Shift linkage re-greased

[Simons2k]

I noticed a little squeak this morning as I moved my shift lever side to side. Later this evening I decided to take apart the center console to get to the shift linkage and greased everything that moved or slid. WOW! What a difference a little bearing grease does. You can feel the difference. Shifting feels buttery smooth now. Took me just over an hour. Wanted to give everyone a heads up on this simple DIY.

Anyone else do this?

 

[HungX916]

My shiftings kinda feel crunchy (feels like it needs to be greased), maybe by greasing the shift linkage like you did might solve my problem. Thanks for sharing, ill post the result once i get it greased.

 

[53heloFE]

Great tip, thanks for sharing this with us.

 

[Simons2k]

No problem guys. Be sure to get the two rods that slide up and down in tubular sleeves. These are located near the e-brake cables.

Also, there are two joints that fasten the shift rod to the linkage. They are held with 10mm nuts/bolts. Be sure to remove them and apply grease there. Be careful not to lose the washers. Everywhere else, I just "pushed" the grease into the joints. Then enjoy the "hot knife in butter" feel

Should've taken some pics. Sorry.

 

[Simons2k]

My shiftings kinda feel crunchy (feels like it needs to be greased), maybe by greasing the shift linkage like you did might solve my problem. Thanks for sharing, ill post the result once i get it greased.

"Crunchy" or "stiff" is a good description. I felt the same thing and this little trick did it for me.

Definitely post your impressions :smile:

 

[HungX916]

"Crunchy" or "stiff" is a good description. I felt the same thing and this little trick did it for me.

Definitely post your impressions :smile:

I just picked up "mobil 1 synthetic grease" today, will work on this during the weekend. BTW, I have an 02 with only 22k miles and the gears shift really rough (mainly on 3rd gear, it crunches, but all the other gears doesn't crunch or feel notchy as much).

I even brought it to the dealer and they said its "prefectly fine", but it doesn't feel right to me, so helpfully this fix the problem!!! once again, will post results once its done!

 

[Simons2k]

I just picked up "mobil 1 synthetic grease" today, will work on this during the weekend. BTW, I have an 02 with only 22k miles and the gears shift really rough (mainly on 3rd gear, it crunches, but all the other gears doesn't crunch or feel notchy as much).

I even brought it to the dealer and they said its "prefectly fine", but it doesn't feel right to me, so helpfully this fix the problem!!! once again, will post results once its done!

When was the last time you had your transmission oil changed? I just did that a last month and it eliminated a little notchiness.

With this DIY you should feel the difference in the garage just running through the gears. Just so it's clear with what this will help with.

 

[HungX916]

I took it to the dealer 2 weeks ago, they checked the tranny fluid's level and test drove it, but didn't replace the transmission fluid (Even though the gears are very crunchy and it makes rough "click click" noise mainly shifting to 3rd, sometimes other gears). They also said "everything its fine". So, all I'm hoping now by greasing the shift link will solve this problem.
By the way, transmission fluid change every 60k miles? I bought it when its only 20k, I put 2k miles in two months, so I didn't think I would need to change the transmission fluid this early. But thanks tips.

 

[53heloFE]

I took it to the dealer 2 weeks ago, they checked the tranny fluid's level and test drove it, but didn't replace the transmission fluid (Even though the gears are very crunchy and it makes rough "click click" noise mainly shifting to 3rd, sometimes other gears). They also said "everything its fine". So, all I'm hoping now by greasing the shift link will solve this problem.
By the way, transmission fluid change every 60k miles? I bought it when its only 20k, I put 2k miles in two months, so I didn't think I would need to change the transmission fluid this early. But thanks tips.

If yours is still under warranty then they are probably blowing you off so that you will have to pay for a repair later. Press the issue hard if it is stil in warranty. Have you tried letting another NSX owner drive the car and driving theirs to see if another acts the same way?

 

[Simons2k]

I took it to the dealer 2 weeks ago, they checked the tranny fluid's level and test drove it, but didn't replace the transmission fluid (Even though the gears are very crunchy and it makes rough "click click" noise mainly shifting to 3rd, sometimes other gears). They also said "everything its fine". So, all I'm hoping now by greasing the shift link will solve this problem.
By the way, transmission fluid change every 60k miles? I bought it when its only 20k, I put 2k miles in two months, so I didn't think I would need to change the transmission fluid this early. But thanks tips.

I kinda follow my own schedule for maintenance. I change the tranny oil every other time I change the engine oil. Most people would consider this excessive. I learned that the the tranny oil, unlike engine oil, is neither cooled nor filtered and for the most part, not circulated like the engine oil. So it takes a beating with all the heat cycles it goes through. The number of heat cycles is what really kills lubricants not neccesarily miles. It's so easy to do, I just do it in conjunction with my engine oil change. It's rather inexpensive too $10 for oil (Honda MTF) and a new washer. Call it overkill maybe but $10 is a small price to pay for peace of mine.

You might have low mileage but remember, your transmission oil has been sitting in that case for 4 years! I'd change it out!

Lastly, with any car, how many times have you seen a tranny die-out before the engine? Almost always! I wonder why? Food for thought.

 

[HungX916]

If yours is still under warranty then they are probably blowing you off so that you will have to pay for a repair later. Press the issue hard if it is stil in warranty. Have you tried letting another NSX owner drive the car and driving theirs to see if another acts the same way?

Its would be nice to find another NSX owner around Sacramento, but I test drove a 98 nsx before and the notchiness feeling of the 1st gear is similar to mine (but mine feels a little rough). I will make a post in Northwest section for nsx owners and try to meet them up for test drive

And Yes, I'm still under warranty (until March 07). I was thinking the same "blowing you off so that you will have to pay for a repair later" But nothing I can do, since I don't know much about nsx and how it functions. But It would be nice to have another nsx owner to come with me to their dealer and talk to them (if my transmission is bad, or something is wrong, since they said "its prefectly fine" when they took it for a ride.

appreciate the help!