3-on-tree shifting issue

meowy84 · Veteran Member

3-on-tree shifting issue

meowy84 · Veteran Member

See, I dunno about the whole set screw business. All I meant is that there appears to be a hole that looks like a set screw hole at the base of the shifter behind the rubber boot but there's no set screw there because the WD40 tube/straw fits quite deeply (probably 2" or so) into the hole and this is where I sprayed as well. I sprayed fairly liberally; that was several days ago and so far no change. Still not working. Maybe I sprayed it in the wrong hole LOL, maybe there's another set screw hole. confuse

-- Edited by meowy84 on Thursday 3rd of October 2013 12:17:18 AM

WAGONHOLIC · Veteran Member

take the set screw out of the shifter and take the shifter out of the column and spray it inside the column ,mine was like that and mine loosend up after that

grandam455 · Veteran Member

I am having same issue, Will try it hope it works

68 427 · Poncho Master!

WHEN I BOUGHT MY '64 LAURENTIAN, IT HAD SAT FOR 35 YEARS. THE SHIFTER WOULD HARDLY MOVE. I JUST WORKED IT BACK AND FORTH THROUGH THE SHIFT PATTERN A NUMBER OF TIMES, NOT BEING OVERLY FORCEFULL, AND IT DID LOOSEN UP JUST FINE.

meowy84 · Veteran Member

grandam455 wrote:
I am having same issue, Will try it hope it works

Don't forget to let us know biggrin (self serving as it may be to request such a thing heh heh)

meowy84 · Veteran Member

68 427 wrote:
WHEN I BOUGHT MY '64 LAURENTIAN, IT HAD SAT FOR 35 YEARS. THE SHIFTER WOULD HARDLY MOVE. I JUST WORKED IT BACK AND FORTH THROUGH THE SHIFT PATTERN A NUMBER OF TIMES, NOT BEING OVERLY FORCEFULL, AND IT DID LOOSEN UP JUST FINE.

Yes, exactly, that's what I tried doing and along with the WD40 freed up the R and 1 but 2 and 3 still stuck. Maybe I should keep at it instead of resorting to taking the steering column apart anf greasing the damn thing (although it probably needs it).

grandam455 · Veteran Member

Same, reverse and 1st but 2 and 3rd bind what about linkage under master cylinder, Oil or grease to free it from jamming. Tom

meowy84 · Veteran Member

grandam455 wrote:
Same, reverse and 1st but 2 and 3rd bind what about linkage under master cylinder, Oil or grease to free it from jamming. Tom

Ya, I think the issue is something inside the actual column (I'm not sure if it's sleeves in there or what since I've never had it apart). The exposed linkages under the master cylinder have been well greased and oiled. I think the problem (the binding that is) is somethere in the linkages that hide in the steerring column.

GLHS60 · Poncho Master!

I've run into this several times and it can take a real flooding of WD40 to get freed up assuming nothing is broken or bent. I recently bought a 1977 GM motor home that has been sitting for several years and the automatic column shifter was almost seized up, moving only between drive and reverse, so both automatic and standard column shifters can develop the problem. Stick the nozzle in between the shifter and column and spray away. Then do it some more!!

Thanks
Randy

meowy84 · Veteran Member

GLHS60 wrote:
I've run into this several times and it can take a real flooding of WD40 to get freed up assuming nothing is broken or bent. I recently bought a 1977 GM motor home that has been sitting for several years and the automatic column shifter was almost seized up, moving only between drive and reverse, so both automatic and standard column shifters can develop the problem. Stick the nozzle in between the shifter and column and spray away. Then do it some more!!

