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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Frsico, Ca.
Posts: 40
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3 in a Tree shift levers
I have a three in a Tree shift.
In cold weather it is hard to shift. The forums say to clean and lube the top shift socket. I remove the 3 in a Tree column shift lever, and a spring is sitting in there. Broken in half. I suppose the spring fits into the end of that 3 in a Tree shift lever. Do you know where I can get that little spring? It was mentioned in a thread: "If the shifter is hard to move when the weather is cold, the grease under the shift socket on top is old and dried out, just take the wheel off and turn signal and clean and lube it up on top." Is the shift socket the part of the column where the shift lever sits? The thread mentioned to take off steering wheel and turn signal, and to clean and lube it up. What kind of grease do you use? Graphite Grease? Thank! |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Frsico, Ca.
Posts: 40
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
This is for a 1966 Chevy C10.
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 797
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
Also, the gear lube inside the transmission can make it harder to shift until it warms up and thins out a bit.
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Frsico, Ca.
Posts: 40
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
Quote:
also, do you know of anything about that little spring that sits with the column shift lever? Im having trouble locating info or spring replacement about this little spring. I cant even find an exploded diagram or spec sheet on this anywhere on the net. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Frsico, Ca.
Posts: 40
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
Its difficult to pull shift lever towards me to shift into reverse, without having to use both arms in cooler weather.
I cant believe theres no other info on that little spring or the assembly of the shift lever.... I guess its ancient technology since 3 in a Tree systems are disappearing. ![]() |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pocahontas, AR
Posts: 554
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
I don't know anything about the spring, but I just sprayed pb blaster on the joints under the hood and used jack oil (was closest to me at the time lol) and soaked the shift arm and pulled the steering wheel and dripped it down there. Worked the lever and it slicked perfectly up. Still working perfect to this day. Even snaps forward to assist in going into second. I fought with the stiff shifting for two winters because I thought it was going to be a hassle. Wish I would've done it sooner. I'm sure there is a proper fix, but this worked for me, and has for a couple of years.
Chris
__________________
1966 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=615165 1968 GTO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7650182 |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Liberal, Ks, Us
Posts: 1,091
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
You may get some info from the link below...(if it works)
Shorty http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=256851 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dallas, GA
Posts: 1,497
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=256851 (Didn't work with the "..." in it.) EDIT: Huh, mine shows up like that too, but yours actually links with the "..." in the URL for some reason. Weird.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Liberal, Ks, Us
Posts: 1,091
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
I will never understand why somebody don't make a "rebuild kit" for these shifters. Hummmm just might be my retirement job!!!!
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dallas, GA
Posts: 1,497
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
I made a couple of aluminum bushings up real quick on the lathe for mine; maybe I'll make some extras up and try selling them sometime.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: fayetteville nc
Posts: 10,338
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
Make sure the plastic shift rod bushings at the rod/column are still intact. A lot of them get brittle and fall out. You will probably have to source a used spring....I'll see if I have any extras in my stash.
__________________
1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Liberal, Ks, Us
Posts: 1,091
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
If I’m understanding correct, the problem you are having is lifting the shifter lever in order to engage reverse and first gear. The “spring” located at the lower end of the shift tube is what causes the shift to default to the third/second position. If it is broken, it may be difficult to lift the shift lever to engage first and reverse.
Somewhere is a thread where there are photos of a shift tube disassembled. Do a search for it. Having said that, the shift tube is not a complicated thing. Very easy to disassemble and work on. Shorty |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Liberal, Ks, Us
Posts: 1,091
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
mjs94080, I just re-read your post. "I remove the 3 in a Tree column shift lever, and a spring is sitting in there. Broken in half." Are you referring to the actual shift handle on the inside of the truck, held to the column with a small pin? If so, there is not a "spring" located there. There is a small "U" shaped bushing that the lever saddles into, but no spring. The spring is located at the lower end of the shift tube engine side of the firewall.
Shorty |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dallas, GA
Posts: 1,497
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
Quote:
I think his actual problem is just gummed-up grease/oil; probably would shift fine if he just sprayed the firewall side of the mechanism with penetrating oil as Chris described. I had to do that to my truck when I put the column shift back, and my '71 had the same thing happen; you could hardly move the shifter back to select a gear (auto column) when it was cold.
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1965 C30 pickup 350/SM420/4.10's (daily driver) thread 1968 Impala 4 door sedan (future driver project) thread Last edited by 66Submarine; 08-15-2014 at 03:00 PM. |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: fayetteville nc
Posts: 10,338
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
Quote:
__________________
1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dallas, GA
Posts: 1,497
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
x2
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: fayetteville nc
Posts: 10,338
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
Heres some pics that may help. The spring is #3719853
__________________
1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Liberal, Ks, Us
Posts: 1,091
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
I stand corrected. I will have to look at mine. Mine may be missing!!!!!
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Frsico, Ca.
Posts: 40
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
Everybody...........thank you! Thank you very much!
You guyz rock!!!!!!! |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Frsico, Ca.
Posts: 40
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Re: 3 in a Tree shift levers
https://www.classicmuscle.com/p-1208...le-spring.aspx
item #3719853 1964-1966 Lever Anti-Rattle Spring ![]() |
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