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loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite)

Posted By: plysat

loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/05/11 11:53 PM

This has bugged me for 20 years and since I'm currently in "fix stuff" mode, maybe I should tackle it... The column shift lever (auto trans) doesn't engage very well. The spring works but, for instance, when it's in reverse it sort of falls down out of position and the backup lights go off. To keep 'em on I have to hold the lever up a bit. Is there some sort of gate, detents or something in there that's worn? Weak spring that should pull it back harder? And, more importantly, is this a can of worms worth opening? I have a service manual, but even that is kind of vague as to what's in there. Any clues for me? Thanks!
Posted By: plysat

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/06/11 06:05 PM

heh... must be more complicated than I thought.
Posted By: CompSyn

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/06/11 06:12 PM

Might be worn plastic bushings in the shift linkage. There used to be some NOS bushings on eBay for sale?
Posted By: plysat

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/06/11 06:26 PM

The bushings on the firewall end of the column seem to be OK, are there bushings or something in the column I should look at?
Posted By: JohnRR

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/06/11 06:29 PM

Quote:

heh... must be more complicated than I thought.



Must be, have you tried readjusting the linkage ? there aren't really any detents in the column , the shift detents are in the trans ...
Posted By: plysat

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/06/11 06:37 PM

Quote:

Quote:

heh... must be more complicated than I thought.



Must be, have you tried readjusting the linkage ? there aren't really any detents in the column , the shift detents are in the trans ...



I'll check it again... It's been sloppy like that since I've owned the car, the trans was just rebuilt and there's no change. I was wondering about the column because it's not slipping out of gear, just the shift lever doesn't stay where it should. The only thing that sucks is in R when the lever slips down towards N and the reverse lights go off. Where's the spring that pulls the shift lever back?
Posted By: JohnRR

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/06/11 06:42 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

heh... must be more complicated than I thought.



Must be, have you tried readjusting the linkage ? there aren't really any detents in the column , the shift detents are in the trans ...



I'll check it again... It's been sloppy like that since I've owned the car, the trans was just rebuilt and there's no change. I was wondering about the column because it's not slipping out of gear, just the shift lever doesn't stay where it should. The only thing that sucks is in R when the lever slips down towards N and the reverse lights go off.



It's a good idea to readjust the linkage when the linkage is pulled off the car , which is would have been when the trans was dropped.

Quote:

Where's the spring that pulls the shift lever back?



Posted By: Lee446

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/06/11 07:30 PM

There is a coil spring in the column that puts tension on the shift lever. That is why you have to pull the lever towards you to go from Park to any gear. It sounds like yours may be weak or missing. You may have other factors that are also contributing to that sloppy feel, like worn linkage bushings, missing washers under the linkage clips, etc. that all combine to contribute to a loose feel. I wish Lokar made a replacement cable that would eliminate all of the pivoting linkage in between the column and the valve body like they do for GM and Ford !
Posted By: plysat

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/06/11 09:51 PM

Quote:

There is a coil spring in the column that puts tension on the shift lever. That is why you have to pull the lever towards you to go from Park to any gear. It sounds like yours may be weak or missing. You may have other factors that are also contributing to that sloppy feel, like worn linkage bushings, missing washers under the linkage clips, etc. that all combine to contribute to a loose feel. I wish Lokar made a replacement cable that would eliminate all of the pivoting linkage in between the column and the valve body like they do for GM and Ford !



A cable would be nice... The spring is still there, but I think you're right, probably weakened over the years... Guess I need to tear into the column Or, just live with it for another 20 years
Posted By: CompSyn

Re: loose AT column shift lever (68 satellite) - 07/22/11 11:10 AM

Could be these, or if not you could replace them anyway: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-NOS...sQ5fAccessories
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