Violent shifter vibration

[OptionZero]

When approaching 5k RPM, i am experiencing very violent and audible vibration from my shifter and shifter tunnel. The shifter itself moves about, and there is a loud, mechanical buzzing-type sound.

This is not simply normal 240sx shifter rattling/vibration.

I have a C's short shifter and a Nismo Tranny mount...has the combination of a solid tranny mount and short shifter been known to cause this problem? It occurs in every gear.

[Dousan_PG]

nope. some thing else is going on

[TUnity2]

B&ms make a crazy vibration noises,its porbably just the shifter.

[OptionZero]

I have not heard of B&M problem occuring in C's short shifters.

I am changing tranny fluid soon, but the "oldness" of my fluid could not possibly be the problem.

I will re-check to see if my shifter if installed properly, but my install was identical to Turdz's and his is the same...and my shifter has otherwise been fine...better than fine in all other instances for the half year that i've had it.

My synchros...could they be the problem? Mine are probably not in the best of shape.

[HootAuto]

Check the socket that the shifter mounts into. If any of the clips or socket is damaged, get a new shifter mounting plate thing.

[aznpoopy]

i actually had this exact same problem with the stock shifter. it sounds like a loud ass buzzer is going off in the car. at first i thought it was some kind of warning indicator!

happened right after i did my ka swap. problem? we forgot to insert the little t-shaped bolts that actually secure the transmission to the nismo transmission mount. i would check to see if those are on and torqued down.

[OptionZero]

shit, i need to crack open my FSM and look at what you're talking about
I wouldn't be surprised if the shop was lazy or somethin from my last tranny job

[aznpoopy]

its extremely easy to leave out. they were sitting in my toolbox for about 2 weeks before i figured out what they were. if you had a shop do it, definitely check it out.

if you don't know where they are, a quick and dirty way to check is to jack up the car and put a prybar against the transmission. now pry. if the transmission moves but your mount doesn't, they're not in.

[TurDz]

nice find aznpoopy, because OptionZero had a tranny swap a while ago.

[OptionZero]

I can't seem to find a diagram in the FSM that displays it...do you happen to have a pic or diagram of it?

If the shop forgot it, then they're long gone, i highly doubt they kept the bolts...are they replaceable from a hardware store?

[aznpoopy]

i don't know if you could get it at a hardware store. it basically looks like your standard bolt with a flat plate welded on one side of it. and a nut of course. the flat part goes above the transmission. the bolt sticks down into a hole on tranny mount. a nut secures it in place. there is a hole in the crossmember that lets you use your ratchet + extension to bolt it in. there is one on each side, left and right.

i did a quick flip through the MT section and i couldn't find it. it doesn't show on the picture of the tranny crossmember either.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a104/kirinpoopy/trannymountholethinger.jpg

that's the hole for it on the mount. one on the other side of course.

i'm sure the nissan dealership could get the bolts for you.

[Irukandji]

my stock shifter made that noise when I first got the car. It went away after I changed gear oil in my tranny. Weird....

[OptionZero]

thanks bro time for another parts run from the stealership =P

[OptionZero]

Hey does anyone have a torque spec for those t-bolts?

[aznpoopy]

i just torqued it as hard as i could with a 3 foot long breaker bar. been running fine for quite a while now. i checked recently and they haven't loosened.

just out of curiosity, how much did the dealer charge for those bolts?

[OptionZero]

I haven't ordered anything yet (weekends, closed).

I went out and looked under the car, and although I'm not entirely certain what I"m looking at (diagram and picture isn't the sharpest...), i think I do see the bolts THERE, but i couldn't check the torque because I didn't want to remove the crossmember. Limited access.

Now i'm thinking if i should just tighten the ones that are there or buy new bolts and replace these along the way...i'll check how much they cost first and let ya guys know, if they're cheap i'll just grab the set.

[SoSideways]

I haven't ordered anything yet (weekends, closed).

I went out and looked under the car, and although I'm not entirely certain what I"m looking at (diagram and picture isn't the sharpest...), i think I do see the bolts THERE, but i couldn't check the torque because I didn't want to remove the crossmember. Limited access.

Now i'm thinking if i should just tighten the ones that are there or buy new bolts and replace these along the way...i'll check how much they cost first and let ya guys know, if they're cheap i'll just grab the set.

You shouldn't have to unbolt the crossmember to check those "t bolts" that mounts the tranny mount onto the tranny itself.

There are 2 access holes in the middle of the tranny crossmember that are right underneath the 2 "t bolts". Just jack your car up and stock a torque wrench on it.

[OptionZero]

ok, i'm probably looking for the wrong thing then, i'll get the car up again today and take another gander

[OptionZero]

Got under again and accessed through those holes mentioned.
Set torque wrench to about 66 lbs/ft, about lug nut power...limited access and reach meant i couldn't even get the full 66, but i was able to get in several turns

Took it for a test drive, and physical vibration was significantly reduced, down to regular levels. Audible noise was still there...but i'm gonna change tranny fluid in the coming weeks.

Zilvia Tech tip:
If you've had a tranny swap/install and you're getting vibrations at 5k...check the tighten the bolts connecting the tranny mount to the tranny, probably to over 50lbs/ft.

I wish i had an exact torque setting, it'd be good to know if i could push it any fu rther.