Column Auto Shift Handle Problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rn2fine · 11-27-2007, 03:28 AM

I have a question about my C10 auto trans shifter. In recent months it has become very difficult to pull back on the column handle. Once it is back it moves to RND21 just fine. Any thoughts or remedies for this problem.

lbpd719 · 11-27-2007, 05:22 AM

are you parking uphill and putting pressure on the pawl?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-27-2007, 05:51 AM

It sounds like the shift tube is sticky so I would suggest lubing it at the top and bottom. Spray top and bottom areas with a penetrant. On the top it works to spray the penetrant into the shift lever hole as you can usually hit the sliding points.
The bottom is more accessible so it is easier to hit the spot that moves up and down.

The alternative would be to dissassemble the column and apply a lube on the areas that slide.

Jim

dave2953 · 11-27-2007, 09:25 PM

Mine was so stiff when it was cold that I had to use two hands to get it into and out of park. I sprayed WD-40 down the hole where the shifter is until it ran out of the end of the column. It's worked beautifully ever since.

68caliRat · 11-27-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave2953

Mine was so stiff when it was cold that I had to use two hands to get it into and out of park. I sprayed WD-40 down the hole where the shifter is until it ran out of the end of the column. It's worked beautifully ever since.

Yup I had to do the same thing.

rn2fine · 11-28-2007, 01:15 AM

Thanks everyone. I am going to try the WD40 trick tomorrow. Thanks again.

71tahoe · 11-28-2007, 07:38 PM

Lucky you it never gets cold in your part of the country. At about 40 degrees that gummed up lever can break the tip off inside the column. (Hope you're still parked in your driveway when it happens.)

Give it an extra squirt for me

69C10@16 · 11-28-2007, 08:40 PM

Wait a tick....I have a 69 wit a th350....r u supposed to have to pull back on the shifter handle to git it out a park?????? b/c if so....mine just drops...push ever so slightly on the top and its in drive....it wont go all the way down into 1st either....but i thot that was just loose linkage and the shifter hit the stopper on the column b4 it got there....now im beginning to wonder.....any suggestions or idears?????? Dang it now im all worried....GRRRRRRRRR.

rn2fine · 11-30-2007, 01:36 AM

69c10@16, yep, you should have to pull on it before going from park to R. Its a safety feature and if yours is moving too freely I would talk with others around here to find out a fix. I am pleased to report that a few squirts of WD40 did the trick. Works great now. Thanks again for the great advice everyone.

11-27-2007, 03:28 AM	#1
rn2fine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 157	Column Auto Shift Handle Problem I have a question about my C10 auto trans shifter. In recent months it has become very difficult to pull back on the column handle. Once it is back it moves to RND21 just fine. Any thoughts or remedies for this problem. __________________ 72 C10 Burb 350 700R4 70 C20 LWB 350 Crate TH400 68 Chevelle

11-27-2007, 05:22 AM	#2
lbpd719 Zappaphile! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Banos, California Posts: 228	Re: Column Auto Shift Handle Problem are you parking uphill and putting pressure on the pawl? __________________ 1969 C20 LWB Camper Special - The Beater.. 1998 Cheyenne V6 - 4/6 Drop - For The Son

11-27-2007, 05:51 AM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Column Auto Shift Handle Problem It sounds like the shift tube is sticky so I would suggest lubing it at the top and bottom. Spray top and bottom areas with a penetrant. On the top it works to spray the penetrant into the shift lever hole as you can usually hit the sliding points. The bottom is more accessible so it is easier to hit the spot that moves up and down. The alternative would be to dissassemble the column and apply a lube on the areas that slide. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

11-27-2007, 09:25 PM	#4
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Column Auto Shift Handle Problem Mine was so stiff when it was cold that I had to use two hands to get it into and out of park. I sprayed WD-40 down the hole where the shifter is until it ran out of the end of the column. It's worked beautifully ever since. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

11-28-2007, 01:15 AM	#6
rn2fine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 157	Re: Column Auto Shift Handle Problem Thanks everyone. I am going to try the WD40 trick tomorrow. Thanks again. __________________ 72 C10 Burb 350 700R4 70 C20 LWB 350 Crate TH400 68 Chevelle

11-28-2007, 07:38 PM	#7
71tahoe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 916	Re: Column Auto Shift Handle Problem Lucky you it never gets cold in your part of the country. At about 40 degrees that gummed up lever can break the tip off inside the column. (Hope you're still parked in your driveway when it happens.) Give it an extra squirt for me

11-28-2007, 08:40 PM	#8
69C10@16 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Greenfield, MO Posts: 215	Re: Column Auto Shift Handle Problem Wait a tick....I have a 69 wit a th350....r u supposed to have to pull back on the shifter handle to git it out a park?????? b/c if so....mine just drops...push ever so slightly on the top and its in drive....it wont go all the way down into 1st either....but i thot that was just loose linkage and the shifter hit the stopper on the column b4 it got there....now im beginning to wonder.....any suggestions or idears?????? Dang it now im all worried....GRRRRRRRRR.

11-30-2007, 01:36 AM	#9
rn2fine Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 157	Re: Column Auto Shift Handle Problem 69c10@16, yep, you should have to pull on it before going from park to R. Its a safety feature and if yours is moving too freely I would talk with others around here to find out a fix. I am pleased to report that a few squirts of WD40 did the trick. Works great now. Thanks again for the great advice everyone. __________________ 72 C10 Burb 350 700R4 70 C20 LWB 350 Crate TH400 68 Chevelle

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