Shifter Bushes with Fitting Position Front Axle, Rear Axle for HOLDEN COMMODORE VT Sedan and Wagon

Nolathane shifter bushes replace the worn bushes in the VT Sedan and Wagon COMMODORE manual gearbox shift mechanism, the small pivots and mounts that connect the gear lever to the gearbox. When they?re new, every gear change feels positive and precise. As they wear, the lever develops play, gears become harder to find, and the shift starts to feel vague, sloppy or notchy.

Polyurethane shifter bushings restore a tight, direct gear change on manual passenger cars, performance and all-wheel-drive vehicles, classic vehicles and manual dual cab utes. They?re a small part that makes a noticeable difference every time you change gear.

How Shifter Bushes Work on the VT Sedan and Wagon COMMODORE

A manual gear lever doesn?t connect directly to the gears. Its movement passes through a linkage, a series of rods, levers and pivots or, on some vehicles, a selector mechanism mounted on or near the gearbox. Each pivot and mounting point uses a bush that allows the parts to move while keeping them in the correct position.

These bushes also isolate the cabin from engine and gearbox vibration, which is why factory shifter bushes are usually soft rubber. The trade-off is that soft bushes let the linkage deflect slightly with every shift, and that deflection grows as the rubber wears.

Why Shifter Bushes Wear Out

Shifter and selector bushes don?t carry large loads, but they move with every gear change over the life of the vehicle. Wear is accelerated by:

• Hundreds of thousands of gear changes over high kilometres
• Heat from the gearbox, exhaust and engine
• Gearbox oil and grease softening rubber
• Engine and drivetrain vibration
• Enthusiastic driving and fast, forceful shifts
• Work vehicles that change gears constantly in stop-start or off-road driving

Because the wear builds up gradually, many drivers get used to a sloppy shift and don?t realise how much precision has been lost until new bushes are fitted.

Signs of Worn VT Sedan and Wagon COMMODORE Shifter Bushings

• Excessive side-to-side or fore-and-aft play in the gear lever
• Vague or uncertain gear selection, especially across the gate
• Missed gears or difficulty finding a gear quickly
• A notchy or inconsistent shift feel
• The gear lever rattling or buzzing at certain engine speeds
• The lever moving noticeably when accelerating or decelerating
• Cracked, split or perished rubber visible at the shift linkage or selector

Some of these symptoms can also come from worn gearbox mounts, clutch problems or internal gearbox wear. If the gear lever moves freely without moving the linkage, the shifter bushes are the likely cause.

Benefits of Replacing Shifter Bushes

• A more positive, precise gear change
• Shorter, more defined movement between gears
• Fewer missed gears during fast or off-road driving
• Reduced lever rattle and buzz
• Longer service life than factory rubber bushes

Polyurethane, Rubber and Solid Shifter Bushes

Shifter bushes are available in several materials, each with a different feel:

• Rubber is the factory choice. It?s quiet and absorbs vibration but deflects and wears out.
• Polyurethane holds the linkage firmly for a crisper shift while still absorbing some vibration.
• Solid bushes, made from hard plastics or metal, give the most direct feel but transmit the most noise and vibration into the cabin.

For most road vehicles, polyurethane offers the best balance between precision and comfort. Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. The signature red bushings are made in a range of durometers (hardness grades) for each position, and offer outstanding abrasion resistance, increased tensile strength and resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering.

The honest trade-off is that firmer shifter bushes can transmit a little more gearbox vibration through the lever than soft factory rubber.

Vehicle Compatibility

Shifter bushes suit manual transmission vehicles, including passenger and performance cars, all-wheel-drive vehicles with five- and six-speed manuals, classic vehicles, and manual dual cab utes. The design of the shift mechanism varies widely between vehicles, so kits are made for specific gearboxes and positions. Each listing shows the vehicles the kit suits and the fitting position, and our fitment guarantee means the kit you order for your VT Sedan and Wagon COMMODORE is confirmed to suit it.

Replacing Shifter Bushes on Your VT Sedan and Wagon COMMODORE

Shifter bush replacement suits professional workshops and experienced home mechanics. How involved the job is depends heavily on the vehicle. On some, the bushes can be reached by removing the centre console and shifter boot. On others, the exhaust, heat shields or even part of the gearbox mounting need to be removed to reach the selector mechanism. As a general guide:

1. Make sure the vehicle is in neutral, the park brake is on and the vehicle is securely supported if working underneath.
2. Remove the console, boot or underbody components needed to reach the shift linkage or selector.
3. Note the position of each part, then remove the linkage or selector components.
4. Remove the old bushes and clean the mounting points.
5. Fit the new bushes with a grease suitable for polyurethane, such as a silicone or PTFE-based grease.
6. Reassemble, tighten all fasteners to specification and check that every gear engages cleanly before driving.

Shifter Bushes and Gearbox Mounts

On many vehicles, the shift linkage connects the cabin to a gearbox that moves on its own rubber mounts. If the gearbox mount is worn, the whole gearbox can rock under load, pulling the linkage with it and making the lever move on its own. For the most precise result, check the gearbox mount when replacing shifter bushes, as fresh bushes connected to a gearbox that moves freely won?t deliver their full benefit.

The Value of New Shifter Bushes

Shifter bushes are inexpensive compared with most drivetrain repairs. On vehicles where the bushes are easy to reach, replacing them is a quick job that restores a precise shift. On vehicles where the selector is harder to access, combining the job with other work, such as a clutch replacement or exhaust repair, avoids paying for the same labour twice.

Lifetime Warranty

Nolathane shifter bushes are backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, for the original vehicle they?re fitted to.

Shop Shifter Bushes for Your VT Sedan and Wagon COMMODORE

A sloppy gear change often comes with worn gearbox mount bushes too, which you will find in Nolathane's transmission parts range.

Find the shifter bushes for your VT Sedan and Wagon COMMODORE, then order online with fast shipping or have them fitted by a Nolathane reseller. 60-day returns give you time if a part isn?t right, and our local support team can help whether you?re tightening a sloppy shift on a high-kilometre car, servicing a manual ute or sharpening the gear change on a performance build.