Got the new B&M Shifter and the Bushings from James. I see from the shifer install it can all be done from the top but for one bolt without dropping the exhaust.

Anyone install the bushings without having to take the shifter linkage completely out of the car? If I have to take it out I'm afraid I will need to drop the exhaust.

Sorry can't find any previous posts on this that detail how to replace the bushings. I'll take some pictures and create a FAQ on this for Reed at CadillacFAQ.

Just trying to delegate my time for tomorrow, must be done by 3:15PM CST Cowboy kickoff.:alchi:

I thought I posted some pics last spring, but in any case, I installed the UUC bushings from the top without removing the shifter or lowering exhaust or any of that stuff.

Don't know if anyone else has had this problem, but I sure did! The bushings are split along one side and must each be slid onto one of two rods along which a steel bracket then slides; it's on this bracket that the shifter is mounted. Well, I had the bushings all lubed up with grease and could not for the life of me :rant2: get them into their respective places in the metal bracket. I ended up having to pull them back out, clean all the grease off, and bevel the leading edge of each bushing very slightly (~1/6" at about 45 degrees) on my grinder! After that, they went right in, no problem.

Ditto on the chamfer for the bushings. I could not get them started into the bracket without a chamfer.
With the console removed there is plenty of room to install them from the top. Be sure to align the split in the bushings opposite from the open space in the bracket. Otherwise can allow the bushing to twist.

Enjoy.

:yeah:

I was able to install the B&M and Bushings last Friday, and didn't need to remove the console, or drop the exhaust. I did need to use a LOT of lube to get the bushings installed.

Ian

are these dsmn bushings really worth it....I just dont have the time to screw with it...but if it makes a big difference I guess I ll go for it....

Lube, Lube, Lube! From the bottom is easy!

I pulled the old ones out from underneath the car. Then slobbed a bunch of white grease over the new bushings, slid them over the linkage bar, and used the handle end of a pair of channel locks (for leverage) to push them in and they just slid in no problem. Lots of lube, used something to pry in with leverage, and away you go.....no kidding. And yes, they are worth it.

I did them from the top, mine were a b*tch. Tolerances vary, so some go in easier and some harder. They are WAAAAY worth it, the shifter feels 1,000% better. I also upgraded to UUC.

I too beveled the leading edge (I used a dremel and a metal shaping bit) of the bushings. Even with lots of lube, they still won't go in, they kept twisting open. So I used plastic wire ties right at the part of the bushings closest to the front of the car to hold them together until I pried them into place with a channel lock's handle.

You have to take six screws out of the console to remove it, four at the back (move the seats all the way forward) and two upfront that you can see after removing the shifter boot. Be careful, there's a wire loom that's attached to the console, you can undo it up on the driver's side when you follow the wires.

You will really enjoy the difference!

Make sure that you clean all of that off. You dont want them moving around on the rods either. I pulled the shifter as its just too much of a pain trying to do the shifter and the bushings while its in the car. IMO.

Lube, Lube, Lube! From the bottom is easy!

I pulled the old ones out from underneath the car. Then slobbed a bunch of white grease over the new bushings, slid them over the linkage bar, and used the handle end of a pair of channel locks (for leverage) to push them in and they just slid in no problem. Lots of lube, used something to pry in with leverage, and away you go.....no kidding. And yes, they are worth it.


I was having a little trouble too, until I tumbled to the leveraging process and they slipped right on. :thumbsup:

are these dsmn bushings really worth it....I just dont have the time to screw with it...but if it makes a big difference I guess I ll go for it....I didn't notice the dramatic difference others have noticed, but with about 25k on the stock ones, I was glad I put the UUC ones in as the stockers were looking very tired.

Thanks everyone, all done from the top with the console removed. I too had to bevel the edges with a grinder to get them seated. Although I did try for 1.5 hours before I did so. After grinding a small bevel they popped right in.

Not sure how big a difference they make but with the new B&M shifter everything seems smoother and more solid. The shifts actually click into place with a noticabley shorter throw.

There is a little noise from the shifter but I can only hear it with the radio off. But an added bonus is I can hear the exhaust a little more on acceleration. Not sure why though as I put all the old stuffings back in.

Love that sound.:bouncy:

are these dsmn bushings really worth it....I just dont have the time to screw with it...but if it makes a big difference I guess I ll go for it....

I pulled the shifter for the install and my stock bushings were completely shot with less than 15k miles on them. Additionally, the stockers had worked their way almost 2/3's of the way out.

I ended up making a set of bushings myself out of urethane even harder than the ones James is selling and I'd never go back. I installed them at the same time as the UUC shifter. It took some serious persuasion to get them in so I was glad I pulled the shifter.