be visible.
Remove the old bushing. If it is brittle or broken, remove all remaining fragments and clean the mounting surfaces thoroughly.
Remove Old Shifter Bushing Shaft.
Thoroughly Clean & De-bur Bushing Housing in the Base of the Gear Shifter.
Test Fit the New UPP Z32 300ZX Greasable Shifter Bushing into the Bushing Housing & lightly Tighten the Center Bolt.
Note: Do Not Remove the Grease Nipple as it has been Loctited in position.
Check for free movement of the Bushing, you may need to swap the bushing halves from side to side for the best possible fit up.
If the Bushing is Binding at all, disassemble & check for Burrs or foreign material in the bushing housing.
Reassemble the Bushing.
Check for Side Clearance between the bushing & the bushing Housing. If the fit is to loose, a small amount of material may be removed evenly from the end of one of the bushings with a file or sandpaper. Be careful not to remove too much as some clearance is required for correct operation.
Once all clearances have been checked, Coat the Bushing Halves in your Favorite Flavor of Automotive Grease & assemble.
Install the Center Bolt with the Grease Nipple toward the Right Hand Side & Aimed Downward.
Note: Do not install any Washers onto the assembly as it will cause a mis-alignment issue with the internal Grease Holes.
Lightly, Tighten the Center Bolt & Nyloc Nut, you will need to use an open end Spanner on the Bolt End, so as not to interfere with the 90deg Grease Fitting.
Greasing Via the Grease Nipple is not necessary at this stage, but maybe done as a precautionary Measure
Check shifter movement through all gears. The lever should feel tighter and exhibit less side-to-side play.
Reinstall the dust boots, center console, electrical connectors, and shift knob.
Lower the vehicle, reconnect the battery, and perform a road test to confirm smooth gear engagement and proper operation.
Happy Shifting
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