Hello guys, I'm new to this forum but I was lurking a lot back when I replaced my clutch and master cylinder in December.
I drive a 2011 G37S with 6MT. The clutch was slipping badly the end of last year so I ended up getting an OEM clutch kit and master cylinder and my dad had a reputable (according to him) mechanic put everything in. I paid him $450 for labor and my total costs were around $800 less than the dealer would've charged.

But now I'm concerned. On my drive into work, everything seemed fine like it has for the last several weeks. But just as I went to turn left to pull into work, I heard a *THUNK* and my gear shifter dropped about an inch down into the center console. I can still shift gears, but I'm really worried that some mount for the transmission just broke or something. I really have no idea.
Maybe the mechanic didn't do a good job securing the transmission when he put it back in? Any thoughts? Should I park it? I usually have to drive a lot for work... and I've got an appointment to get to in an hour...

 

 

Nothing dropped out from the car when I heard the thunk. And I took a look underneath. Everything looked normal. I'm really concerned about driving it...

 

Well I drove it about 3 miles. The shifter sorta just bounces up and down. I'm going to park it for the time being until I can figure out what to do.
Fortunately it's abnormally warm right now where I live, so the motorcycle is coming out early this year...

 

Is it possible the linkage bolt came unbolted and backed off just enough so that it's hanging there at an angle, hence the sudden drop? If you're still loosely shifting the car, then it's still moving the linkage... but not for long.

Wow. That must be a scary thing to happen while you're driving. Kind of like having your CSC fail on you without warning. Also not fun.

 

+1 to Rochester's post.

The shifter bolt is covered by a rubber boot--assuming it was put back on and/or not ripped to shreds. That's where I'd look.

 

Thanks so much for the information. Do you think it's unsafe to drive it 10 miles to a shop, or should it be towed?
Does the transmission need to be dropped to access the linkage bolt?

 

No, you don't have to drop anything for access, other than the underside rubber linkage boot that Lego mentioned... assuming it's still there.

Unsafe to drive 10 miles to a shop? I would be terrified, if doing that in traffic with stops and turns, etc. However, if it's a straight shot, with minimal traffic, and you're comfortable knowing that you may have to coast to the side of the road and call for a tow... maybe risk it. IDK man. I'm just some guy on the internet with an uneducated guess as to your problem. My only good advice would be to leave the house with the phone number of a flatbed towing company in your phone.

Good luck, OP. Let's hope that's all it is, and you can get the car to a shop without losing the ability to shift.

And if you need a new underside boot, it's pretty inexpensive. $15 at your local Infiniti parts department. Here's a pic of a replacement I bought last summer after installing my short-throw shifter. The original was ripped to shreds, and I've no idea how long it was like that. Could have been years.

 

Gotcha. Thanks again for your help. I seriously appreciate it.
One more question:
I pulled apart the shifter area (whatever you call it) in the center console. The inside rubber boot is still there. Is there some way I can verify the condition on the linkage? Do I have to pull the rubber boot out? It seems like I'll either rip it, or won't be able to get it back in. Do I need to undo the surrounding bolts?
I just want to see if I can take a look at it before I take it in to get it fixed.

 

There's a sharp-edged, square-ish bracket holding that upper rubber boot down. Remove the bracket, and the boot just slips up and off the shaft. I think you can see around the front down to the linkage, if you're looking to verify things, but don't quote me on that. Hmm, now that I'm looking at this picture, maybe not. Sorry.

The only reason I'm saying this is when I had my STS installed, I took down my center console for the job, and drove to/from the shop fully commando in that area. What a freaking racket on the highway! It's amazing how much sound is deadened with that upper rubber boot. Anyway, I clearly remember watching the pavement through that hole as I drove, so maybe you can see the linkage connection. Maybe. It's not a direct shot down to the linkage, however.



You can't access the linkage bolt from above. That has to be done from underneath.

Here, this may or may not be interesting reading. It's the thread I created last year with my STS.

https://www.myg37.com/forums/g37-sed...ion-mount.html

 

The linkage is not the issue since you stated "it shifts fine"

The shifter base and transmission are one piece, so either the rear of the transmission slipped down due to loose transmission mount, or the rear shifter mount broke or is loose.

I suspect the rear transmission mount since you mentioned the shifter "bounces up and down". Get under the car and have a close look.

For reference here is how the shifter mounts to the transmission:


Good luck!