3 in a Tree shift levers

[mjs94080]

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!

[mjs94080]

This is for a 1966 Chevy C10.

[MikeN]

Also, the gear lube inside the transmission can make it harder to shift until it warms up and thins out a bit.

[mjs94080]

Originally Posted by MikeN

Also, the gear lube inside the transmission can make it harder to shift until it warms up and thins out a bit.

gear lube, meaning transmission oil?


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.

[mjs94080]

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.

[ChrisDollins]

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

[Shorty Cox]

You may get some info from the link below...(if it works)

Shorty


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=256851

[66Submarine]

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.

[Shorty Cox]

I will never understand why somebody don't make a "rebuild kit" for these shifters. Hummmm just might be my retirement job!!!!

[66Submarine]

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.

[1963c-10]

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.

[Shorty Cox]

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

[Shorty Cox]

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

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by Shorty Cox

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

There is a small spring there.

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.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Shorty Cox

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

If you slide the rubber grommet back off the shift arm, and remove the cotter pin....there is a "u" shaped metal bushing....if you pull the shift arm out, there is a small spring that sits on the bottom on the shift arm. Same spring for auto's and manuals.

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

if you slide the rubber grommet back off the shift arm, and remove the cotter pin....there is a "u" shaped metal bushing....if you pull the shift arm out, there is a small spring that sits on the bottom on the shift arm. Same spring for auto's and manuals.

x2

[1963c-10]

Heres some pics that may help. The spring is #3719853

[Shorty Cox]

I stand corrected. I will have to look at mine. Mine may be missing!!!!!

[mjs94080]

Everybody...........thank you! Thank you very much!

You guyz rock!!!!!!!

[mjs94080]

https://www.classicmuscle.com/p-1208...le-spring.aspx

item #3719853 1964-1966 Lever Anti-Rattle Spring