Shift Tube in Steering Column? Help?

[top1percent]

Hello everyone,
I have a question about the shifter in the steering column.

I've got a '68 Chevy C10 with automatic transmission and tilt steering. I just had the transmission rebuilt and when I went to pick it up, they told me that the components in the shift tube in my steering column were very worn. They said they adjusted it as best they could, but it still has trouble going into park.

When I got home, I got it into park, but while I was closing the windows and doors it slipped into reverse which was quite a sight to see me rushing to jump back in and step on the brake.

I ended up putting some bricks behind the tires. I hate to say it, but now I really look "trailer park".

What do I need to fix the problem? Can I get replacement parts, or do I have to find a new steering column.

Thanks for your help,

Brad

[Piston]

was it like that before you took it in?

There is alot of adjustment on these old things when it comes to the shifter and they should have been able to get park working. Even if it was that worn out, you would either have Park and no low gear (L1) or good L1 and No park. Look on the base of your colume and find the shift tube lever, at the end of that lever you'll see the adjusting bolt and rod going down to the transmission.
Loosen the nut and push the rod down about 1/8" or so, then retest.

[top1percent]

No, it wasn't like that before I took it in.

Before it went in, it would go into park fine. However, coming out of park, I would 8 times out of 10 miss Reverse. But, I could always go right back into reverse, so it wasn't really a problem.

When I asked them about it, they just said the parts were too worn to work properly.

I'm off tomorrow so I'll crawl under there and see if I can find the bolt and rod you're talking about and hopefully make the right adjustment.

Thanks,

Brad

[Piston]

points to check (it sounds like there is alot of play):
Column lever where the rod and adjuster bolt to the shift lever. There is a plastic bushing with rubber surrounding it that can fall out.

Where the rod meeds the crossbar, you may need to ream this hole out and install a bushing (brass is easy to come by).

Crossbar to the trans linkage. this area can wear down to almost nothing, a peice of vacuum hose over one leg will keep that from happening again and take up some space while its there. Once you tighten these area's up, it will be like new

Chances are, there is nothing physically wrong with the column.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

In agree with Piston on the slack is probably on the outside of the column but I would pull the shift lever and check the end of the lever where it contacts the detent. They have a tendacy to wear at the end to the point where they will not hold in the detent notch and will "slip out" as you experienced.

The lever will come right out if you pull the little drive pin. Sometimes the shift bezel will wear at this pin, but that will be obvious.

Good luck!

JIm

[top1percent]

I thought I'd give you guys the update. I went out this weekend and adjusted the connecting rod like Piston first mentioned. This worked very well. I can now get her into park without her slipping out. At least, so far she hasn't slipped out. I still put a chalk under the rear tire until I feel more comfortable with her.

Anyway, thanks again for all of your help. I really do appreciate it!

Brad

[ebry710]

This old thread stopped where I am at right now. My new transmission was put in and now I do not have a lock for park. Does anyone have a picture of a new shift lever? of where you can get parts?

[LockDoc]

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Before you try the following spray some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, or something similar (not WD-40) into the steering column, where the shift lever goes in. After you spray it pull the shift lever up toward you and push it back down. 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 the park position. That may be all you have to do to get your park position back. If that doesn't solve the problem go to step 2... below.

After you have done that try loosening the adjustment bolt at the top of the rod that connects the transmission and the shifter arm on the steering column, crawl under the truck and manually shift the transmission into Park. Hold it in Park while someone puts the shift lever in the park position up above, then tighten the adjuster bolt back up. This should correct your problem.

Be sure and block a wheel before you start this.

LockDoc

[ebry710]

Sounds like a good and simple project for Sunday.

[ebry710]

After a week work of downtime, more money then I could afford and the use of two mechanics: two squirts of lubricating spray fixed my steering column problem and therefore fix my problem with slipping out of park.

When I first got my truck I had sprayed WD40 down the column because my steering wheel squeaked when I turned it. I didn't know then the behavior did more then fix the a noise. Unfortunately WD40 doesn't last.

Good call on the spray. It did exactly what you said, thank you.

I must admit the mechanics did rerouted my main starter wire, replaced my neutral safety switch, repaired my rear seals and rebuilt my back brakes. So having mechanics under my truck did have its advantages.

[LockDoc]

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No problem. Glad that fixed it.

LockDoc

[PAWS 72]

I've just started having this problem of my shifter not wanting to pull back far enough to unlatch PARK position.I'm going to try this tomorrow. Thanks Lock Doc

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by PAWS 72

I've just started having this problem of my shifter not wanting to pull back far enough to unlatch PARK position.I'm going to try this tomorrow. Thanks Lock Doc

No problem PAWS. I bet it works.

LockDoc

[72 K20]

I have an issue with an auto column I recently installed in my 72 C20.

The shifter works fine, I have a positive park lock but the shift indicator is about 3/4 of an inch to the left of the indicator. "N" is drive. It seems like the area that holds the turn signal switch is skewed from the shift tube.

Where or how can this be corrected ?

Thanks Guys !!
Tom

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by 72 K20

I have an issue with an auto column I recently installed in my 72 C20.

The shifter works fine, I have a positive park lock but the shift indicator is about 3/4 of an inch to the left of the indicator. "N" is drive. It seems like the area that holds the turn signal switch is skewed from the shift tube.

Where or how can this be corrected ?

Thanks Guys !!
Tom

Mine does the same thing, and I've been told that the park lock is adjustable to get the shift indicator in the right place, but I never found it.