Not really Engine Tech, but related enough, I guess.

I have half of an Energy Suspension polyurethane shifter stabilizer kit on my GSR; now I'm trying to do the second half and failing.

Installed the front urethane piece and it was a breeze. Now I'm trying to put on the rear piece, which goes on the shift rod below where the shifter comes through the floorpan.

The end of the rod is flared outwards, and the poly material is tough enough that it is a *nasty* job trying to slip the new piece on over the flare. It's also in a small space, the shifter/exhaust tunnel, with lotsa sharp edges. What fun.

Anyone get this done successfully and know what works?

 

Never mind, I got it.

The trick is to slip the bushing over one of the two lips of the flared section, using a lot of grease, apply pressure in the inward direction (bushing going onto the rod) and then pry around the edge with a long screwdriver.

You'll want a padded glove to be able to exert a lot of force with the pushing hand. You should also use a pair of polycarbonate safety glasses b/c of the screwdriver. I didn't have any eye protection, and when the bushing popped onto the rod, the screwdriver flew free and nearly took out my right cornea. Yikes! Learn from my lack of caution.

 

do the bushings make a big difference?

 

yes they do if u leave them out u eventually break down the metal screw inside and cause damage to the shift linkage, or the screw just comes undone and u no longer can shift while driving. not fun, yah its a pita, trying to lay under the car, barly able to move while fumbling with the outter and inner peice while trying to hold it all together, and putting a screw thru it all with ur other hand while having gunk fall all over ur face, i did it a week ago when i put in a new engine, i hate the little stuff like that, always the biggest pita.

 

how does it affect shifting? is the movement smoother, or do the bushings just strengthen the shifting linkage and prevent future breakage?

 

The shift movement isn't really smoother, but it is more precise since there is less deflection in the poly compared to rubber.

I like my poly's too.

 

Both, I think.

The bushings are in two pieces, each replacing one factory part. I did the front one, where the rods reach the tranny, first. Just did the rear one, where the shifter comes down through the floorpan, this last weekend.

The urethane used in these parts is noticeably softer than that used in suspension bushings. You can bend and flex it easily in your hands.

These do change the dynamics of the shifter, though, because they are stiffer than the OEM rubber. I can feel subtle movements of synchro engagement now that were previously soaked up in the bushings. Feels smoother, too, but the change is not radical. I found the improvement in feel and handling to be much greater with the poly suspension parts.

Note that if you install only half the set, odd things may happen. I drove for two weeks with urethane in front, factory rubber in back, and when I got the tach over 7K, the shifter would buzz very loudly. Now that the rear bushing is also urethane, that is gone.

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