How to tighten up Auto shift column? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chucks70 · 09-17-2005, 09:52 PM

My '72 Blazer shifter kind of flops around on the column. It will stay in the gear selected but when in park the pointer can be anywhere from left of the indicator to the R. Similar with the other shift markers PRN321. Can this be tightened up somehow?

krue · 09-17-2005, 09:55 PM

Mine was tightened up by tying a length of hay binder twine around it.

But I don't recommend it. I fixed it by replacing my cab with a cab with a tilt column.

Sorry, I know that's not much help. I have heard of using brash bushings to take the slop out of the linkage on the tranny.

4tiresngas · 09-17-2005, 10:50 PM

Is your linkage in good shape. I did not have factory linkage. I just bought linkage from a salvage yard, cleaned it up and installed it. Mines pretty tight now.

4tiresngas · 09-17-2005, 10:57 PM

The other thing to look at is how tight the overall steering column (housing and shift tube) are. You might want to inspect the upper and lower bearings.

da-burb · 09-18-2005, 11:31 AM

Check where your column connects to the intermediate shaft just under the hood. You should have a large thick washer and a spring between the column end and the coupler. If it is missing it will allow the column to move in and out. This is what tensions the column shifter detents which would help with your embarrasing floppy shifter.

If it is still not parking in the right spot you can adjust the down-rod. The adjuster is right at the column under the hood. Another thing to check is the pivot point at the frame. After 35 years of shifting the hole can become oblong which will change your shift. I have welded a washer to the side of it to bring it back to a good snug fit.

chucks70 · 09-19-2005, 09:14 PM

Thanks, will check out everything that I can my next day off.

09-17-2005, 09:52 PM	#1
chucks70 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cadiz, OH Posts: 628	How to tighten up Auto shift column? My '72 Blazer shifter kind of flops around on the column. It will stay in the gear selected but when in park the pointer can be anywhere from left of the indicator to the R. Similar with the other shift markers PRN321. Can this be tightened up somehow? __________________ 68 1 ton dually 292, 2001 Sebring, 2004 Trailblazer, 11 Camaro Convertible.

09-17-2005, 09:55 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Mine was tightened up by tying a length of hay binder twine around it. But I don't recommend it. I fixed it by replacing my cab with a cab with a tilt column. Sorry, I know that's not much help. I have heard of using brash bushings to take the slop out of the linkage on the tranny. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

09-17-2005, 10:50 PM	#3
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Is your linkage in good shape. I did not have factory linkage. I just bought linkage from a salvage yard, cleaned it up and installed it. Mines pretty tight now. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

09-17-2005, 10:57 PM	#4
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	The other thing to look at is how tight the overall steering column (housing and shift tube) are. You might want to inspect the upper and lower bearings. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

09-18-2005, 11:31 AM	#5
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Check where your column connects to the intermediate shaft just under the hood. You should have a large thick washer and a spring between the column end and the coupler. If it is missing it will allow the column to move in and out. This is what tensions the column shifter detents which would help with your embarrasing floppy shifter. If it is still not parking in the right spot you can adjust the down-rod. The adjuster is right at the column under the hood. Another thing to check is the pivot point at the frame. After 35 years of shifting the hole can become oblong which will change your shift. I have welded a washer to the side of it to bring it back to a good snug fit. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

09-19-2005, 09:14 PM	#6
chucks70 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cadiz, OH Posts: 628	Thanks, will check out everything that I can my next day off. __________________ 68 1 ton dually 292, 2001 Sebring, 2004 Trailblazer, 11 Camaro Convertible.



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