Loose shifter

[Millz90]

Sounds like your rear main seal in the engine is leaking. At the least you need a pan gasket.

So should i fix that before i get into the transmission......not sure how to change the seal and what all it involves. I dont want to fix the transmission and then find out i have to pull it anyway or vise versus...fix the oil leak then have to do something to that part of the engine after i start fixing the transmission.

 

[Millz90]

Here is a picture of what i saw. Its hard to tell but there is oil all over the oil pan and basically everything else including the transmission.

Also, i guess the other picture is of the shifter cable and it looks like that is covered in oil as well and the boot is about falling off.

 

[Millz90]

Ok, now that i have the oil leak hopefully stopped i am getting back to the transmission problem.
I am going to remove the pan tonight and see what the inside looks like.
I will post a picture tonight after i get in the pan. I hope its just a loose bolt! (Fingers Crossed)

 

[Millz90]

ok, so i finally got time to drop the transmission pan tonight and to my suprise it actually had a newer transmission pan gasket in it so im assuming the previous owner was looking for the mushy gear shifting problem as well.

Here are some pictures of what i found.
The comb looks good...actually everything looks really clean and nice....no loose bolts.

Let me know what you think and what i should check next if you would.

 

[Millz90]

Any ideas on this guys? I would like to figure out this problem and fix it this weekend!.....ANY help would be appreciated!

Twisted Metal??

 

[Twisted_Metal]

I don't see anything wrong.
The comb doesn't look worn and there appears to be tension on the spring/roller mechanism.

Move the gear selector arm on the transmission (by hand) and watch how it works.
(It will be more stiff than using the shifter due to lack of leverage.)
See how it works?

Now... Press the fingertip of one hand to the spring holding the roller to the comb while you move the gear selector arm with your other hand.

Do you notice any difference with more tension on the spring?

I'm not sure if shimming the other end of the spring or "tweaking" it a bit for more tension would be the better route to take to provide more feedback.

It's a personal preference, really.

You can hook the cable up to the arm and bolt the bracket to the trans case to test spring changes with the shifter before you bolt the pan back.
(Be careful not to ding the sealing edge of the case with the shift cable bracket. Use piece of cardboard between the bracket and case for protection.)

A pic of the other end of the spring would help determine how bst to change the tension if that's what is needed here.

 

[Millz90]

Move the gear selector arm on the transmission (by hand) and watch how it works.
(It will be more stiff than using the shifter due to lack of leverage.)
See how it works?

So are you saying to force it into another gear by moving the comb?

Now... Press the fingertip of one hand to the spring holding the roller to the comb while you move the gear selector arm with your other hand.

Do you notice any difference with more tension on the spring?

Im not sure what you mean by spring? I dont see a spring?

 

[Twisted_Metal]

That thin little arm holding the roller to the combb IS the spring.

The gear selector arm is the part the cable attaches to, outsde the transmission case.
You can move the comb but it's easier to move using the arm on the outside.

 

[Millz90]

ok so i tried to move the gear arm and i so i couldnt get it out of park. I didnt want to turn the key becuase the car is sitting on stands right now....but i tried to turn the gear arm with pressure on the spring and i really couldnt tell a difference.

I did see that the rod that is held in to the frame is loose though? It doesnt seem like it could be the problem with so much mush in the shifter but i wanted to call it out.

Or could it be the cable that runs to the transmission? It seems pretty worn out where it connects to the transmission.


Hope these pictures are good enough...if not just let me know.

 

[Millz90]

Im starting to wonder if it isnt something inside the car? Maybe something with the shifter its self? Is that possible

I can move the shifter inside the car a good 2-3in without it even thInking about engaging into reverse. Also the connector and that is beside the shifter is nice and tight. There's no play in that

Is there something that can be adjusted at the actual shifter?

Thanks!