Sloppy Gear Shift - 74 CS

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jbrubaker001

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I've been cleaning up here and there around the new car and now that I have the gear shift boot off I've noticed that when I shift gears there is quite a bit of movement from the entire gear shift mechanism at the shift lever ball joint area. When I move the gear shift lever I can actually push down on the gear shift and the entire mechanism will move down.

My question is - shouldn't this be fairly solid? Does this mean my transmission mounts are shot?
 
Depends on which tranny- 4 or 5 speed, solid or floating shift platform.

What tranny do you have?
 
Replace the two bottom bushes. If there's play in the top rod, remove the set screw and replace the rubber o-ring or find a longer setscrew to push the top rod off to one side while leaving it slightly loose so the shift knob can rotate.

You're gonna have to crawl underneath to see the rest. Makes sure the foam block that seals the trans/ body/ shifter opening is in place. Really cuts down on noise.

If you're really moving the whole trans/ motor, then it's more than 1 trans mount or the right front motor mount is seperated. Change them all.
 
Ok - after losing second gear when driving the car for about an hour I got under the car and noticed the mount for the gear shift was just downright sloppy. The gear shift mount attaches to the body/frame at four points through four removable mounts that have bushings which are just worn out. I've tried to locate these mounts in the technical articles without any luck. Does anyone know where I can find these? Actaully, while I'm at it I would like to replace all bushings related to the gear shift mechanism. Anyone know where I should look?
 
Two things:

1) I've found the shift tower mounts - will replace ASAP.
2) When looking at the gear shift from inside the vehicle..I've removed the foam gasket and there is a hole right in from of the gear shift (towards the rear of the vehicle). Should there be an attachment here that holds the shift tower mount secure to the chassis? Curretnly this hole is empty which I think has aided in the demise of the shift tower mounts.

Let me know what you think
 
On the four speed it is just the four rubber/alum bushings that hold the shift mount in place (basically pressed up against the underside of the tunnel, slightly compressing the foam seal). The hole you are talking about is not used. It is used for the 5 spd shifter mount an not sure what else.
 
4 shift mounts - variety of places have these i got on eBay

2 bushings (1 for each side) for the shift rod to gear selector rod connection
upper and lower plastic shift rod ball socket pieces
spring and cover plate for above
rubber bushings that fit inside shift lever
new foam pad

above items available through Penske or Max

I recently did these and it makes an amazing difference - solid, smooth, and crisp shifts.
 
Stevehose said:
4 shift mounts - variety of places have these i got on eBay

2 bushings (1 for each side) for the shift rod to gear selector rod connection
upper and lower plastic shift rod ball socket pieces
spring and cover plate for above
rubber bushings that fit inside shift lever
new foam pad

above items available through Penske or Max

I recently did these and it makes an amazing difference - solid, smooth, and crisp shifts.
Click to expand...

Steve
Have you got the numbers for these items?
I need to do the same job myself.
Thanks
 
4 shift mounts - 25111202842 (these are cheaper through a parts supplier not Mobile Tradition dealer - about $12 each)

2 bushings (1 for each side) for the shift rod to gear selector rod connection - 23411466120 (need 2)

upper and lower plastic shift rod ball socket pieces - 23411466110 (need 2)

spring for above - 23411200845 (you may not need coverplate if it is in good condition)

rubber bushing that fit inside shift lever (check condition of the other parts inside the lever) - 23411666133

new foam pad - 23411200936


fredp said:
Steve
Have you got the numbers for these items?
I need to do the same job myself.
Thanks
Click to expand...
 
I have a stock 4 speed, if yours is different you'd have to track down the corresponding similar parts, some of which may be same, some slightly different.

fredp said:
Steve, are those parts for a 4 speed or 5 speed box?
Click to expand...
 
OK - hit a roadblock - I can not get the dowell pin that connects the selector shaft and the gear shift removed. It's hard enough to get to let alone apply any pressure. Is there one particular direction that it comes out? Any other tricks?
 
Make sure you loosened or removed the setscrew in the center. A vice grip a small nut that fits the diameter of the key maybe corresponding short socket so the pin can slide. To the left or driver side seems easiest. righty tighty ; lefty loosey?
 
It's a small hex screw which is accessed from the rear side of the linkage towards the front - i'm out of town otherwise I'd tell you which size it is - I was under there last weekend reinstalling the shift lever. See # 10 below.

B0016899.png
 
Sorry I didn't mention it but I had already removed the set screw. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to fit vice grips/pliers in such a tight area without removing exhuast and drive shaft. Is this an inevitabilty or can this be done without?
 
Alright - finally was able to work the pin free with some PB Blaster and persistance. Once this was pulled, I removed the gear shift, replaced all the mounts and the shift tower itself (quite a pain), all related bushings and completed the job. The shifting is now awesome and works like new.

What a joy! Thanks to all who helped make this a reality.
 
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