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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Colfax California
Posts: 1,644
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TONS of slop in the column shifter
I have a 3 speed auto and the column shifter is so sloppy you have to feel for reverse and drive, and good luck finding neutral. Is there a way to have a nice tight shift on an old column? If so how do I do it?
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#2 |
How did I get this OLD!
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Lamont County, AB, CANADA
Posts: 1,047
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Great question. I'm looking for the same answer.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: St. Clair, Missouri
Posts: 122
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
I am subscribed. I can obtain an auto column that is nice and tight for a c-note. Not sure I want to change it out or rob parts, like the shifter cup, etc...?
Tom
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1972 GMC C1500 350/350 1965 Mustang 2+2 289 4spd, show-car 1965 Mustang Coupe 289 4spd, stoplight racer 1/2 dozen Wheelhorse Tractors ![]() |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Durango, CO
Posts: 827
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Consider me sub'd.
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1972 K10 Cheyenne Super | LWB, fleetside | 350/350/205 | KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne | SWB, fleetside | LS Swap 5.3/4L60 | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 400/4-spd | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 455/4-spd | TOTALED ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Omaha NE
Posts: 620
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Me too! sub'd
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 500
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Me too..
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: WARRENSBURG,MISSOURI,64093
Posts: 1,518
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There are several bushings between the column shifter, shifter to rod, rod to transmission bell crank.
I found that the bell crank that mounts on the chassis, and connects to the transmission shift lever, had major wear on these pieces. I got an assortment of bronze bushings ( mine were from my work) but most parts houses should have them. I took the bushing that fit the pivot pin (part of the bracket that bolts to your chassis) and then I drilled the hole in the corresponding piece that slides on the pivot (part that attaches to the transmission lever) until it was a snug fit for the bushing to stay put. That firmed up that play, next, my shifter rod had a huge portion of the pin that fits inside a nylon or rubber bushing that fits in the bell crank (piece that ties the column shifter rod to the transmission lever) well, you can either try and weld buildup the factory one, or look for a better one at a salvage yard, or make one like I did.take in mind, I have a machine shop at my work, and its easy for me to make small pieces on a metal lathe, which is what I have done for mine. Basically, I measured the inside diameter of the shifter detent plate on the end of the column (under the brake master cylinder/booster) I then made a split bushing sort of looks like a top hat (the smaller diameter fits inside the hole in the shifter detent, (the larger diameter sits on the shoulder of the hole in the detent plate hole) kinda like a side view of an "Oreo Cookie" if you get my meaning. A sandwich bushing that fits in the shifter hole. I made an identical split bushing for the bell crank. Then, I measured the distance between holes of the bushings(with both the transmission in park and shifter in park. This gave me a "ball park" measurement for my shifter rod. I went a little overboard with mine, as I crafted mine out of Stainless Steel tubing and sperical rod ends. I had to tap each end of the tubing for 1/2" -20 NF (right hand and left hand threads) So I could make this adjustable, like a turnbuckle. Once I got it all together, it's plenty solid, and moves very freely, plus no slop! I'll post some pictures later. Ben ![]() |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 750
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
To find out what is loose you need to have someone try and shift it while you are under the truck seeing what has got the slop in it
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 547
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
I think I have a similar problem.
I had a buddy shift the truck while I was under it. Nothing moved. Everything was solid and tight. I eventually determined that the extra "slop" is with this part on the column (see pic) and have no clue where to start on how to fix it. Is this the same thing you are seeing? ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: kearney nebraska
Posts: 613
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
sub'd to this. i made sure my linkage was tight and everything i could easily see/access but no luck
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1972 GMC C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 547
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Leon,
Let me correct my problem. My level shifts fine into every gear. I just have a lot of slop in the lever. I meant that when my buddy was moving the shifter, there was no movement or "slop" in the linkage or detent. All of my slop is on that (ugly) orange piece that I drew the red arrow on. |
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Colfax California
Posts: 1,644
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Quote:
Someone mentioned above about a ball in the end of the shift lever, I'm gonna check this out. Glad so many guys needed this fix! We have a lot of good sources on this site |
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#13 | |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,515
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Quote:
Gotcha, See if this thread helps any. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=376087 Read the whole thread but in post #13 there are 2 handles pictured, one has a small rubber grommet/bushing on the end of it and on the other one it is missing. That could make it sloppy if yours is missing. LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - Last edited by LockDoc; 02-10-2016 at 03:24 PM. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 547
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
I pulled my lever last night. There is a ball on it. No bushing.
Once I put it back in, things got a little worse. It will just shift through the gears, no need to pull the handle towards me anymore. I guess I'll replace the bushing and clean/lube things up a little bit and see what happens. |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Quote:
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 547
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Colfax California
Posts: 1,644
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Quote:
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 547
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
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#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 4,887
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
I recently rebuilt a '71 auto column and put it in a different truck. One thing I did to increase the "feel" of the column was to re-build the detent area on the lower column. This is the area in LockDoc's picture where the arrow is pointing. The bump wears down with time to almost nothing. I prepped and welded the bump until it was built back up, then shaped it correctly. All the other linkages, etc. are new and with this improvement the column feels factory. Hope that helps.
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'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
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#20 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Prescott Arizona
Posts: 621
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Re: TONS of slop in the column shifter
Subscribed for someday project.
No bushing kits?
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1968 Long Bed 2016 Honda Civic Coupe EX-T ticket magnet |
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