Shift lever bushings...

[markjhatch]

Had a great run this weekend. Over to Sausalito for late lunch and back to Moraga over Golden Gate and Bay Bridge (lots of traffic there ) High 6-'s and plenty of sunshine.

Well, one stop light from home, I tried to shift into 1st and the gear shift came out in my hand... Should have known, it had been having problems "reaching" 1st the whole trip. Limped back home the last 1/2 mile.

Looking at the parts manual, there appears to be a washer on top and bottom. Not having the one on top, explains the flexibility that allowed the nut to get loose.

Anyway, my question is whether these washers are supposed to be larger than the opening of the arm that shift lever fits into Or whether the washer are supposed to be smaller than the openning in the arm and hold the lever in place by squishing the bushings.

Also, there appears to be three types of bushing available:
- OEM (e.g. see http://datsunparts.com/1784" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
- Delrin based ( e.g. see http://datsunparts.com/1861" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )
- Aluminum (NLA from Nissan Motor Sports)

Any feedback on OEM vs Delrin?

Mark

[OldYeller]

...my question is whether these washers are supposed to be larger than the opening of the arm that shift lever fits into Or whether the washer are supposed to be smaller than the openning in the arm and hold the lever in place by squishing the bushings.

Also, there appears to be three types of bushing available:
- OEM (e.g. see http://datsunparts.com/1784" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
- Delrin based ( e.g. see http://datsunparts.com/1861" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )
- Aluminum (NLA from Nissan Motor Sports)

Any feedback on OEM vs Delrin?

IIRC, the washers are larger than the chamfered shift lever hole and hold the shifter at the proper height vs crushing the bushing.

As far as the types of bushings, I don't have personal experience but for $16 I'd try the firmer feeling shifts of the solid delrin bushing vs rubber.

[markjhatch]

That was the info I was looking for! Thank you.

Mark

[zippy67roadster]

I bought the last comp aluminum ones from NISMO and am having some copies made for those who want really firm bushings. I am using the last OEM ones in my 67 racer project!

[Skyman]

I bought the last comp aluminum ones from NISMO and am having some copies made for those who want really firm bushings. I am using the last OEM ones in my 67 racer project!

Awesome. Keep us posted. I have one, but not the other in what looks to be aluminum. Mine are black anodized though.

[SLOroadster]

I've run the aluminum ones since I bought the car. They are solid and direct. I'd go for those over the rubber ones any day of the week. I'd guess the delrin ones are just as firm, but made of plastic. There should be a washer on the top, between the shifter and the bushing, one on the bottom, between the bushing and the (hopefully) nylock 14mm/ 9/16 nut.

Running a rubber bushing doesn't make a lot of sense since the lever can't rattle against anything, and if there is a little vibration running through the lever, when you shift, the only time you feel it is when you are shifting. (Leaving your hand on the shifter while driving is a fast way for things to wear out internally. There are a few threads on this if you search.) Soggy rubber vs precise aluminum or delrin? For me, its not a hard choice. Precision wins every time.

Will

[markjhatch]

Got a new set of the hard Delrin bushing and installed them Big difference (of course I was also missing the lower one.

Mark

[zippy67roadster]

[align=center]I just received a new run of these. They are still the same price, $25 shipped in the US, and you can find them on eBay or here on my website http://sincitydatsuns.com/parts-availab ... ators.html[/align]

Shift bushings 006.JPG

[jrusso07]

Anyway, my question is whether these washers are supposed to be larger than the opening of the arm that shift lever fits into Or whether the washer are supposed to be smaller than the openning in the arm and hold the lever in place by squishing the bushings.

Mark

Getting back to one of the original questions. I believe the top and bottom washers on the rubber shift bushings are smaller than the ID of the lever receiver on the transmission. They are smaller on all (4) of my high windshield cars. If you look closely at the rubber bushing, their is a cone shaped reduction from the maximum diameter of the bush to the washer surface. The washer size matches the reduced diameter. The bushings need some compression to "firm up" a bit.

Clearly they will never be as firm as delrin or aluminum.

After reading this, I am interested in trying some aluminum ones!

[dbrick]

Aluminum or delrin, both are way better with no downside.

[jrusso07]

Trying to buy the Sin City aluminum bushings all day but Paypal is torturing me...new passwords, new emails and then it faults out...grrrrrr

[cole455]

I bought some sin city ones. They're nice, fast shipping--very pleasant experience

[andyroo]

Are these bushings good for both 4 and 5 speed transmissions? Easy to install?

[SLOroadster]

Are these bushings good for both 4 and 5 speed transmissions? Easy to install?

They should be, not sure about the 1500 transmission however. All you need to install is a pair of 14mm open end wrenches (or better yet one with a flexible ratcheting end) and about 10 minutes assuming the center console is out. Pull the shift boot, one 14 on the top wrench flats, the ratcheting one on the bottom (I don't think a socket will work, not enough clearance) remove the nut that holds everything together, pull the shifter. The upper bushing will likely pull out, on the shifter, but not always. Remove the old ones, install the new ones reassemble and drive.

Will

[andyroo]

Great, thanks. Regardless of future motor/transmission plans, my wobbly-ass shifter is a little annoying. A cheap + easy fix is a good idea.