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#1 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Albertville, MN
Posts: 198
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Steering Column/Gear question
Hey everybody,
How's it going? I have a question about my steering column. When I put my 72 C20 in reverse, the shifter drops a tad and doesn't make contact with the backup lights. What might cause this issue? If I hold the shifter in place where the R is on the plastic guide, the backup lights will be on, but if I let go, it drops a little. It's still in reverse and will back up, it's just the slight drop of the shifter I wonder about. Is there something in the column that might be worn making this happen? I've attached a picture of where the indicator sits when I'm not holding up the shift lever. Hopefully, this makes sense? I should mention, when I put the truck in drive, I can lift up on the shifter and it will drop down into the gear per se, not allowing you to bump it out of gear unless you pull back on the lever. Thanks.
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,722
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
I have limited experience, but others will probably chime in and correct me. There is a detent mechanism on the steering column in the engine compartment, if it has sharp edges and doesn't slope off where it exits the reverse position that would help. My steering column rebuilder guy said mine was worn and he did some work on that section so it's in better condition. I don't have a before picture of it that I can find but here's a current picture.
. I understand there is also a detent mechanism in the transmission to make the different positions of the lever on the transmission click into place. These things need to be adjusted to work in harmony. You can turn off the engine, chock your wheels, set brakes, temporally disconnect your linkage and click the transmission lever through the gears and see if it seems to still have some gusto in the detents. Last edited by dmjlambert; 07-25-2024 at 08:01 PM. Reason: clarity |
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#3 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,156
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
To amplify what dmjlambert said. I've pointed to wear areas on the detent. The red arrows point to the contact areas that the selector (Yellow arrow) rubs on. On high mileage, low maintenance vehicles the selector may have worn the high areas off the detents. A bit of grease from time to time will cut down on this wear.
There are two adjustments associated with your problem. First is to do as dmjlambert posted and verify the transmission detents are working. Then reconnect the linkage and check to see if the shift indicator points correctly. If the pointer is too far one way or the other you can adjust it at the linkage where it connects to the column. In the second photo the green arrow points to the lock nut on the linkage adjuster. Once loose you can slide the linkage up and down as shown by the red arrow. The idea being you loosen the nut and place the shift indicator where you want it and retightened the nut. The second adjustment has to do with the neutral safety switch on the top of the steering column. (Photo #3 green arrow) There is are 2 hex headed screws that hold the switch on the column. The screws go through slotted holes that allow the switch to be adjusted (Red arrow)so the starter will only operate if the truck is in park or neutral. In addition the reverse light switch in in the same block. Occasionally the tab on the switch is so worn or damaged that the switch won't operate correctly. For example the reverse lights may only work when coming from park but not from drive. I hope this helps if not just ask and we will figure it out.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#4 |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,513
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
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Another thing I would do is to spray some PB Blaster into the opening where the shift lever goes into the column, in the cab. Be sure and hold a rag under it if you have nice carpet. Spray above and below the lever then pull it up towards you, then push it back down towards the dash a few times.. I have found that the shift lever hangs up in that area and a good shot of penetrating oil/lube helps a lot. The lever has to move up and down to shift through the gears and make it lock into the detents. LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Edgerton OH USA
Posts: 631
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
I had a 77 once with that problem. My problem was gravity. The floor and cab mounts were rusting badly and the weaker they got, the lower the cab sat. Every so often it wouldn't align and even fail to stay in reverse so I would have to adjust the shift rod shorter to center the pointer in neutral again. Then it would be fine until gravity wanted to be a ***** again.
Tom
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'69 swb stepside in progress. '59 Corvette lifetime project |
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#6 | |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Albertville, MN
Posts: 198
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
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#7 | |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Albertville, MN
Posts: 198
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
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#8 | |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Albertville, MN
Posts: 198
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
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#9 | |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Albertville, MN
Posts: 198
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
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That sounds like a lot of work. The cab and floor pans are pretty solid, but I'll crawl under there and do some checking to see what I find.
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Edgerton OH USA
Posts: 631
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Re: Steering Column/Gear question
Probably not the problem then.
Tom
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'69 swb stepside in progress. '59 Corvette lifetime project |
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