I developed a simple and cheap way to improve shifter feel
08-22-2004, 03:32 PM
#1
Not DAVEB the parts guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,555
I developed a simple and cheap way to improve shifter feel
For the past year or so I had noticed that my car's shifting feel felt a bit notchy and a bit resistant during normal day to day driving. Many of us have changed out engine mounts because we've beat the crap out of them at the track. On multiple occasions while working under the car, I had noticed the rubber mount that attaches the shifter support rod to the chassis tunnel. The mount felt really soft and was showing signs of fatigue and some splitting of rubber. I had posted questions asking if anyone had changed out this mount, but I'd never get one response. Yesterday I decided I'd modify this mount to see if it improves anything because this mount is under a ton of stress from drivetrain torque. Here's what the mount looks like:
As you can see, the mount is a bit rough looking unfortunately the rubber fatigue is hard to capture.
What I did was simply wrap the outer portions of the rubber in some duct tape and then sealed it with heavy duty zipties. I figured this would firm up the mount and it did. Prior to modifying, rubber was loose and easy to move. Now the mount is significantly firmer and doesn't move rear as easily.
I reinstalled the mount and have been driving around for about two days with it. There is definitely an improvement. The shifter feels more solid and defined. Punching the throttle doesn't result in as much shifter forward movement and the shifter doesn't seem to have as much vibration.
Removal is easy. There are two 12mm nuts that secure the mount to the chassis and a 14mm bolt/nut that secures the mount to the support rod. You'll a deep 12mm socket, 8"+ socket extension, 14mm shallow socket, and a 14mm closed end wrench.
I may just go and get a new mount because it can't be too expensive. The part # on the mount is 34560-70N00.
As you can see, the mount is a bit rough looking unfortunately the rubber fatigue is hard to capture.
What I did was simply wrap the outer portions of the rubber in some duct tape and then sealed it with heavy duty zipties. I figured this would firm up the mount and it did. Prior to modifying, rubber was loose and easy to move. Now the mount is significantly firmer and doesn't move rear as easily.
I reinstalled the mount and have been driving around for about two days with it. There is definitely an improvement. The shifter feels more solid and defined. Punching the throttle doesn't result in as much shifter forward movement and the shifter doesn't seem to have as much vibration.
Removal is easy. There are two 12mm nuts that secure the mount to the chassis and a 14mm bolt/nut that secures the mount to the support rod. You'll a deep 12mm socket, 8"+ socket extension, 14mm shallow socket, and a 14mm closed end wrench.
I may just go and get a new mount because it can't be too expensive. The part # on the mount is 34560-70N00.
08-22-2004, 04:01 PM
#3
I used some aluminum and epoxied it to mine, of course the way the 3rd gen one is mounted is abit different than the 4th/5th gens, but the rubber part is the same.
I used 4 pieces of L shaped aluminum and notched out the middle part. I had it laying around from building computer cases lol. One of these days I'm just going to fill the whole thing with urethane.
Glad to see your method worked, mine took too much time lol.
I used 4 pieces of L shaped aluminum and notched out the middle part. I had it laying around from building computer cases lol. One of these days I'm just going to fill the whole thing with urethane.
Glad to see your method worked, mine took too much time lol.
08-23-2004, 02:04 PM
#5
Very interesting Dave. You say the shifts feel more solid eh? Is it easier to shift or get it into gear? Or does it just feel better? With my B&M STS it can be real difficult to get into 1st gear if I'm not completly stopped, even with synthetic fluid. I wish there was something I could do to make it easier to get into gear without putting the stock shifter in. Do you have any more creative ideas as to how to improve shift feel?
08-29-2004, 12:56 PM
#13
vicodin ... gift of life
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: norcal
Posts: 5,401
hmmm..... i really want to replace mine with a brand new one. Is it possible this might reduce shifter play? I have ALOT of play.
btw, how do you guys access this? Do you guys just put it up on jack stands and slide under?
btw, how do you guys access this? Do you guys just put it up on jack stands and slide under?
08-30-2004, 04:48 PM
#14
Nice! I was tring to think of a way to stiffen up that mount. Looks like the Ol' Duct tape came through again.
