6spd shifter cable bushings..
6spd shifter cable bushings..
I didn't know where else to post this.. I hope this is ok..
These will work for the 5.5 and 6th gen, 6spd guys..
I recently designed and machined a set of bushings for the 6spd trans in the QR powered Spec V. The stock cables have 3 bushings (one in the cabin, and 2 on the transmission). These bushings are made out of rubber, and have voids in them, much like a stock engine mount. Over time, the rubber tears/gets soft, and the shift gets more and more mushy. To top it off, there's a brass insert/collar in the bushing, that usually binds on the steel shaft, leading to further twisting/tearing of the stock bushing.
To fix this, I had my guys machine bushings out of a material called "Nylatron". This stuff is amazing! It's got a maximum load capacity of 12,000psi, is fiber reinforced, and has a high content of molybdenum. This means that it's SUPER strong (used around here in the oil field in offshore cranes), and can be installed without ANY lubrication. The material provides it's own lubricant in the form of molybdenum, so you would never have to worry about it again. We build solid engine mount inserts out of this stuff as well..
Anyway.. I recently installed a set in my wife's 04 Maxima, as I figured out that the linkages were identical between the Spec V and the Maxima..
Here's a write up I did on the install on Myspecv.com
These will work for the 5.5 and 6th gen, 6spd guys..
I recently designed and machined a set of bushings for the 6spd trans in the QR powered Spec V. The stock cables have 3 bushings (one in the cabin, and 2 on the transmission). These bushings are made out of rubber, and have voids in them, much like a stock engine mount. Over time, the rubber tears/gets soft, and the shift gets more and more mushy. To top it off, there's a brass insert/collar in the bushing, that usually binds on the steel shaft, leading to further twisting/tearing of the stock bushing.
To fix this, I had my guys machine bushings out of a material called "Nylatron". This stuff is amazing! It's got a maximum load capacity of 12,000psi, is fiber reinforced, and has a high content of molybdenum. This means that it's SUPER strong (used around here in the oil field in offshore cranes), and can be installed without ANY lubrication. The material provides it's own lubricant in the form of molybdenum, so you would never have to worry about it again. We build solid engine mount inserts out of this stuff as well..
Anyway.. I recently installed a set in my wife's 04 Maxima, as I figured out that the linkages were identical between the Spec V and the Maxima..
Here's a write up I did on the install on Myspecv.com
Originally Posted by TurboS13Hatch
2002-2006 Spec V
Start by inspecting the parts in your package. Some of you may have more parts, if you have a 03 or 04 model. This is because of the split in the model year, in which two different cables were used. I have provided bushings for BOTH sets of cables, just to make sure that you guys were covered. You should inspect your bushings, and determine which of the following sets that you need, from below..
[h]For the 02/03 guys, you should have 3 bushings that are all the same outer diameter. However, ONE bushing will have a slightly larger diameter INNER hole (I.D.). This bushing is to be used inside the car. The other two bushings, with smaller holes, should be used on the transmission side[/h]
The 04+ guys will use 1 larger diameter bushing and one small diameter bushing on the trans side, and one small bushing on the inside of the car. All 3 bushings should have the same inside diameter.
[h]Once you are ready to get started.. start by hitting the bushings with a little compressed air. This will remove any/all dust from the manufacturing process. Then, use a light grease or WD40 on the INSIDE hole. This is not required, but, it will make the shift action much smoother. At this time, also, look at each bushing, and identify the slight taper on the sides.. meaning, one side of the bushing is slightly smaller in diameter than the other side. This is done to create a "wedge fit", and prevent the bushing from moving out of the cable, once installed.[/h]
After the bushings are prepped for install.. Start by unscrewing the shift **** and removing it. (For the 05+, you will need to unsnap your shifter boot, under the reverse lockout ****). Pull up on the plastic bezel that surrounds the shifter, from the bottom (near the e-brake). It will pop loose. Continue to pull up and back so that it comes out of the dash as well. STOP, and unplug the 12 volt (cigarette lighter) plug from the back of the outlet! The shift boot should slide out with the bezel, over the shifter rod. From there, use the following photo's and instructions for reference in installing them..
Start by inspecting the parts in your package. Some of you may have more parts, if you have a 03 or 04 model. This is because of the split in the model year, in which two different cables were used. I have provided bushings for BOTH sets of cables, just to make sure that you guys were covered. You should inspect your bushings, and determine which of the following sets that you need, from below..
[h]For the 02/03 guys, you should have 3 bushings that are all the same outer diameter. However, ONE bushing will have a slightly larger diameter INNER hole (I.D.). This bushing is to be used inside the car. The other two bushings, with smaller holes, should be used on the transmission side[/h]
The 04+ guys will use 1 larger diameter bushing and one small diameter bushing on the trans side, and one small bushing on the inside of the car. All 3 bushings should have the same inside diameter.
