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Old 05-08-2009, 12:48 PM   #97 (permalink)
The HACK
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: California
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Drives: '06 BMW MZ4 Coupe
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KillerBee370 View Post
Yes, the lockout was definitely working at first. There's really nowhere for the spring to go so I don't think that's the problem. The "lockout" is really nothing more than a couple of THIN pieces of metal that hit eachother so maybe..? I dunno.
By the way I had the same problem on a Nissan Sentra SE-R and that had the factory shifter in it. It's a "design" issue I think, I've come across several 350Z owners that has this issue with reverse lock-out eventually wearing out through use. I had the same issue with my 350Z with the B&M unit. The lock-out worked for about 6 month and then a couple of times it wouldn't work, then eventually gave up. I took apart the shifter to inspect, and it looks like the material of the top cover plate is aluminum and the B&M stick is stainless steel, and the stainless steel actually wore away enough of the aluminum over time. The way the OEM stick sits, the lock-out tab hits the raised opening squarely. With the B&M assembly, the spring underneath the assembly is compressed more and they had to place the "nub" on the shifter just right otherwise the movement of the bottom spring wouldn't be enough to clear the opening.

To solve it on my 350Z I ended up welding a small piece of lead on top of the nub and then filing it down until it clears reverse lock-out. Eventually the aluminum wore away the lead and I just gave up on trying to find a good solution, and just be vigilant on my 5-6 shift.
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