The mount is above the cat, behind the heat shield. Pics at http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/shifter.html
The mount is above the cat, behind the heat shield. Pics at http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/shifter.html
09-13-2004, 01:34 PM
#19
Not DAVEB the parts guy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,555
Originally Posted by h2kSPiG
Is 34560-70N00 the right part number? I went to a local dealership and looked on jerry rome and neither could find that part.
09-13-2004, 05:35 PM
#20
Originally Posted by Dave B
That was the number on the mount and it appears to follow the Nissan part no. protocol. You should be able to go to the dealership and they will be able to bring up an exploded view of the shift linkage. Simply look for the mount on thier screen and they will be able to to pull up the part number.
10-19-2004, 01:29 AM
#22
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 238
I assume that is the correct part. Too bad they don't have a picture of it though, to confirm that it is indeed the right part.
I did the Dave B mod to my "stabilizer", but I did it when I installed a B&M short shifter, so I can't say what difference it alone made. It's definitely a "loosey goosey" part that is mostly responsible for the "rubbery" feel of the shifter, but it undoubtedly serves to minimize the amount of vabration transmitted to the shifter, so pick your poison, a more solid feel or less vibration. It would be interesting to compare the old part with a brand new one, to see whether these mounts do indeed get "soft" over time.
I did the Dave B mod to my "stabilizer", but I did it when I installed a B&M short shifter, so I can't say what difference it alone made. It's definitely a "loosey goosey" part that is mostly responsible for the "rubbery" feel of the shifter, but it undoubtedly serves to minimize the amount of vabration transmitted to the shifter, so pick your poison, a more solid feel or less vibration. It would be interesting to compare the old part with a brand new one, to see whether these mounts do indeed get "soft" over time.
02-08-2005, 05:55 PM
#23
I ordered a replacement mount from Dave B about a month ago. When I got thenew mount in I noticed the rubber was actually very flexible and was not solid or stiff rubber by any means. When I pulled off the mount from my car I noticed the rubber was very brittle and nowhere near as flexible or soft as the new one. The old mount did not give anywhere near as much as the new one does.
I have had the new mount installed for about 3 weeks and while shifter "feel" really did not improve a great deal, it is slightly better. The biggest difference the new mount seems to make is in the shifter stick vibration. Before the new mount I noticed the shifter would vibrate back and forth while in gear on the highway, with the new mount there is next to no vibration and shift **** almost sits perfectly still. Since nobody had given feedback on a new mount yet, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
I have had the new mount installed for about 3 weeks and while shifter "feel" really did not improve a great deal, it is slightly better. The biggest difference the new mount seems to make is in the shifter stick vibration. Before the new mount I noticed the shifter would vibrate back and forth while in gear on the highway, with the new mount there is next to no vibration and shift **** almost sits perfectly still. Since nobody had given feedback on a new mount yet, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
02-09-2005, 08:41 AM
#27
Originally Posted by Y2KSESteve
I ordered a replacement mount from Dave B about a month ago. When I got thenew mount in I noticed the rubber was actually very flexible and was not solid or stiff rubber by any means. When I pulled off the mount from my car I noticed the rubber was very brittle and nowhere near as flexible or soft as the new one. The old mount did not give anywhere near as much as the new one does.
I have had the new mount installed for about 3 weeks and while shifter "feel" really did not improve a great deal, it is slightly better. The biggest difference the new mount seems to make is in the shifter stick vibration. Before the new mount I noticed the shifter would vibrate back and forth while in gear on the highway, with the new mount there is next to no vibration and shift **** almost sits perfectly still. Since nobody had given feedback on a new mount yet, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
I have had the new mount installed for about 3 weeks and while shifter "feel" really did not improve a great deal, it is slightly better. The biggest difference the new mount seems to make is in the shifter stick vibration. Before the new mount I noticed the shifter would vibrate back and forth while in gear on the highway, with the new mount there is next to no vibration and shift **** almost sits perfectly still. Since nobody had given feedback on a new mount yet, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
02-09-2005, 01:14 PM
#29
Originally Posted by 95maxrider
Well I ordered shifter bushings for both B13/B14 Sentra to see if either will fit our car, since we have the same tranny. I should be test fitting Saturday.
http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_...nsmissions.htm
02-09-2005, 01:29 PM
#30
Originally Posted by Y2KSESteve
I ordered a replacement mount from Dave B about a month ago. When I got thenew mount in I noticed the rubber was actually very flexible and was not solid or stiff rubber by any means. When I pulled off the mount from my car I noticed the rubber was very brittle and nowhere near as flexible or soft as the new one. The old mount did not give anywhere near as much as the new one does.
