Shifter in backwards....??

[Nick370]

Hey guys, so weird question, and admittedly a lazy one...

I recently dropped my trans to replace my wonderful CSC... long story short, while removing the shifter I ruined the stock knob. Thanks to the370z I was able to source an almost perfect one for a reasonable price. However, when I screw it on, the thread bottoms out to where the shifter is facing backwards.... Is it possible that I installed the shifter backwards?

So, hopefully the forum can be so kind, the shifter when it bolts to the trans is like a fork with a bolt going through it, so essentially if I remove the bolt from the bottom of the shifter could I spin it and in turn spin the whole shifter so the knob would then face front when bottomed out? OR does the whole shifter have to come out? I can't recall the specifics of how the shifter is placed in there...hopefully someone can help.

Admittedly I know Im being lazy for not just attempting it myself and asking here first... please forgive me

[redondoaveb]

I can't remember on the stock shifter but on my TWM it has a reverse lockout pin that has to face the passenger side so it has to be installed one way.

[Nick370]

So after re-reviweing the FSM, as pictured below in looks like there is a certain type of "notch" that is to contact the guide plate, and I specifically remember following the necessary sequence of tightening guide plate bolts, from the diagram if that notch, was affixed to line up with the guide plate, it would be impossible for the shifter to be in wrong... so Im confused why my shifter ends up backwards every single time...

[redondoaveb]

Originally Posted by Nick370

So after re-reviweing the FSM, as pictured below in looks like there is a certain type of "notch" that is to contact the guide plate, and I specifically remember following the necessary sequence of tightening guide plate bolts, from the diagram if that notch, was affixed to line up with the guide plate, it would be impossible for the shifter to be in wrong... so Im confused why my shifter ends up backwards every single time...

The shifter has to be placed to where image "C"in the picture on the shifter is facing the passenger side as shown in the picture, that's the reverse lockout pin. If not, that would make it 180 degrees off and you wouldn't have to push down on the shifter to get it into reverse.

[Nick370]

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

The shifter has to be placed to where image "C"in the picture on the shifter is facing the passenger side as shown in the picture, that's the reverse lockout pin. If not, that would make it 180 degrees off and you wouldn't have to push down on the shifter to get it into reverse.

Well okay then, it much be in the proper way... I just dont know why every time I install the knob if faces backward upon full tighten ...

[redondoaveb]

Originally Posted by Nick370

Well okay then, it much be in the proper way... I just dont know why every time I install the knob if faces backward upon full tighten ...

It may not have been tightened all the way down from the factory, that's why they add so much loctite. Why don't you loctite it in place like they did at the factory. Back it off 180 degrees to where it feels comfortable and let the loctite set up overnight.

[SouthArk370Z]

Can you put a nut on the shaft? If so, install nut until it bottoms out, install knob until it bottoms out on nut, back off knob until it is aligned the way you want it, tighten nut against bottom of knob.

[Nick370]

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Can you put a nut on the shaft? If so, install nut until it bottoms out, install knob until it bottoms out on nut, back off knob until it is aligned the way you want it, tighten nut against bottom of knob.

Brilliant, Ill give that a go, hopefully one will fit into the opening at bottom of stock shift knob...

Thanks for all the help guys...

If that doesnt work ill just go with the thread lock method

[Trips]

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

It may not have been tightened all the way down from the factory, that's why they add so much loctite. Why don't you loctite it in place like they did at the factory. Back it off 180 degrees to where it feels comfortable and let the loctite set up overnight.

This ^

[JARblue]

Originally Posted by redondoaveb

It may not have been tightened all the way down from the factory, that's why they add so much loctite. Why don't you loctite it in place like they did at the factory. Back it off 180 degrees to where it feels comfortable and let the loctite set up overnight.

I can guarantee this is the situation. The original knob is not fully screwed on at the factory, which is why Nissan uses a gallon of loctite on the shift knobs - to properly orient the knob and make sure it stays that way through the life of the vehicle.

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Can you put a nut on the shaft? If so, install nut until it bottoms out, install knob until it bottoms out on nut, back off knob until it is aligned the way you want it, tighten nut against bottom of knob.

My TWM Desert Eagle shift knob came with a nut on the inside threads of the shift knob and a flat-head tool to adjust the nut to ensure the orientation is correct as well as allowing some height adjustment as desired. However, I still find this method difficult to get the knob perfectly aligned and also tightened sufficiently. A small dot of loctite on the shifter assembly threads will make life much easier for those that are OCD about the orientation/alignment of the shift knob and don't want it coming loose down the road.

[SouthArk370Z]

Originally Posted by JARblue

... A small dot of loctite on the shifter assembly threads will make life much easier for those that are OCD about the orientation/alignment of the shift knob and don't want it coming loose down the road.

My emphasis.

+1. I try to avoid Loctite (great stuff but can make disassembly difficult), but when I do have to use it I go by the Brylcreem Principle ("a little dab'll do ya").

[Nick370]

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

My emphasis.

+1. I try to avoid Loctite (great stuff but can make disassembly difficult), but when I do have to use it I go by the Brylcreem Principle ("a little dab'll do ya").

Yeah just going to go this route... get some of the "medium strength (blue)" thread lock and affix it perfectly.

Thanks for the help !

[Rusty]

Or do what I did. I used a washer that fit into the shift knob. Put the washer in the knob and screw down. If it doesn't line up. Remove washer and try a different thickness of washer. It may take a couple of tries until you find the right thickness. I ended up grinding a little off each time I tried it until I got the right thickness.

[jwick]

I know I have a G but the nut inside the shifter is nylon. Just back it up a half turn and go about your day.

[scope22]

if you want to be able to easily remove the knob you can use plumbers nylon tape, wrap a bit of it at the top