Shift Indicator adjustment

[mking]

Hello Everyone. I'm new to the site. I've learned a lot about my truck by just reading other questions and answers. you guys are a wealth of knowledge.
I have a question. I've seached the board and looked at the other threads about the shift indicator. I've seen other pictures that look similar to mine. They all say to adjust the linkage. I've tried that. No matter how long or short I make the linkage, it doesn't change the pointer on the column.
I've even disconnected the linkage and it is still off to the left.
Is there an adjustment in the column?


I don't thinbk this is the original column. Could that have anything to do with it?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

[LockDoc]

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Where is the pointer when the trans is in neutral?

LockDoc

[jondancer]

I also have this problem
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[TBONE1964]

What year truck and what transmission does it have. It looks like the indicator may not be a match for the pointer. If you have a 350 or 400 turbo trans, then I think you should have a L1 position on the indicator as well as a L2. When I have a chance, I will look at mine. I have a 72 with a 350 trans and I think it has a L2 qnd a L1.

[leddzepp]

There is an L1 on his indicator.
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[mking]

It's a 70 C-10 with a 350 engine and t350 transmission.
When the transmission is in neutral, pointer is on the R.
In the process of trying to figure out what to do, I disconnected the rod to the transmission at the column. The pointer would just past the D.
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[TBONE1964]

The L1 is hard to see in the photo. Anyway my point is that the indicator may not match the pointer even if they both have the L1. I am fairly certain that my 72 has a different style indicator.

Even with the linkage disconnected, the pointer should point to park when the shift arm is pushed up as far as it will go (to the park position). Does this make since? It sounds like know matter how you adjust it, it does not line up in park? I don't believe there is any adjustment in the column but I may be wrong.

[leddzepp]

Here is how to adjust. Put it in park. Loosen the linkage retainer. Move the gear shift lever down to the center of Park. Re tighten linkage retainer (this is easier with 2 people) This is the only way I know how to adjust it. Maybe someone else has a suggestion as to what the problem might be?
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[mking]

It could be something wrong with the pointer. I've thought about taking the screw out and moving it over to where it lines up.
I think it may not be the original column. The paint is not the same as the dash. It's close but not the same.
There is another issue with the shifter also. It is VERY HARD to pull the shifter up to get it in and out of Park. Seems like there is heavy grease in the column.
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[Katrina/10]

Mines the same, with trans in park the indicator is way off to the left. I don't think adjusting the linkage would do any good, there are detents at the bottom of the column that limit the movement in park.

[RexDodge]

I had a similar problem. Mine would not line up, not pull up (toward steering wheel), seemed gummed up and slid from park to L1 with no safety stops. I found that the bump on the detent had worn off. I ran a bead ((welded) to rebuild the bump, pulled the steering wheel, sprayed (lots) of penetrating oil down the column, sprayed penetrating oil at the lower column (under the hood), worked the shaft back and forth. The column loosened up after that. The safety stops also now work like new. I was also able to adjust the pointer to read accurately. I can post a pic later (when I get to my laptop) of the detent repair. I it's called something other than detent...sorry.
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[TBONE1964]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...462072&page=11

No my truck but mine has the same indicator.

Look at the shift indicator on this post. it is different than yours and may be the reason why nothing lines up. Not sure if that is your problem but thought I would try and help.

Good Luck

[dmw319]

BUMP i have this same issue. ever get it figured out?

[buckskins4ever]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Here is how to adjust. Put it in park. Loosen the linkage retainer. Move the gear shift lever down to the center of Park. Re tighten linkage retainer (this is easier with 2 people) This is the only way I know how to adjust it. Maybe someone else has a suggestion as to what the problem might be?
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this is good advice. You really do need two to hold the column in place while tightening. Your shift indicator is correct.
I had the same setup in my 72 until switching transmissions.

[LockDoc]

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Before you try the following there are two things you need to do. One is to check the shifter pointer and make sure it is in the correct position. There is a screw in the back and two little plastic hooks/locators/tabs in the front. Make sure that the hooks/locators/tabs are not broken off, or maybe they are not down in the slot which would allow the front of the pointer to move back and forth. The second thing is to spray some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, or something similar (not WD-40) into the steering column, where the shift lever goes in. Don't be afraid to give it a good dousing. After you spray it pull the shift lever up toward you and push it back down toward the dash. It should move up and down a couple of inches. Do this 4 or 5 times. This will help free up any sticking in the shift lever tube. The reason the shift lever moves up and down is because it should be pulled back towards you to shift it into and out of the park position.

After you have done that open the hood and loosen the adjustment bolt at the top of the rod that connects the transmission and the shifter arm on the steering column, crawl under the truck and manually shift the transmission into Park. Hold it in Park while someone puts the shift lever in the park position up above, then tighten the adjuster bolt back up. This should correct your problem.

Be sure and block your wheels before you start this.

LockDoc

[dmw319]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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After you have done that open the hood and loosen the adjustment bolt at the top of the rod that connects the transmission and the shifter arm on the steering column, crawl under the truck and manually shift the transmission into Park. Hold it in Park while someone puts the shift lever in the park position up above, then tighten the adjuster bolt back up. This should correct your problem.
LockDoc

Do you have a picture from under the hood showing the position of the lever on the column when it is in park? I have my shift rod completely discconected from the column and when I have the pointer on "Park" it seems to be in the second tab over from the right (reverse) and not the farthest to the right over the hump (park) when I look from under the hood.

?

[dmw319]

This answered my question about the pic:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...gear+indicator

Seems like I just have it too far over! Thanks.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by dmw319

Do you have a picture from under the hood showing the position of the lever on the column when it is in park? I have my shift rod completely discconected from the column and when I have the pointer on "Park" it seems to be in the second tab over from the right (reverse) and not the farthest to the right over the hump (park) when I look from under the hood.

?

The procedure in the first part of my post should take care of that problem. Usually the reason it won't go over the hump is because the shift lever won't move up and down.

LockDoc

[tcoop68]

Lockdoc answer is the best way , as for the stiffness in your lever take the time to tear down the column and clean and relube that will fix it . It is probley worse when it's cold that's because the grease is thicker.
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[mking]

I think we have decided the column is not original and might be a standard column that has been modified
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[dmw319]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

The procedure in the first part of my post should take care of that problem. Usually the reason it won't go over the hump is because the shift lever won't move up and down.

LockDoc

Thanks, got it now!
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[1966]

have this exact same issue, bookmarking for rainy day project

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 1966

have this exact same issue, bookmarking for rainy day project

OK, let us know if it works for you, or if you have any additional questions.

Thanks,
LockDoc

[1966]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

OK, let us know if it works for you, or if you have any additional questions.

Thanks,
LockDoc

Thanks LockDoc. Why would one not want to use wd40? still learning here...

[1966]

Here's some photos of my shift indicator in its various positions; I do have to pull the shift handle FORWARD and RIGHT to engage so I know at least that part is working.






confused about "loosen the adjustment bolt at the top of the rod that connects the transmission and the shifter arm on the steering column"; is it this thing:




thanks for any help, sorry for dumb questions still getting to know this beast