Auto trans linkage sloppy

[Tx Firefighter]

With it disconnected you should be able to drop it into reverse with your hand easily, but when you say "touch" it, you make it seem like the trans linkage doesn't have positive clicks into each gear.

As you turn the linkage by hand, you should feel a distinct click as it clicks each gear.

Also, on these old trucks, I weld up the holes in the linkage and redrill new ones to remove all slop. Also, the pin that the linkage pivots on usually is worn real bad, so I replace it with a new piece of 1/4" rod welded to the frame bracket. All of these things make the truck shift like new again with zero linkage slop.