manual transmission has no gears - only neutral

[bobokiller]

hey guys, just wanted to ask a question before I try to find a good shop to take my z to.

yesterday while driving, shifting in my 93 300zx 2+2 started to feel reaaaaaaaly strange. when it was in neutral, the gear stick had very little play to it. however, when it was in a gear it was really loose as if it was in neutral. i thought maybe all i needed to do was replace my bushings... well, after driving on it for about 10-15 mins after it started to feel weird, i pulled off into a parking lot, got my car all parked and as i went to put my car into first everything disconnected. i had no gears at all. i could move the gearstick around freely anywhere i wanted to with no resistance. the cars just stuck in neutral right now. could anyone try and tell me whats going on here?

i haven't been able to bring it into a shop yet cause i'm trying to find a good one here in sacramento CA. if anyone could recommend any that would be great. also, i apologize for the bad explanation, i'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to this stuff.

[Ace2cool]

Check to make sure the shifter linkage is still connected on the tail of the transmission.

[Shoey2]

definitley sounds like something disconnected. at leas it gave you a little warning, before giving up the ghost

[Oh Em Zee]

Pull off your center console trim following this guide: http://www.redlinegoods.com/Z32MTinstall.php
Remove rubber boots and inspect shifter support brackets, shift linkages and hardware.
It will only take an hour or so to get in and take a look.
I don't see this taking more than a phillips screwdriver and possibly a flat head for popping off the interior trim piece for inspection. You may need a 10\12mm wrench if it's the shifter support bracket (Typically the shifter will drop ~1" onto the top of the transmission when that fails though)

http://www.zspeedperformance.com/ZSpeed ... SP1007.htm


As far as a shop in Sacramento, Driven Authority / Matts Z Garage is the place to go.

[bobokiller]

thanks for the replies guys. i did end up taking out the center console so i could get a look and.. like one of you said, the linkage isn't connected. somehow the bolt fell out when i was driving, and it was only a matter of time i guess. doesn't explain the huge bolt i found on my driveway a few days ago where i park it though, so that cant be good neither haha.

also, thank you for those shop names! I knew there was one off power inn but i couldn't remember the name of it. heard they were really good though

[Shoey2]

i had a huge bolt come out of mine luckily got stuck in the plastic cover under the car...it was the pivot bolt for the alternator...belt squeel started about 2 days after.

[Ace2cool]

D:

That's.... interesting.