Hello, I searched but did not find anything: I bought my car recently and it would not shift at all. I took out the shifter collar and found broken lower section where it goes into the column tube. Found one here (thanks Craig Selvey) Now when I test fit it the first and reverse go in (I checked the selector lever movement -the one closer to the firewall) when i pull the lever. When the lever is in its resting position I assume i should be able just pull it down or up and select 2nd or third but it feels mushy and does not move the selector lever in the engine compartment at all. Is it a common problem? I assume the steering column needs to come out....
OK so I took out the column and found out that the boss on the shifter tube is missing the 2/3 selector lever in the resting position. It is backed out too far. The circled area in the picture is where it is missing the notch in the selector lever. Another words if I pull on the shifter lever slightly it will engage and I can shift. That sucks IMO- I want to make it right. The only reason I can think of is that there is a lot of play between the shifter lever nipple and the socket in the shifter tube. That would allow the spring tension push the tube too far back. Is there anything else stopping the shifter tube from backing out too far. I looked but could not find anything. Both ends of the shifter tube are floating freely in this setup- there is no stop at either end. Unless I'm missing something...
So apparently the outer tab should be approx same size as inner? I've never had one of those apart. Half a eon ago I did have a '64 Galaxie with shift issues but I repl whole column.
Thank you for chiming in. Yes initially it would seem that way but upon closer inspection the outer tab has never been extended all the way to the end of the tube. The tube simply goes back too far. either there is some mis alignment or some wear in the components that allow for that. I wanted to ask what stops the tube from going back too far? What determines the tube resting location? Is it the nipple in the shifter lever when the shifter hits the end of the slot in the collar? Any column shifter experts here?
I guess I'm about to become the expert then. Or.. maybe I should just turn the MAV into an autonomous driving car. Before Tesla. I'm pretty much done actually ...;-)
I'd guess there is supposed to be a thrust washer or similar that allows the shift mechanism to align properly when it's in the 2-3 gate. Any chance something is different about your replacement collar that's causing issue? Gotta run out, later to day I'll see if I can post a exploded view of stick shift column.
Not that I can see any thrust washers in the exploded view I found. It may not be the right one however. The only thing I'm missing is the lower bushing (C9AZ-7335-A?) that I found shredded inside the outer steering column tube. That would help I suppose but it looks like I need the tube 1/8"-3/16" forward and the flange on this bushing is only less than 1/16" ....
OK so I decided to take things into my own hands and become an expert on manual column shifter. First I improved the fit between the shifter lever nipple in the shifter tube by making and pressing in a steel bushing with some epoxy for better retaining. Now the fit is nice and precise so I should not have any slop. Next I installed a stopper screw in the shifter lever so I can precisely adjust the resting position of the shifter tube for a proper engagement with the gear selector lever for the 2/3 gear. Last I ordered new lower 7335 in the drawing above to have nice smooth movement and proper spacing. Once it arrives I'll assemble the column on the bench and get back here to let you know how it worked out .
I finally got all the parts and assembled the column last night. works wonders. I had to make the stop screw stick another 1/16" or so more with washers but now I get full engagement on the 2-3 selector lever, very little play and short throw as a bonus. I suspect it has never been that good before. The pic below shows the the shifter tube 2/3 selector tab well visible on the back side of the shifter mechanism. Little obscured I know but that's the best I could get it- I was in a hurry to finally get the car working . Seems that it does but have not started and driven yet since I finished at 11pm last night, very excited!!
Happy to report the shifter works good. Drove the car around the block for the first time. Next I'm tightening the steering box and adjusting clutch, The steering is wobbly and vague. Suspension soft and squeeky. Manual drum brakes don't seem really sure about braking. Boy I love these old cars!!!
