[bluesmobile]

I just got my 1972 SJ GP home, and I need to fix a few things with it, the most interesting problem to me is that to return the transmission to park, I have to first put the console shifter into park (but the trans does not go into park), and then twist the steering column shroud counter-clockwise.

I have not torn into the car yet to figure out the problem, I was searching on here because I thought it might be a common problem. I have not found anything. Have any of you experienced this?

attached some pics of her too. Pretty sad right now, but should be a fun project!

Jeremy

[400 4spd.]

It may be your shifter cable or ignition/steering lock rod that goes down from your column to the transmission. I would check the cable first.

BTW, I also have a triple white '72. Lots of car, there.

[bluesmobile]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

It may be your shifter cable or ignition/steering lock rod that goes down from your column to the transmission. I would check the cable first.

BTW, I also have a triple white '72. Lots of car, there.

I think my car originally had a vinyl top, there is some filler and funkiness where the vinyl top trim would have been...

The interior is neat, though. 2-tone white/black. I like it.

I got under the car and checked out the shifter cable and column linkage assy. It appears the previous owner made a bunch of half-baked repairs. The cable is not clipped into a shoddy-looking bracket. I think I will get a new cable, bracket, and clips from our sponsor.

Jeremy

[jmt455]

Jeremy,
Sounds like a classic case of worn or missing shift linkage bushings.

If they are missing or worn, replace the nylon pivot bushing, spring and thrust washer at the linkage pivot bracket (where the shifter rod pivots in the frame bracket).

Also, there should be a compliant (usually green) bushing at the connection between the shift column lever and the shifter rod, down low on the column in the engine compartment. Those bushings are usually broken, mushy or missing.

You'll never get the linkage to work properly if all of those components are not in good condition.

Also, follow the adjustment procedure exactly as described in the Service Manual; if you don't use the proper sequence, you'll be chasing your tail to get it to work properly with the Park/Neutral switch.

[69GP1]

I had the exact problem with my '69, in fact, the key wouldn't even come out until I rotated the sleeve on the column. The trans would stay partially in R when the lever was in P.

I adjusted the sliding clevis on the downrod going from the rotating collar to the linkage, the key would come out after that, but the trans still wasn't going fully into park. I then ordered a new cable, and decided to go ahead and take the old one out before the new one arrived.

When I removed the console, I saw the real problem. The bolts were loose on the nylon piece in the shifter, the piece that allows it to slide from position to position. The nylon slider on the driver's side was half out of the slot that it rides in. I cleaned it up, put loctite on the bolts and put the slider back in, doing both sides. It made a WORLD of difference in the feel of the shifter, and all positions work fine.

I didn't use the cable I ordered, another new part in my stash that I ended up not needing.

[bluesmobile]

Originally Posted by jmt455

Jeremy,
Sounds like a classic case of worn or missing shift linkage bushings.

If they are missing or worn, replace the nylon pivot bushing, spring and thrust washer at the linkage pivot bracket (where the shifter rod pivots in the frame bracket).

Also, there should be a compliant (usually green) bushing at the connection between the shift column lever and the shifter rod, down low on the column in the engine compartment. Those bushings are usually broken, mushy or missing.

You'll never get the linkage to work properly if all of those components are not in good condition.

Also, follow the adjustment procedure exactly as described in the Service Manual; if you don't use the proper sequence, you'll be chasing your tail to get it to work properly with the Park/Neutral switch.

Thanks for the info, all of the bushings looked to be present and intact. I replaced the cable and the problem still exists. i need to dig deeper into the linkage, like you suggest.

I don't get the opportunity to work on the car very often, and so updates from me are slow, thanks for your help and insight.

Jeremy