How snug should the shifter rod joint be?

[clipper47]

Well I got the car up on jack stands high enough to get under and have a look at the shifter mechanism. The rod on the shifer shaft has a bit of play as does the rod joint. They both flex on their shafts about 1/16" play. I definitely think this may be the reason for the occasionally hard to get into 1st gear. What do you guys think? It looks like a PITA to get at the bolts to remove the steel shifter console unless the car is up high and the driveshaft is moved out of the way.

[clipper47]

Thanks, getting the car high is a problem for me. I would like to do a complete overhaul. The looseness is probably the issue. I have replaced the trans mounts and it has a UUC shortshift but not installed by me but by a previous owner. To get at that rod joint is going to be tough!

[Ralph in Socal]

Just replaced the shift rod joint on an 81 633 with 265 trans and sheetmetal console

I had to shorten the length of my linkage. I decided on changing to the later shift rod joint

First I removed the shift arm connection at the shifter under the car. Circlip or slide clip and plastic washers come out

Next remove the shifter from the console. Internal snap ring that can be popped out with a small screwdriver. Pull the shifter all the way out. Be ready with rags as it may be greasy

Then under the car remove the 2 nuts for the trans Crossmember. Use a jack to allow the trans to slowly descend This will lower the assembly about 2 inches

Next remove the 2 bolts holding the front of the console to the transmission mount blocks and also remove the nut at the rear of the console

The sheet metal console should be loose and able to move to the rear so that it can be pulled out

The shift rod can now be removed from the shift rod joint. Circlip or slide clip and more plastic washers will come out

At this point you will have much better access to the rod joint, The wide band clip is a PITA but so is the snap ring type as it is limited access

Picture shows my sheet metal console And the trans Crossmember lowered about 2 inches

Pic of different shift rod joints as before. I chose the one in Upper Left as that shortened my linkage and put the shifter in the correct position

Ralph

[Ralph in Socal]

This picture shows the internal buffer inside the shift rod joint. This eventually disintegrates and is part of the cause of a loose shifter

You will have to push the shift rod joint onto the selector shaft to be able to push the connecting pin into place. Good luck

Ralph

[clipper47]

Ralph, Many thanks for the explanation and pictures. Maybe this belongs in the Tech Articles forum? The car is put away dor the winter but I will be sourcing the parts and get prepared for this job in the spring which in these parts is likley May. I just need a way to get the car higher than on jackstandsl