[h]Once you are ready to get started.. start by hitting the bushings with a little compressed air. This will remove any/all dust from the manufacturing process. Then, use a light grease or WD40 on the INSIDE hole. This is not required, but, it will make the shift action much smoother. At this time, also, look at each bushing, and identify the slight taper on the sides.. meaning, one side of the bushing is slightly smaller in diameter than the other side. This is done to create a "wedge fit", and prevent the bushing from moving out of the cable, once installed.[/h]
After the bushings are prepped for install.. Start by unscrewing the shift **** and removing it. (For the 05+, you will need to unsnap your shifter boot, under the reverse lockout ****). Pull up on the plastic bezel that surrounds the shifter, from the bottom (near the e-brake). It will pop loose. Continue to pull up and back so that it comes out of the dash as well. STOP, and unplug the 12 volt (cigarette lighter) plug from the back of the outlet! The shift boot should slide out with the bezel, over the shifter rod. From there, use the following photo's and instructions for reference in installing them..
Last edited by TurboS13Hatch; Jan 22, 2009 at 04:16 AM.
After installation, check the shifter for smooth operation through all 6 forward gears, plus, reverse. Reinspect the linkages, and verify proper fit/installation before driving the vehicle!
[h]Again, It is VERY important for you to identify the slight taper on each bushing, and make sure that it is installed facing INWARD, meaning, the more the cable tries to work itself forward, the tighter it will get on the bushing. Failure to install the bushings properly, may result in the loss of shift function![/h]
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Travis
I ended up doing a group buy for those guys, and sold about 70 sets of these bushings. I ran out in about 2 weeks!
These things dramatically improve the shift quality/feel, and I noticed that I'm far less likely to grind/miss a gear in the wife's car since installing these. It simply takes all the slop out, and you get a nice crisp "click" into each gear.
Anyway.. I PM'd one of the moderators about getting permission to do a group buy here for these, but, never got a response. So, if a mod sees this, can you please discuss it with your staff, and let me know if it's cool to post up or not?
Travis
Last edited by TurboS13Hatch; Jan 22, 2009 at 04:17 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 511
From: South Jersey (Near Philly)
The one thing you didn't mention was the price.
If they would work on a 02 6SP I'd be in for a set if the price is reasonable.
Also would be nice if you did a step by step install on a 5.5 gen.
If they would work on a 02 6SP I'd be in for a set if the price is reasonable.
Also would be nice if you did a step by step install on a 5.5 gen.
I didn't want to be disrespectful to the site owner, or mods by posting a price without getting approval to do so. I realize that this site is a sponsor site, I am not a sponsor here. The price is very reasonable, and I wouldn't mind doing a write up for the 5.5 guys as well. I just need to hear back from a moderator before I start talking about pricing.
Travis
Travis
The 5.5 Gen procedure is very similar. Also, Travis, you may already know this but Energy Suspension has polyurethane bushings for the 5.5 (which may also be used by the 6th Gen, can't remember for sure). Those cover the one in the cabin on the shifter and the linkage under the airbox, as well as four more bushings for the white plastic shifter "base".
I don't have good pictures, but here's when I installed mine:
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...tkins-sts.html
I don't have good pictures, but here's when I installed mine:
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...tkins-sts.html
Yeah.. I saw those.. I prefer nylatron over urethane, though.. Those urethane inserts still have a metal collar, which will require greasing, periodically. Mine are more stiff, and will never require any grease or maintenance. Plus, I have bushings for the 6th gen, which are different. The bushing in the cabin has a different diameter stud, and one of the bushings on the trans side is large in diameter (OD).
Travis
Travis
Yeah.. I saw those.. I prefer nylatron over urethane, though.. Those urethane inserts still have a metal collar, which will require greasing, periodically. Mine are more stiff, and will never require any grease or maintenance. Plus, I have bushings for the 6th gen, which are different. The bushing in the cabin has a different diameter stud, and one of the bushings on the trans side is large in diameter (OD).
Travis
Travis
Got it, thanks. If you want to get a deal going for people, I can have an admin get in touch with you. Since the 6th Gen bushing set is different, this should be good for them. It'll also give the 5.5 guys an alternative to the ES ones. I know the bushings made a huge difference on my car.
The Spec V guys have been raving about this simple mod.. Hell, I was surprised at just how much of a difference in made in my wife's 6th gen! I think that over time, as the stock bushings wear out, the shift feeling gets worse and worse, but, you don't realize it, because it happens over such a long period of time. Then, when you replace them with stiffer bushings, it's such a HUGE improvement.
Travis
It'll be compareable to the ES bushings for the 5.5 gen.. These cost a little bit to machine, because of the tollerances, but, they're worth every penny! Read up on the how-to thread that I posted, and see what the Spec V guys are saying about them..
Urethane bushings are easy.. you build a mold, and pour them by the batch.. The tollerances aren't critical, because it's soft, so, if it's off by .010" of an inch, it doesn't really matter. But, this stuff is hard, so it has to fit perfectly. The tollerances are like 1 to 3 thousanths of an inch!
Travis
Urethane bushings are easy.. you build a mold, and pour them by the batch.. The tollerances aren't critical, because it's soft, so, if it's off by .010" of an inch, it doesn't really matter. But, this stuff is hard, so it has to fit perfectly. The tollerances are like 1 to 3 thousanths of an inch!
Travis
Why no one jumping on this group buy is beyond me!!!
These things make a huge diff, I have just the one on the inside cable and it rocks!!!! I got it from Cattman when I bought the my springs a long long time ago.
SOLID
These things make a huge diff, I have just the one on the inside cable and it rocks!!!! I got it from Cattman when I bought the my springs a long long time ago.
SOLID
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