Gear Shift Lever loose

[sjessen]

I was driving down the highway when I noticed that my gear shift lever was not staying in near the third gear. In fact, it moves all over the place but the trany stays in third gear. I stopped and was able to move it enough to get first gear, reverse, and third but not second. I got home using first and third.

I haven't had a chance to pull the tower yet but would like to ask if anyone has an idea about what is wrong. ('30 Model A)

[Joe K]

Its sounding like you got your shifter rails misaligned.

As you travel from 1st/2nd side through Neutral to 3rd/reverse side, the two side/shifter rails have to be aligned to allow the shift lever to pass across. If one side gets out of position due to vibration/bad detent/broken spring then you won't be able to make the crossing.

If you pull the top of the tranny, check out the full motion of each side of the shifter rails. Then set each alongside the other about mid-position. This is Neutral. You should be able to insert the tranny top/shift lever straight up and put it together this way - and you'll henceforth have full passage to 1st/2nd and 3rd/Reverse.

As you move the shifter rails forward and back, either by hand and a screwdriver or later with the shift lever/tower in place, you should feel a distinct "click" as the rails move to gear positions. If not it means you have an issue with your shifter rail detent - which is easily accessed by the slotted plug on the side of the shifter tower. It may be loaded with grease/hardened 600W oil or something.

Anyway, hope this helps. Taking the tranny top off is NOT brain surgery. Just be careful not to get dirt inside.

Joe K

[WestCoast]

check for a broken spring for the shifter lever in the tranny top plate, if its broke it will let the shifter move all over the place

[sjessen]

Thanks Joe,

Your comment about vibration could be related - I was driving 60mph (too fast).
Anyway it sounds like this is a job I can tackle

Thanks again,
Steve J.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

check for a broken spring for the shifter lever in the tranny top plate, if its broke it will let the shifter move all over the place

i had one where the retaining clip for the shifter spring blew out. the piece chewed up the gears

[WestCoast]

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man that's a bummer, losing a trans because of a $2 part

[sjessen]

Okay - thanks.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Did it just shear the cross pin, above the shifter ball?
Bill W.

[sjessen]

I'll pull the tower this weekend and see what's going on...

[Tom Wesenberg]

Before you pull the top off carefully shift the H pattern and note how much the shift handle moves for each of the 4 gears. It should move the same amount for R, 1 and 2, but move less for 3. If the least movement is for some other gear, then the two shafts in the tower got switched. Is that even possible? I've never tried, so I don't know if it's possible, but I'm just passing information. You'll notice the 2-3 shaft has the nuetral notch to 3 notch closer than the other notches.

[sjessen]

Hello Guys,

Thanks for the help. It's always nice to have someone out there who knows a thing or two about these old cars.

As it turned out, when I started to disassemble the tower, I found the problem. I removed the chrome half sphere cover from the shift lever and noticed a steel pin about two inches long on the floor. I replaced the pin through the shift lever and the notch on the top of the shift tower. Problem fixed

Steve

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

YEA, Steve, you scored a good one, it was SIMPLE!!
Bill W.