Stubborn column shift - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Silvius · 04-07-2008, 10:53 PM

The Cheyenne is rather uncooperative when it comes to shifting it in and out of gear, even if it isn't parked on a grade. You have to muscle it in and out of gear (3 speed auto column shift).

What does it take to fix? Are there some bearings to replace? Is it an all-day affair?

I searched the board but I guess I didn't put in the right phrasing because this must come up quite a bit.

Alex Hayley · 04-07-2008, 11:11 PM

Having just taken a column apart, I have an idea of the moving parts(very few) in the column. Can you determine if the friction is in the column or the shift linkage between the column and the transmission?

Silvius · 04-07-2008, 11:13 PM

Seems to be in the column.

Wrenchbender Ret · 04-07-2008, 11:49 PM

Remove the pin holding the gearshift lever & pull out the lever. Spray some lube like WD-40 inside the hole up around the upper part. Put the lever back in & try it. If that doesn,t get it spray some in the opening at the bottom of the column where the lever comes out that goes to the trans. There are 3 small bolts above that area. You can take the center one out & spray in there.

**LockDoc** · 04-08-2008, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

Remove the pin holding the gearshift lever & pull out the lever. Spray some lube like WD-40 inside the hole up around the upper part. Put the lever back in & try it. If that doesn,t get it spray some in the opening at the bottom of the column where the lever comes out that goes to the trans. There are 3 small bolts above that area. You can take the center one out & spray in there.

Good advice.

This is what I did to mine when it wasn't shifting right and it loosened it right up... Works great now.

LockDoc

cdowns · 04-08-2008, 02:58 AM

and while you have the spray lubrucant in your hand you might search for other moving parts that havent been lubricated in 40years

corn · 04-08-2008, 04:42 AM

Are the old GM trucks at all like the old fords with cab supports? I know a friend of mine had an old ford that wouldnt shift & his front cab supports were rusty & puting pressure on the column. Did you disconnect the linkage to make sure the bind is in the column?

**Joesjunk** · 04-09-2008, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

Remove the pin holding the gearshift lever & pull out the lever. Spray some lube like WD-40 inside the hole up around the upper part. Put the lever back in & try it. If that doesn,t get it spray some in the opening at the bottom of the column where the lever comes out that goes to the trans. There are 3 small bolts above that area. You can take the center one out & spray in there.

I have seen this problem several times, and the above advice will work, you might not even have to remove the shifter if you want to just try to use the spray nozzle to get next to the shift arm. Good luck!!!

Silvius · 04-11-2008, 02:27 AM

Good stuff guys thanks

Silvius · 05-08-2008, 02:28 AM

I finally got a chance to have this done. It works great now. Thanks Wrenchbender and everyone else who posted.

04-07-2008, 10:53 PM	#1
Silvius Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 99	Stubborn column shift The Cheyenne is rather uncooperative when it comes to shifting it in and out of gear, even if it isn't parked on a grade. You have to muscle it in and out of gear (3 speed auto column shift). What does it take to fix? Are there some bearings to replace? Is it an all-day affair? I searched the board but I guess I didn't put in the right phrasing because this must come up quite a bit. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super

04-07-2008, 11:11 PM	#2
Alex Hayley Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: NC Posts: 987	Re: Stubborn column shift Having just taken a column apart, I have an idea of the moving parts(very few) in the column. Can you determine if the friction is in the column or the shift linkage between the column and the transmission? Last edited by Alex Hayley; 04-07-2008 at 11:12 PM.

04-07-2008, 11:13 PM	#3
Silvius Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 99	Re: Stubborn column shift Seems to be in the column. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super

04-07-2008, 11:49 PM	#4
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,211	Re: Stubborn column shift Remove the pin holding the gearshift lever & pull out the lever. Spray some lube like WD-40 inside the hole up around the upper part. Put the lever back in & try it. If that doesn,t get it spray some in the opening at the bottom of the column where the lever comes out that goes to the trans. There are 3 small bolts above that area. You can take the center one out & spray in there.

04-08-2008, 02:58 AM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Stubborn column shift and while you have the spray lubrucant in your hand you might search for other moving parts that havent been lubricated in 40years __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-08-2008, 04:42 AM	#7
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Stubborn column shift Are the old GM trucks at all like the old fords with cab supports? I know a friend of mine had an old ford that wouldnt shift & his front cab supports were rusty & puting pressure on the column. Did you disconnect the linkage to make sure the bind is in the column?

04-11-2008, 02:27 AM	#9
Silvius Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 99	Re: Stubborn column shift Good stuff guys thanks __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super

05-08-2008, 02:28 AM	#10
Silvius Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 99	Re: Stubborn column shift I finally got a chance to have this done. It works great now. Thanks Wrenchbender and everyone else who posted. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super



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