Shifter Arm - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cwilkie · 03-10-2013, 06:53 PM

Question guys. I have an auto non tilt column and the shifter arm has been making it difficult to shift into reverse and park. I have been having to pull it really hard to get it into reverse and park. Anyway, I was trying to shift it into reverse and then snap. The arm stayed on the column but it won't allow it to shift into reverse. Now I have to open the hood to manually shift it. It shifts from park to reverse to drive with no problem. Is it a quick fix or does the column need to be replaced or rebuilt.
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kaycee · 03-10-2013, 07:48 PM

Needs cleaned,just spray some PB blaster or ??? on all the linkages and down the colum where shifter goes into colum.Spray the snot out of it and work it around see if it frees up some.This will more than likely get u by until u can pull it all apart and clean it.

**LockDoc** · 03-10-2013, 11:00 PM

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You may have broken the little ball off of the end of the shift lever. Drive the pin out of the shift lever where it goes into the housing and check the end of it.

Here is what it should look like.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1260737664

LockDoc

cwilkie · 03-10-2013, 11:11 PM

I will do that as soon as I can and update you guys. Thank you for the great advice!
Posted via Mobile Device

**LockDoc** · 03-10-2013, 11:39 PM

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Also, after you check the shift lever out spray some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, or something similar (not WD-40) into the steering column, where the shift lever goes in. Don't be afraid to give it a good dousing. After you spray it pull the shift lever up toward you and push it back down toward the dash. The knob should move up and down a couple of inches. Do this 4 or 5 times. This will help free up any sticking in the shift lever tube. The reason the shift lever moves up and down is because it should be pulled back towards you to shift it into and out of the park position. Usually the reason it won't go over the hump is because the shift lever won't move up and down.

LockDoc

cwilkie · 03-11-2013, 09:50 PM

The end of the shifter level snapped. I think I have one in storage. If not, I will post a WTB on the parts board. Thanks for the liquid wrench tip.

**LockDoc** · 03-11-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwilkie

The end of the shifter level snapped. I think I have one in storage. If not, I will post a WTB on the parts board. Thanks for the liquid wrench tip.

No problem. Let us know how you come out on this.

LockDoc

jorgensensc · 03-12-2013, 02:17 AM

Hey there!
I just had this exact same thing happen on my auto non tilt column. It was getting more and more difficult to pull it in, particularly when it was cold outside. Sure enough I snapped the ball off of the shifter. I took the upper column all part, greased the bearings, cleaned the bejesus of the inside ( weird something sticky and goooy was all inside the column. I think it was the shifter bushing melting after crumbling over time), greased it all up, and put it back together. Still didn't shift hardly at all. I used it as an excuse to get a new tilt column from a board member. Good luck to you, I hope you have better luck than me!
Posted via Mobile Device

03-10-2013, 06:53 PM	#1
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	Shifter Arm Question guys. I have an auto non tilt column and the shifter arm has been making it difficult to shift into reverse and park. I have been having to pull it really hard to get it into reverse and park. Anyway, I was trying to shift it into reverse and then snap. The arm stayed on the column but it won't allow it to shift into reverse. Now I have to open the hood to manually shift it. It shifts from park to reverse to drive with no problem. Is it a quick fix or does the column need to be replaced or rebuilt. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

03-10-2013, 07:48 PM	#2
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,445	Re: Shifter Arm Needs cleaned,just spray some PB blaster or ??? on all the linkages and down the colum where shifter goes into colum.Spray the snot out of it and work it around see if it frees up some.This will more than likely get u by until u can pull it all apart and clean it. __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

03-10-2013, 11:00 PM	#3
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,405	Re: Shifter Arm - You may have broken the little ball off of the end of the shift lever. Drive the pin out of the shift lever where it goes into the housing and check the end of it. Here is what it should look like. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1260737664 LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

03-10-2013, 11:11 PM	#4
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	Re: Shifter Arm I will do that as soon as I can and update you guys. Thank you for the great advice! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

03-10-2013, 11:39 PM	#5
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,405	Re: Shifter Arm - Also, after you check the shift lever out spray some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, or something similar (not WD-40) into the steering column, where the shift lever goes in. Don't be afraid to give it a good dousing. After you spray it pull the shift lever up toward you and push it back down toward the dash. The knob should move up and down a couple of inches. Do this 4 or 5 times. This will help free up any sticking in the shift lever tube. The reason the shift lever moves up and down is because it should be pulled back towards you to shift it into and out of the park position. Usually the reason it won't go over the hump is because the shift lever won't move up and down. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

03-11-2013, 09:50 PM	#6
cwilkie Chance Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Belcourt ,ND, USA Posts: 750	Re: Shifter Arm The end of the shifter level snapped. I think I have one in storage. If not, I will post a WTB on the parts board. Thanks for the liquid wrench tip. __________________ 1968 Chevrolet Stepside BB 396 w/TH400 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton 4x4 BB 496 w/TH400

03-12-2013, 02:17 AM	#8
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Shifter Arm Hey there! I just had this exact same thing happen on my auto non tilt column. It was getting more and more difficult to pull it in, particularly when it was cold outside. Sure enough I snapped the ball off of the shifter. I took the upper column all part, greased the bearings, cleaned the bejesus of the inside ( weird something sticky and goooy was all inside the column. I think it was the shifter bushing melting after crumbling over time), greased it all up, and put it back together. Still didn't shift hardly at all. I used it as an excuse to get a new tilt column from a board member. Good luck to you, I hope you have better luck than me! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE



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