I am following the instructions here:
https://maxima.org/modules.php?name=LSB
but I am stuck on the second step.
Step one is to remove the two little phillips screws. Done.
Step two is to pull the shift button and spring out of the shifter. Well, this just "ain't" happening. My button will not come out of the shifter. I have tugged and tugged - to no avail.
Am I missing something? Thanks guys.

 

it comes out pretty quick... just unscrew the 2 scews behind it and it basically falls off!!

 

keep playing with it .. its easier than you think .. try every angle, every wiggle, every push or pull

 

Hmmm, interesting, why didn't I think of removing the two screws?


Anyway, the button is not coming out. ThisMax, I have tried every angle and wiggle just like you said. Not sure what else to try.

 

Why are you pulling on the button? Just pull the whole thing off.

 

The instructions say after you remove the two screws, the button will come right out and after the button is out, the shifter will come right off the metal pole/stick. My button does not come out nor does my shifter come off the stick.

 

Help?

 

Try pulling the shifter upwards. This is how I found the button will come out easy. Also there will be 2 wires for the OD Switch that will be connecting the shifter way down in the center console. When I swaped mine with a leather one, I just cut and resoldered. Im not sure if that will work for you.

 

Well, with no help to you guys I finally got it. It did not work as stated here nor in the Maxima.org instructions. Perhaps because I have a '99?? The button would not come out by simply removing the screws. I tried everything. Just before I was about to pull out a hacksaw and destroy my rubber shifter, I tried one last thing. I started to turn it counter clockwise around the pole axis. Down at the bottom, the rectangular shifter base fits in a rectangular sleeve (the sleeve slides to indicate the gear). So it wasn't easy, it had to be forced but once turned 90^ CCW (button facing the rear seat), the button and spring did come right out. Then, everything else was as described in the .org instructions.


The reason I did all this was to chop my shifter shorter and to install a sportier shift **** and to add a leather shift boot. I am almost done. Sorry to tease but I don't want to post pics until I'm done. I shortened my shifter by 3". I installed a combo brushed aluminun and black perferated leather shifter I got at AutoZone. The black perferated leather matches my SE steering wheel and the brushed aluminum will match my brushedaluminum.com kit once I get around to installing it. The shifter is symmetrical which is nice. It does not have a push button to push and shift gears. I just simply push straight down on the shifter to change gear selection (like most modern sport sedans ). The only negative is it does not have an OD button. So I will get a normally-open push button from Radio Shack and relocate it or I may just cheat and use my manumatic which basically lets me use my cruise control buttons to turn on/off the O/D. Now, the part I am stuck on is the leather shift boot. The easiest thing to do is simply fill the entire rectangular shifter trim opening but that covers up the PRND. So I put the boot within the skinny gear selecting rectangle - which is great and everything - the only problem is I lost the orange sliding gear indicater. I think I can still make it all work, I just haven't gotten there yet. I'll start a new thread when my project is complete.