I have had the new mount installed for about 3 weeks and while shifter "feel" really did not improve a great deal, it is slightly better. The biggest difference the new mount seems to make is in the shifter stick vibration. Before the new mount I noticed the shifter would vibrate back and forth while in gear on the highway, with the new mount there is next to no vibration and shift **** almost sits perfectly still. Since nobody had given feedback on a new mount yet, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
I have had the new mount installed for about 3 weeks and while shifter "feel" really did not improve a great deal, it is slightly better. The biggest difference the new mount seems to make is in the shifter stick vibration. Before the new mount I noticed the shifter would vibrate back and forth while in gear on the highway, with the new mount there is next to no vibration and shift **** almost sits perfectly still. Since nobody had given feedback on a new mount yet, I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
04-08-2005, 08:37 AM
#31
Well I did this last night and so far this morning, i gotta say i'm impressed, shifting is a lot smoother and it takes less "effort" to get it into gear, i'm also using the nismo aluminum short throw, when i first put it in it was stiffer than hell between gears, had to relearn, its a lot better now.
04-08-2005, 02:27 PM
#32
The Bulgarian Guy
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 472
Update
hello guys,
I broke my rubber part in question long time ago so I end up welding a metal piece to replace it. The new feel is impressive. After I did that,as many of you, I started thinking that may be this connection was rubber for a good reason. Anyways, at the time I did this, I also changed my tranny oil. I out some cheap crap that works with gl4 and gl5. My gears are getting progressively worse. I don't know if it's the oil or the "hard" connection...I'll change to Amsoil tonite and see if there will be improvement.
I broke my rubber part in question long time ago so I end up welding a metal piece to replace it. The new feel is impressive. After I did that,as many of you, I started thinking that may be this connection was rubber for a good reason. Anyways, at the time I did this, I also changed my tranny oil. I out some cheap crap that works with gl4 and gl5. My gears are getting progressively worse. I don't know if it's the oil or the "hard" connection...I'll change to Amsoil tonite and see if there will be improvement.
04-08-2005, 06:44 PM
#33
Originally Posted by Jar
Well I did this last night and so far this morning, i gotta say i'm impressed, shifting is a lot smoother and it takes less "effort" to get it into gear, i'm also using the nismo aluminum short throw, when i first put it in it was stiffer than hell between gears, had to relearn, its a lot better now.
04-09-2005, 09:25 AM
#34
98 SE 102000mi it wasnt too bad, it was cracking a litle bit but more than anything it was real easy to move, out of the car with the tape alone it felt much stiffer and the zip ties i assume are to help keep the tension and keep the tape from just unraveling. day three and still impressed.
01-09-2006, 12:29 PM
#38
Ran into a problem with this. I bought a B&M STS and installed it. However, that wonderful 14mm bolt that attaches tehe shfter support rod to the chassis tunnel broke off with the nut on it due to rust from crappy Illinois winters. Anyways, to make a long story short, I tried to remove the whole bracket to get the rusted bolt out and the 2 nuts that hold the bracket onto the frame were rusted as well. I sprayed rust penetrator on them as well and i got them about half way down the bolt when they stopped and it felt like something was loose. So, I climbed inside my car and learned that the whole bolt was moving. Here's the catch. There is no top to it. I tried to hold it with vice grips and get underneath the car to remove the bolt, but that didn't work. I did notice the rubber is all cracked etc. on my bracket as well and I since ordered one from the local nissan dealership.
Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get the old bracket off to put the new one on? Should I try to drill out the old bolts and replace them? HELP!
Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get the old bracket off to put the new one on? Should I try to drill out the old bolts and replace them? HELP!
01-09-2006, 01:16 PM
#39
drill out the bolts and get new ones, been there done that. get a helper.
you guys should see the sentra shifter mod......
http://www.sr20forum.com/showthread.php?t=120263
you guys should see the sentra shifter mod......
http://www.sr20forum.com/showthread.php?t=120263
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