3 Speed Shifter Problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Plumbers GMC · 11-10-2005, 04:06 PM

My 1970 GMC 1500 1/2 Ton pick-up has suddenly developed a major problem with the 3 speed column shifter. The whole cone that supports the shift lever went all afloat at an intersection when I went to shift it into 1st gear . The lever would not make contact with the shift tube that surrounds the steering shaft. I took out the shift lever and found that it was OK and if I leave out the pin that holds the lever to the cone and push the lever in all the way I can still shift the truck.
Does anyone have any advice ? Is there a simple fix ? Mechanics have told me to take the column out and maybe it could be fixed.
Thanks,
Bob Bosworth
Fairhaven, MA.
PS I've had a long history with both GMC and Chevy trucks all of them had 4 speeds. This is the first 3 speed I've ever had.

krue · 11-10-2005, 09:31 PM

It's been a long time since I had a column shift, but does the end of the shift lever look likes it's broken or worn out?

BTW Welcome to the board from South Mississippi.

69TowRig · 11-10-2005, 10:13 PM

It sounds to me like the ball on the end of the shifter inside the column broke off.

If you pulled the shift lever, was there a little ball on the end inside???

**truckdude239** · 11-11-2005, 10:29 AM

i went to advance auto and got an floor shift kit for about 40 buxs i think it was maded by mr gasket. (got to love the small block chevy row lol)

Tx Firefighter · 11-11-2005, 10:59 AM

Bob,

If'n you don't want to modify your truck for a floor shift, you can easily buy a decent used column shifter off of our parts board here. They aren't worth much to most folks. I'm sure you could turn one up pretty easy and cheap.

Plumbers GMC · 11-11-2005, 11:45 AM

Thanks again, but the ball is on the end of the shift lever. The shift collar suddenly came loose and the lever lost contact with the shift tube in the column.
I want to keep this truck as stock as possible. It only has 46,000 miles and has a 250 cid 6. So if anyone knows where I could get a Good steering column reasonably priced I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
Bob

krue · 11-12-2005, 11:34 AM

Check the parts board.

11-10-2005, 04:06 PM	#1
Plumbers GMC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fairhaven, MA. Posts: 4	3 Speed Shifter Problems My 1970 GMC 1500 1/2 Ton pick-up has suddenly developed a major problem with the 3 speed column shifter. The whole cone that supports the shift lever went all afloat at an intersection when I went to shift it into 1st gear . The lever would not make contact with the shift tube that surrounds the steering shaft. I took out the shift lever and found that it was OK and if I leave out the pin that holds the lever to the cone and push the lever in all the way I can still shift the truck. Does anyone have any advice ? Is there a simple fix ? Mechanics have told me to take the column out and maybe it could be fixed. Thanks, Bob Bosworth Fairhaven, MA. PS I've had a long history with both GMC and Chevy trucks all of them had 4 speeds. This is the first 3 speed I've ever had.

11-10-2005, 09:31 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: 3 Speed Shifter Problems It's been a long time since I had a column shift, but does the end of the shift lever look likes it's broken or worn out? BTW Welcome to the board from South Mississippi. __________________ "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"

11-10-2005, 10:13 PM	#3
69TowRig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 894	Re: 3 Speed Shifter Problems It sounds to me like the ball on the end of the shifter inside the column broke off. If you pulled the shift lever, was there a little ball on the end inside??? __________________ -Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals...

11-11-2005, 10:29 AM	#4
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,233	Re: 3 Speed Shifter Problems i went to advance auto and got an floor shift kit for about 40 buxs i think it was maded by mr gasket. (got to love the small block chevy row lol) __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

11-11-2005, 10:59 AM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: 3 Speed Shifter Problems Bob, If'n you don't want to modify your truck for a floor shift, you can easily buy a decent used column shifter off of our parts board here. They aren't worth much to most folks. I'm sure you could turn one up pretty easy and cheap. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-11-2005, 11:45 AM	#6
Plumbers GMC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fairhaven, MA. Posts: 4	Re: 3 Speed Shifter Problems Thanks again, but the ball is on the end of the shift lever. The shift collar suddenly came loose and the lever lost contact with the shift tube in the column. I want to keep this truck as stock as possible. It only has 46,000 miles and has a 250 cid 6. So if anyone knows where I could get a Good steering column reasonably priced I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Bob

11-12-2005, 11:34 AM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: 3 Speed Shifter Problems Check the parts board. __________________ "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"



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