difficult to get into park - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72kat · 12-03-2021, 09:03 PM

Greetings,
I have a 72 c10 with turbo 350. The problem I am having is that it is tuff to put into park. Fiddle with the selector, pull towards you and it will go into park with significant force.

Before I crawl under it, where should I look for the problem?

thanks.

truckster · 12-03-2021, 09:10 PM

Check the pin in the selector lever. Those tend to slide out and cause problems.

BigBird05 · 12-03-2021, 10:20 PM

Some people have had this problem from old and dryed out grease in the steering column collar. There have been some write ups about how to clean and lube the inside of the steering column.

**LockDoc** · 12-03-2021, 11:11 PM

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Before you spend a lot of time trying to figure it out, try spraying some PB Blaster or other GOOD penetrating oil into the opening around the shift lever, where it goes into the column. Be sure it is in Neutral and the wheels are blocked. Stick the nozzle into the small open areas around the lever and give it good spray. Then pull the lever back toward you and push it down toward the dash, Do this 3 or 4 times and see if it loosens up. The lever should move up and down a couple of inches. Spray the column at the bottom under the hood too. Let us know if that makes any difference.

If you have a nice floor mat or carpet put a piece of plastic or other protection under the work area and under the full length of the interior column.

LockDoc

**HO455** · 12-05-2021, 02:25 PM

If LockDoc's solution helps but doesn’t cure the problem it may be that the lower bearing surface for the shifter (not the column) is rusted as mine was. I had to remove the column and replace the bearing ring the shifter mechanism rides inside of.

**davischevy** · 12-05-2021, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

-
Before you spend a lot of time trying to figure it out, try spraying some PB Blaster or other GOOD penetrating oil into the opening around the shift lever, where it goes into the column. Be sure it is in Neutral and the wheels are blocked. Stick the nozzle into the small open areas around the lever and give it good spray. Then pull the lever back toward you and push it down toward the dash, Do this 3 or 4 times and see if it loosens up. The lever should move up and down a couple of inches. Spray the column at the bottom under the hood too. Let us know if that makes any difference.

If you have a nice floor mat or carpet put a piece of plastic or other protection under the work area and under the full length of the interior column.

LockDoc

What he said.

72kat · 12-06-2021, 12:34 PM

Thanks. Will try the pb blaster and go from there.
Sorry for the delay, was off buying a seat for my truck.

12-03-2021, 09:03 PM	#1
72kat Registered User Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Osborne Posts: 16	difficult to get into park Greetings, I have a 72 c10 with turbo 350. The problem I am having is that it is tuff to put into park. Fiddle with the selector, pull towards you and it will go into park with significant force. Before I crawl under it, where should I look for the problem? thanks.

12-03-2021, 09:10 PM	#2
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,981	Re: difficult to get into park Check the pin in the selector lever. Those tend to slide out and cause problems. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

12-03-2021, 10:20 PM	#3
BigBird05 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,300	Re: difficult to get into park Some people have had this problem from old and dryed out grease in the steering column collar. There have been some write ups about how to clean and lube the inside of the steering column.

12-03-2021, 11:11 PM	#4
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,818	Re: difficult to get into park - Before you spend a lot of time trying to figure it out, try spraying some PB Blaster or other GOOD penetrating oil into the opening around the shift lever, where it goes into the column. Be sure it is in Neutral and the wheels are blocked. Stick the nozzle into the small open areas around the lever and give it good spray. Then pull the lever back toward you and push it down toward the dash, Do this 3 or 4 times and see if it loosens up. The lever should move up and down a couple of inches. Spray the column at the bottom under the hood too. Let us know if that makes any difference. If you have a nice floor mat or carpet put a piece of plastic or other protection under the work area and under the full length of the interior column. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - Last edited by LockDoc; 12-03-2021 at 11:16 PM.

12-05-2021, 02:25 PM	#5
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,393	Re: difficult to get into park If LockDoc's solution helps but doesn’t cure the problem it may be that the lower bearing surface for the shifter (not the column) is rusted as mine was. I had to remove the column and replace the bearing ring the shifter mechanism rides inside of. __________________ 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

12-06-2021, 12:34 PM	#7
72kat Registered User Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Osborne Posts: 16	Re: difficult to get into park Thanks. Will try the pb blaster and go from there. Sorry for the delay, was off buying a seat for my truck.



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