Tonight as I was turning onto a road at slow speeds I shifted from neutral to 2nd gear while rev-matching. A second or so after it was in gear I heard a popping noise that happened once from what seemed to be under the car, but I didn't feel anything wrong with the car. When I put it back in neutral again, I noticed that from the left of the shifter's natural resting place (with B&M STS) you can move the shifter around from left to right very easily, as opposed to the other side of neutral over by 5th. I hope that makes sense. I was able to get it into 1st-3rd gear just fine, but the left side of neutral feels very free, unlike the stiffness of the B&M on the other side. I never had to shift into 4th or 5th, but it felt like it would work. I know very little about technical parts for this, but the first thing that came to mind is shift linkage. Anyways, this is a rebuilt tranny that's 13 months old and just out of warranty. Pray for this damn tranny!!
BTW- while I'm getting this looked at tomorrow I getting Matt's stage II LTB installed along with 3 new sets of ES bushings. It's gonna be real nice.

 

I bet its just the shifter return spring. its a little spring that keepds the shifter centered and if it breaks, its very easy to move it to the left like you mentioned. easy fix

 

huh... BTW, my shifter is always easier to move left of neutral, vs. right of neutral... actually every stick-shift I've been in has been like that if I remember correctly...

 

Thanks Nismo, I'll look into that.
Spirilis- I have also noticed that, but it's never to this extent. On the left there is ZERO resistance. It feels really funny driving it.

Are there any other things I should look into?

 

ttt
.........

 

Return spring.

 

Ok, I had a mechanic look at it and he said the return spring is INSIDE the tranny...which means the tranny is gonna have to be pulled. From the responses I got here, I didn't think it would be this complicated. He said he was unable to locate the return spring. Is what he's telling me correct, or is he looking for the wrong thing?

 

The return spring is located directly underneath the shifter, just above the cat converter heat shield.

 

find a different mechanic

 

I'm assuming this spring isn't related to the B&M STS in any way, is it? Exactly what is this attached to? I need a damn service manual.....

 

its actually attached to both rods(shift rod and support rod) which is directly under the B&M assembly on the other side of the floor- you have to go under the car to access, gotta take cat off too. you should see it, its about an inch long spring. Yours is probably missing or broke or simply lost tension

 

Ya i have the same problem. I even ordered the spring and bracket.

I have yet to install it. I have been driving fine how it is for awhile now.

 

Where did you order the spring and bracket from? Do you know the part #'s?

I can drive around like this without any adverse affects, correct?

 

dont think its a problem other than a wobbly stick

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=172050

wow dang, I have been driving like this since I graduated from OHio State in Dec 2002!

Those are the parts I ordered, I have yet to install them to confirm they work. :>

Call Ken at Jerry Rome 413-746-2617.

It is not TOO expensive though, just pick it up locally to save on shipping. You will pay tax of course.

 

wow interesting, this happened to me too and i had no idea what it was. so to fix it, you have to go under the car correct? if you take it somewhere, how much will they charge to you fix it?

 

so is it located under the car, or from the inside of the car?

 

read the thread i posted.
it is like a STS install.

 

well i have gotten used to it already. ill fix it when i get the time.