Hard to shift when cold - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Zonaman · 04-07-2006, 12:28 PM

The column shift handle is really hard to pull toward you when the mornings are chilly. Seems to "soften up" after driven for a while or the weather is warm. What's doing this? How can I remedy that?

Thank you!

sneakysnake · 04-07-2006, 02:15 PM

Wd-40 everything that moves.LOL The shift rod rotates as well as slides up and down,and the linkage at the bottom of the column gets dry and gummy causing it to drag and become stiff.

Lemield · 04-07-2006, 03:49 PM

Zonaman,

I had a very similar problem on my C20. Mine was really hard to pull back and move into gear...much easier when it was warm outside. I recently replaced the original steering wheel and noticed that the plastic on the back of the hub was coming loose. Replaced wheel with a newer one and no more hard to move lever. Coincidence?

Just my 2cents worth.

67chevemall · 04-07-2006, 03:51 PM

yep a whole can of Wd40 will clean it and make move better....

cdowns · 04-07-2006, 04:26 PM

it doesn't hurt for every million miles or 35years to flush and change the tranny grease

**jamie72** · 04-07-2006, 05:48 PM

had one do this i broke the end of the shifter off, so be careful, it in the coulm it gets dry and dirty, i would just take the shifter out and spray wd40 in the shifter hole and work it in a little, good luck
jamie

atcavage · 04-07-2006, 11:43 PM

I have the same problem, but only when the weather is hot. Which is why I don't like running errands in my truck because once it heats up, things start sticking. I'm almost ready to convert to an automatic because as much as I love my truck, I hate fighting the shifter.

kiriuskris · 04-08-2006, 01:01 AM

I had the same problem with my 67. It would just lock in a gear and would not move unless you pulled on the shifter real hard. I think someone tried that when they drove it and ended up breaking the lever on the transmission for 1/R. I would get around it with just going under the hood and jiggling the linkage on the column. Once I get the replacement lever I am going to soak it with WD-40 and spray some chain lube in there.

Lemield · 04-08-2006, 08:47 AM

OK...I guess I am the only dummy here who thought he was asking about an automatic....

Boy an I dummmmm.

**Stocker** · 04-08-2006, 10:51 AM

No, you're not the only one -- I got halfway through before it occurred to me it might be a stick... My auto does the same thing in cold weather when it needs a shot of WD-40. In fact, check his siggy... he has a 700r4!

**53burb** · 04-12-2006, 02:28 PM

On the manual trannys that I have had in the past, they are hard to shift in the morning, even in Phoenix it gets cold (to me anyways). As the vehicle and tranny oil warmed up, it moved easier. I believed it was caused by the tranny oil being cold and thick, as it warmed up, it became thinner.

Zonaman · 04-13-2006, 08:37 PM

The WD-40 trick worked. Was chilly this morning and (my automatic) shifted fine. Thanks! Hope things work out for all you manual tranny guys!

Lemield · 04-14-2006, 10:49 AM

Guess I'm not so dummmmmm after all.

04-07-2006, 12:28 PM	#1
Zonaman Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 519	Hard to shift when cold The column shift handle is really hard to pull toward you when the mornings are chilly. Seems to "soften up" after driven for a while or the weather is warm. What's doing this? How can I remedy that? Thank you! __________________ 69 C-10 LWB, 350, 700r4, 3.73 posi-traction, front disc brakes. Built for the desert- She can take the heat! Vivat Rex Chevus! Last edited by Zonaman; 04-07-2006 at 12:28 PM.

04-07-2006, 02:15 PM	#2
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Hard to shift when cold Wd-40 everything that moves.LOL The shift rod rotates as well as slides up and down,and the linkage at the bottom of the column gets dry and gummy causing it to drag and become stiff.

04-07-2006, 03:49 PM	#3
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: Hard to shift when cold Zonaman, I had a very similar problem on my C20. Mine was really hard to pull back and move into gear...much easier when it was warm outside. I recently replaced the original steering wheel and noticed that the plastic on the back of the hub was coming loose. Replaced wheel with a newer one and no more hard to move lever. Coincidence? Just my 2cents worth. __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

04-07-2006, 03:51 PM	#4
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	Re: Hard to shift when cold yep a whole can of Wd40 will clean it and make move better....

04-07-2006, 04:26 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Hard to shift when cold it doesn't hurt for every million miles or 35years to flush and change the tranny grease __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-07-2006, 05:48 PM	#6
jamie72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: madison indiana Posts: 3,839	Re: Hard to shift when cold had one do this i broke the end of the shifter off, so be careful, it in the coulm it gets dry and dirty, i would just take the shifter out and spray wd40 in the shifter hole and work it in a little, good luck jamie __________________ jamie72 72 BB cheyenne -- Restoration getting started.. member #807 http://www.myspace.com/whitetailobsession www.antlertalk.com Last edited by jamie72; 04-07-2006 at 05:49 PM.

04-07-2006, 11:43 PM	#7
atcavage Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Camarillo, Ca Posts: 79	Re: Hard to shift when cold I have the same problem, but only when the weather is hot. Which is why I don't like running errands in my truck because once it heats up, things start sticking. I'm almost ready to convert to an automatic because as much as I love my truck, I hate fighting the shifter. __________________ 1972 1/2 ton Chevy C10 V-8 350, crate engine, with Flomaster dual exhaust. She's Old Blue the Truckinator (no relation to Arnold )

04-08-2006, 01:01 AM	#8
kiriuskris New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Henry, IL Posts: 14	Re: Hard to shift when cold I had the same problem with my 67. It would just lock in a gear and would not move unless you pulled on the shifter real hard. I think someone tried that when they drove it and ended up breaking the lever on the transmission for 1/R. I would get around it with just going under the hood and jiggling the linkage on the column. Once I get the replacement lever I am going to soak it with WD-40 and spray some chain lube in there. __________________ Kris I'm about hot cars and fast women. Or was it hot women and fast cars?

04-08-2006, 08:47 AM	#9
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: Hard to shift when cold OK...I guess I am the only dummy here who thought he was asking about an automatic.... Boy an I dummmmm. __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

04-08-2006, 10:51 AM	#10
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,593	Re: Hard to shift when cold No, you're not the only one -- I got halfway through before it occurred to me it might be a stick... My auto does the same thing in cold weather when it needs a shot of WD-40. In fact, check his siggy... he has a 700r4! __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay Last edited by Stocker; 04-08-2006 at 10:52 AM.

04-12-2006, 02:28 PM	#11
53burb Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,004	Re: Hard to shift when cold On the manual trannys that I have had in the past, they are hard to shift in the morning, even in Phoenix it gets cold (to me anyways). As the vehicle and tranny oil warmed up, it moved easier. I believed it was caused by the tranny oil being cold and thick, as it warmed up, it became thinner.

04-13-2006, 08:37 PM	#12
Zonaman Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 519	Re: Hard to shift when cold The WD-40 trick worked. Was chilly this morning and (my automatic) shifted fine. Thanks! Hope things work out for all you manual tranny guys! __________________ 69 C-10 LWB, 350, 700r4, 3.73 posi-traction, front disc brakes. Built for the desert- She can take the heat! Vivat Rex Chevus!

04-14-2006, 10:49 AM	#13
Lemield Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arvada Colorado Posts: 1,321	Re: Hard to shift when cold Guess I'm not so dummmmmm after all. __________________ Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet"

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