Need help w/ sloppy shifter

[Hair]

My truck has a automatic 2-speed powerglide. The column shifter is VERY sloppy. You can't tell what gear it's in by looking at the indicator, you just have to feel around for it. It just sort of flops around with like 4" or 5" of slop before it will move into whatever gear. I want to tighten it up like new, but before I do, I wanted to know where to start looking first. I'm sure this is probably a common problem in these old trucks...so what is the most likely problem?...is it in the column, the linkage or what?

[m.lander]

i have the same irritating problem?

[leddzepp]

Probably your linkage...Take a look at Lokar products and Kugel Komponents. They make vey nice tranny linkage kits.

[Sinister]

X2, shift linkage. On my old '72 with a TH350 there was a spring down there. Sometimes you have to stretch it back out a little.

[dwcsr]

You'll have to rebuild your column and replace the shift rod bushings. I had the same problem. I replaced the upper nylon busing in the column and tightened up the lower bearing collar. The shift linkage and the bushing that attach it should be replaced as well. You can get most all the parts at the car and truck shop.com or classicparts.com. Mine now it almost like when it was new. The rest of the truck not so new...