OBX 2nd gen shifter problem...

[MorganS13]

I just got my OBX gen 2 short shifter today and installation was VERY easy after i tracked down a pair of needle nose pliers.  while playing around with it right after i installed it in the driveway i noticed the throws were definitely short (duh..) but it almost seemed like it didn't wanna stay in gear.  well i take it out of my driveway (after a LOT of tries to get it into reverse) and what do u know... pops right outta first when i start to slip my clutch.  after 2 or 3 more tries finally i just hold the shifter in 1st and it stays.  ok now 2nd gear, i'm sittin here thinkin maybe this would be better, NOPE, 2nd gear was even harder to get into than first, i get smart and just hold this in gear and it stays (but pops out a couple times while moving).  so i get out of my neighborhood and start drivin round and it starts stickin in 1st and 2nd more and more, except if i slip it a lot.  3rd and 4th gear were no problem, they both stayed fine.  now 5th gear was about as much of a pain as reverse was, barely caught and liked popping out of gear while i was moving...  i've driven this car for 4 years and its NEVER had problems going into gear or popping out of gear before so i know its not my tranny.

my question is WHATS GOING ON!!! &nbsp;this thing is really pissin me off and i'm about to put my stock shifter back in soon. &nbsp;i'm hopin it just needs to get "broken in" since 1st and 2nd seemed to be getting better the more i used them. &nbsp;another thought i had was that maybe i tightened the plate the holds the shifter on a little too tight... my stock shifter had a little vertical play in it (i could pull it up and down maybe an 1/8 inch). &nbsp;the way this is now it has no play, i figured it should be like this anyway. &nbsp;oh well, any help appreciated, i just want this thing to work so i can keep it... &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>

BTW other than my problem, the shifter looked very solid and i could not really see any weak points where it might break

[MorganS13]

i think i know what i did.... i put the metal "collar" ontop of the wave washer and bush socket when i'm supposed to put it under them. &nbsp;anyone think my problem is more than this? &nbsp;i'll go fix it thursday and find out but i'm hoping thats it

[ghosts14]

keep us posted, I have my 2nd gen shifter coming soon and would like to know if there is going to be a problem or not. &nbsp;

another question, did you have to go and get a different shift knob or was the stock one ok

[Broadwayblues]

That sounds like it could be the problem. Mine goes into gear and almost locks in.

[MorganS13]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ghosts14 @ May 14 2002,12:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">another question, did you have to go and get a different shift knob or was the stock one ok</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
the stock shift knob fit fine

[tristarx]

Correct way to install it is:

1) take out the stock bush socket
2) Insert the aluminum round spacer
3) put back the wave washer
4) put back the stock bush socket
5) Install the shifter and the locking plate mechanism.

The installation between the OBX and Pilot are the same, we have had no problems so far.

Good luck.

Wayne
Phase 2

[MorganS13]

ok well i took it apart and put it together the right away and it works great now. &nbsp;only thing is i think i'm missing the gasket that goes between the metal plate and the transmission "control cover" since i got my unit used. &nbsp;its a little loose (maybe 1-2 mm play) between the metal plate and where it connects to, nothing major, i'll find a gasket soon though. &nbsp;

overall the shifter does not feel all that much shorter compared to stock but i didn't drive stock/short shifter back to back so i could be just misjudging it. &nbsp;its VERY notchy right now compared to how my stock shifter was. &nbsp;it feels like it'll get broken in a bit though so its not a problem. &nbsp;while driving around normally i noticed myself chirping second a lot more when i used to have to actually try for that. &nbsp;it has a nice feel to it, just feels a lot tighter and more secure (i think thats the word i'm lookin for...) going into gear. &nbsp;i would definitely recommend this.

before installing this thing make sure u go out and buy a pair of Ring/Lock Clip Pliers ($15-20 <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>) or SHARP nosed needle nose pliers ($7, much better price), not just regular needle nosed pliers because they aren't sharp enough for the ring clip. &nbsp;other than that the only other kinda difficult part is taking out the C clip right after u take the ring clip out (both of which u do not reuse anyway). &nbsp;if u knew what to do and follow the directions well it'll take around 15-30 minutes, not too bad. &nbsp;here are some good directions Short shifter install (http://www.240sx.org/links/installs/short_shifter/index.html) if u somehow don't get any.