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'63 Rambler Classic column shifter stuck |
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gidaeon
AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/01/2008 Location: MI Status: Offline Points: 45 |
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Posted: May/07/2015 at 7:12pm |
I have a '63 Rambler Classic 196ohv with engine redone and modern disc brakes and three-on-tree.
the column shifter for the 3spd. got "stuck" in gear and can't move lever anymore. Nothing is wrong with clutch or transmission though. To get car parked I had to manually move linkages to trans under the hood. I do have a TSM for this car but find the directions on troubleshooting what I assume is a shifting linkage problem, lacking I am thinking an adjustable rod or bushing inside the steering column could be a problem but have never removed a steering wheel before or torn into a column. Is this a common thing or is there a place to start troubleshooting? Any ideas? |
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pacerman
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9057 |
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There are adequate instructions in the TSM for adjusting the shifter (at least in my opinion). You need a drill bit (3/8-in diameter I think) Place the shift linkage in neutral. Check the transmission to make sure both shift levers are firmly in neutral. Place that pin (drill bit) through the alignment holes betwee the arms on the shifter. At that point you want to adjust the trunnions on the shifter rods (on the column under the hood) so that the ends of the shift rods pass through the holes in the shifter arm bushings without any resistance. That is your adjusted neutral position. If the column shifter is healthy, you should get clean shifts. However, there is a spacer between the shifter arms on the column that can wear, the the "pin" on the upper (I think) shifter arm can wear, making it more difficult to get clean shifts at least when you rush the shift. Also, there is a bushing at the bottom of the column that you can rotate to take the slack out of the column and perhaps get cleaner shifts. Worn or missing bushings on the shift arms (on the column) of the shift levers (on the transmission) can cause a lot of grief too.
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Happiness is making something out of nothing.
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gidaeon
AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/01/2008 Location: MI Status: Offline Points: 45 |
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Thanks for reply. I will review TSM again (I'm no mechanic but try) maybe I'm missing a page as it didn't even talk about pulling steering wheel or how.
I can't manually get the shifter in neutral though its truly stuck in reverse position. I could move the linkages to trans to put in neutral is all. |
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pacerman
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9057 |
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Disconnect the shift rods from the transmision shift levers at the transmission. You will need to get under the car to do this so make sure the car is safely supported on jack stands and the rear wheels are chocked. The bare shift levers can then be moved to the central (neutral) position. The transmission will be in nuetral. You should the have little difficulty in moving the column shifter to neutral. Joe
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Happiness is making something out of nothing.
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farna
Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19676 |
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I've never had a T-96 (the manual trans you have) jam in reverse, only in a forward gear. As others have said, pull the shift rods off the trans then put the levers in neutral. It's usually the shifter itself that jams, not the trans. If it's in reverse now (the rear lever is first and reverse, front second and third -- IIRC) then the other lever has to be in the neutral position. Reverse should have the lever forward of neutral, first is to the rear. So push the lever to the rear once you have the rod off.
The shifter gets loose in the column, not just out of alignment. I don't think the TSM says anything about tightening the shifter. Lock the levers in neutral with the drill bit. If you look at the lower end of the column tube you will find either two or three small screws holding the end to the tube. The screws are in angled slotted holes. Feel around it and find all the screws, then loosen them. The end piece will twist in the slots. You want to move it toward the firewall to tighten the shifter action. Sometimes it won't tighten enough on a 50+ year old car. The piece the screws go into is plastic, and gets brittle. That piece also holds a bearing for the steering shaft. If the slots won't tighten it enough (a distinct possibility!) you can remove the screws and push the plastic piece up where it needs to be, then drill small holes and insert the screws again. That doesn't always work with the brittle plastic. I've made a new end piece from wood before and that works fine. You need to pull the column to do that though, and will likely need to pull the column to try new screw holes in the original plastic piece as well. Your only other option is to try using a universal three speed floor shifter. That will work, but may not clear the bench seat. You will have to make or modify the mount bracket also, as there never was one made for the T-96. The shifter will work fine, it's the mounting bracket that isn't just a bolt-on. |
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Frank Swygert
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gidaeon
AMC Apprentice Joined: Apr/01/2008 Location: MI Status: Offline Points: 45 |
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Much thanks gentlemen. I did get it squared away following advice shared here. After disconnecting linkages at trans I was was able to find the the right "combination" to have movement in all gears again. I'm still a little puzzled at how this happened in the first place unless column play allowed Rev-1st to not be in neutral.
Being as old as it is, the column shift is probably not as tight as factory but at least it works now! |
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farna
Supporter of TheAMCForum Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19676 |
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That's exactly what happens -- one lever isn't completely in neutral when the other tries to move, resulting in a jammed shifter. The shift mechanism jams, not the transmission itself.
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Frank Swygert
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