Small problem
 

Hey, So when I shift my truck into gear (86 c10 automatic with column shift) it doesn't seem to lock into place like my 1990 gmc van does. when sliding the truck into drive it will easily slip past and go into second gear, I have to kind of wiggle it into place. Dunno if that makes any sense lol but I find it annoying. When I put my van in drive I can just pull the shifter towards me and push it down until it hits drive and wont go past unless I pull it towards me the whole way down. its a very small problem but i'm just curious if its an easy fix or should I just learn to live with it?

Re: Small problem
 

the shifter needs adjustment

Re: Small problem
 

Ic, How would I adjust it?

Re: Small problem
 

Anyone know how I'd adjust the shifter to "lock" in place?

Re: Small problem
 

Your shift detent is inside the tranny, You have to drop the pan. Once the pan is off have someone move the shift lever (Make sure the tires are blocked on both sides), You will see a fan looking plate with notches in it. There's a spring steel lever with a roller on the end that contacts the notches in this fan plate, These spring steel levers get weak or break off over time.

You didn't mention what tranny you have but this is common on 350's and 400's.....

Re: Small problem
 

there are 2 seperate "locks" as it were. One is the detents metioned above inside the trans. The other is located in the upper steering colunm. This is the one you "feel" as you move the lever. There is a plate with notches of different depths cut into it that a square portion of the shift lever drop into under spring pressure. Most likely cause is the spring, either broken or weak. Does the lever feel like a spring is pushing it? There should be a good amount of pressure there pushing the stick away from you and that is what forces the lever into the notches and keeps it there. Also the pin holding the lever to the shift bowl also is known to walk out enough to make the stick feel loose. jim

Re: Small problem
 

Hey guys its the 350 turbo trans. There is lots of spring away from me in the lever. but it can be knocked out of gear if you bump the lever. Should I pull the tranny pan?

Re: Small problem
 

Joey, disconnect the linkage at the trans and try to move the bracket on the trans by hand. There should be a good amount of resistance and an audible click as it moves. If you don't get a click or the bracket rotates freely, the problem is in the trans. If I am not mistaken, the shift lever should move freely between neutral and drive but be blocked from moving into "R" or "D2". It should also lock itself firmly into "P". jim