So I just swapped my shifter bushings (MT) and I want to recommend it to anybody who hasnt yet done it.

I order Engery Suspension (Red) bushing kit like this one http://www.carid.com/2002-nissan-max...m-2354624.html

Shipped to my door (in Canada for about $40)

I follow this proceedure http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-assembly.html

And it took me about 45 min. I have a lot of mechanical experience, but I would say this is Easy, but make sure you have the proper tools, and are comfortable with taking your center console apart, and removing your stock air box.

The only hard part I would say is actually getting the bushings in. The 2 at the end of the shifter cable (one attached to the shifter, and the other under the air box attached to the shifter mechanism) need to be pressed in with a tool of your choice. I used a large needle nose vise grips which had more than enough force to get them in. I would say if you used a good set of pilliars you could will them in too.

The 4 bushings at the base of the shifter plate are easy with some patience and good fingers. DONT drop the metal insert down the side of the carpet, or you will turn a 45 min job into a few hours....

I took the car for a short drive, and it is a huge improvement over the worn out bushings. It does get rid of the clunky/loose feeling of the shifter.

Sorry I didnt take pictures, but once you get it all apart, its very obvious.

Good luck!

 

I would also recommend putting some locktite on that nut where the shifter is connected to the linkage. In my case some lithium grease from the bushing got on the thread and (despite me cleaning it off) the nut came off a few months later... while I was driving.

 

^ good idea, I used a locking nut from Ace hardware.

 

 

I did these awhile ago and it makes a HUGE difference. I used some silicone spray to make the bushings a little slippery to put them in and it made the job easier. I'm about to do the short shifter from a 02-05 SPEC V because I hate our super long truck shifters.

 

Hey i did this as well but I only replaced the 2 big bushings on the shifter and under the air filter.

I had trouble removing the "side-to-side articulating arm on the left side of the shifter". It wouldn't move off its post. Is there something I missed?

Since I couldn't take it off its post, I couldn't put in the smaller bushings.

 

Step #4: http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...-assembly.html

 

I already saw that. I tried to simply "push it off its post" but it would not budge. Is it screwed in or something? Trust me I pulled it pretty hard and it just wouldn't come off.

 

I am assuming that you are talking about the shifter plate. yes there is a 10mm bolt on the top of each post. Use a deep socket and remove all 4 bolts. The plate will come up. you dont need to take the whole thing out of the space. All you need to do is pop the bushings out, remove the metal insert, and replace the bushings with the new ones and put back in the metal insert. you dont even need to press the new bushings into the plate. Just get the bottom bushing (with metal insert) in place and the top one in place. once you get the 10mm nut on and tighten it down, it will force the bushings into place.

If you are talking about getting the metal post out of the old bushing, it should just pop off. maybe try a little wd and a flat head screw driver and pry. If you needed more leverage, grab the bushing with vise grips or a vise. and pry with a flat head. Mine just popped out with the force of my fingers.