Binding 3 on the Tree Linkage? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68 Suburban · 01-17-2003, 03:09 PM

What are the causes and the cures? Thanks

Dutch · 01-17-2003, 03:24 PM

....when I was a kid my Dad had a rusty ol 69 with a 250 and 3 on the tree. He always had me ride with him to jump out and jiggle the linkage free when it stuck so he wouldn't have to......

68 Suburban · 01-17-2003, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dutch
....when I was a kid my Dad had a rusty ol 69 with a 250 and 3 on the tree. He always had me ride with him to jump out and jiggle the linkage free when it stuck so he wouldn't have to......

That seems to be the problem with the vehicle I am talking about. Anyone know what the cure would be, besides putting a floor shifter? I would like to keep the colum shift.

*Shane* · 01-17-2003, 03:31 PM

Replace the plastic bushings in the "ears" that are mounted on the column. These are the pieces that the linkage actually runs thru. Lat time I checked, these items were still available from the local GM dealership/parts suppliers.

Hope this helps ...

skillet · 01-18-2003, 01:03 AM

My '67 had the same problem. Ever so often I would replace a couple of bushings where the linkages joined to the transmission. They were rubber covered brass pieces, sorta of a bushing/washer piece. I would also spray the gear assembly where it passed thru. the firewall with
wd-40 and then follow that up with a lubricant. Spraying silicon onto the shifter also seemed to help, not sure if your're supposed to spray into the column, but it seemed to help. I didn't know about the plastic things in the steering column, that would have been more of a long term fix, like the brass bushings.

magoo72 · 01-18-2003, 03:08 AM

man i feel for ya! i can remember when i was a teenager takin a young lady on a date in my fine 68' tryin to impress all dressed up,when i get to a redlite and the old linkage lock up reared its ugly head! had to jump out at a red lite,traffick backed up,middle of the summer and get out ,pop the hood and jiggle the linkage till it came unstckted! get back in all hot and sweaty ,grease all over my hands! how embarresed was i? SHAMED! but she had a good sense of humer about it. and wound up being my wife,for a few years.
i never did solve the problem ,i just learned how to move the three on the tree to avoid it.
good luck to you,just be sure and carry plenty rags with ya if your goin out on a date! mr magoo

01-17-2003, 03:09 PM	#1
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Binding 3 on the Tree Linkage? What are the causes and the cures? Thanks

01-17-2003, 03:24 PM	#2
Dutch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Leipsic, OH Posts: 81	I can tell you how my Dad fixed it... ....when I was a kid my Dad had a rusty ol 69 with a 250 and 3 on the tree. He always had me ride with him to jump out and jiggle the linkage free when it stuck so he wouldn't have to...... __________________ Dutch 1972 Super Cheyenne K20 1976 MGB 1950 Harley FL 1997 Arctic Cat ZR580 "Maybe if I had a couple less hobbies, I'd have time to enjoy one!"

01-18-2003, 01:03 AM	#5
skillet Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: denton, tx, usa Posts: 176	My '67 had the same problem. Ever so often I would replace a couple of bushings where the linkages joined to the transmission. They were rubber covered brass pieces, sorta of a bushing/washer piece. I would also spray the gear assembly where it passed thru. the firewall with wd-40 and then follow that up with a lubricant. Spraying silicon onto the shifter also seemed to help, not sure if your're supposed to spray into the column, but it seemed to help. I didn't know about the plastic things in the steering column, that would have been more of a long term fix, like the brass bushings. __________________ 69 SB GMC LWB Fleetside 350, 09 Pontiac Vibe 2.4 liter

01-17-2003, 03:31 PM	#4
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Replace the plastic bushings in the "ears" that are mounted on the column. These are the pieces that the linkage actually runs thru. Lat time I checked, these items were still available from the local GM dealership/parts suppliers. Hope this helps ...

01-18-2003, 03:08 AM	#6
magoo72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: minden la Posts: 114	man i feel for ya! i can remember when i was a teenager takin a young lady on a date in my fine 68' tryin to impress all dressed up,when i get to a redlite and the old linkage lock up reared its ugly head! had to jump out at a red lite,traffick backed up,middle of the summer and get out ,pop the hood and jiggle the linkage till it came unstckted! get back in all hot and sweaty ,grease all over my hands! how embarresed was i? SHAMED! but she had a good sense of humer about it. and wound up being my wife,for a few years. i never did solve the problem ,i just learned how to move the three on the tree to avoid it. good luck to you,just be sure and carry plenty rags with ya if your goin out on a date! mr magoo



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