Thanks
Randy

I really don't see your problem Randy, 'cause you're either driving or backing up so R and D is all you really need. LOL

In all seriousness, when parked my shifter went in and out of all gears so I'm assuming the no damage scenario (unless a mouse died in the steering column and it's carcass is blocking the movement, which believe it or not might be a possibility and at this point wouldn't surprise me). I guess I'll just have to put some old t-shirts on the floor to absorb the excess dripping and spray the heck out of the innards of the column and hope that frees it up.

sixtywagon · Uber Guru

Had the same problem with a 60 chev I had.... Kept spraying it and eventually it loosened up and worked flawlessly, Well as close to that as possible

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

If a mouse died in your steering column mast jacket it would not be possible for you not to know, unless you have no sense of smell. It would be truly bad, so bad that bugs would choke.

You are progressing the right way by liberal application of WD40 and gentle persuasion. Once it frees up just remember that WD40 isn't actually a true lubricant of the lasting variety. You might want to follow up with some white lithium grease, what they sell as garage door lube in aerosol form.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Perhaps Fluid Film would work better?

GLHS60 · Poncho Master!

meowy84 wrote:

GLHS60 wrote:
I've run into this several times and it can take a real flooding of WD40 to get freed up assuming nothing is broken or bent. I recently bought a 1977 GM motor home that has been sitting for several years and the automatic column shifter was almost seized up, moving only between drive and reverse, so both automatic and standard column shifters can develop the problem. Stick the nozzle in between the shifter and column and spray away. Then do it some more!!

Thanks
Randy
I really don't see your problem Randy, 'cause you're either driving or backing up so R and D is all you really need. LOL

In all seriousness, when parked my shifter went in and out of all gears so I'm assuming the no damage scenario (unless a mouse died in the steering column and it's carcass is blocking the movement, which believe it or not might be a possibility and at this point wouldn't surprise me). I guess I'll just have to put some old t-shirts on the floor to absorb the excess dripping and spray the heck out of the innards of the column and hope that frees it up.

Actually, it was a problem, as the shifter wouldn't go into park, just R-N-D. That's why they sold it so cheap, their neighbor mechanic friend told them it was an internal transmission problem and to get rid of it. The in and out movement was seized solid, but has been free ever since. Have you flooded yours with WD 40 yet??

Thanks
Randy

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Canadian Poncho wrote:
Perhaps Fluid Film would work better?

x 100 that stuff is the best .....

GLHS60 · Poncho Master!

Well, I can't disagree with my cousin so Fluid Film is formally the recommended bolt action lube!!

Thanks
Randy

meowy84 · Veteran Member

CdnGMfan wrote:

If a mouse died in your steering column mast jacket it would not be possible for you not to know, unless you have no sense of smell. It would be truly bad, so bad that bugs would choke.

You are progressing the right way by liberal application of WD40 and gentle persuasion. Once it frees up just remember that WD40 isn't actually a true lubricant of the lasting variety. You might want to follow up with some white lithium grease, what they sell as garage door lube in aerosol form.

I must somewhat disagree with you on the mouse thing. If only 1 mouse was present then ok but if there is a mouse infestation (like happened in my case) and the car interior already smells of mouse urine a dead mouse lodged in the steering column apparatus would likely go undetected. Also mice have a habit of "drying up" when dead so that lowers the mouse VOC emissions. lol

As for the WD40 I haven't done anything further than my original spraying which didn't fully free things up and now with the snow and work I just haven't had the chance to do a good spraying but have removed the steering wheel for better access and plan on a good spraying soon.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

GLHS60 wrote:
Well, I can't disagree with my cousin so Fluid Film is formally the recommended bolt action lube!!

Thanks
Randy

Spray in Fluid Film and leave to new year The shifter will shift like new no poop

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

427carl wrote:
GLHS60 wrote:
Well, I can't disagree with my cousin so Fluid Film is formally the recommended bolt action lube!!

Thanks
Randy
Spray in Fluid Film and leave to new year The shifter will shift like new no mouse poop

4 speed · Veteran Member

Hello Colleague, I have had numerous 3 speeds and almost all of them eventually had your problem, just put it in neutral on the column and go out under the hood to the steering shaft and you will see where the rods connect at the junction box (near the firewall) and move the levers by hand (wear gloves due to grease and grime) to match neutral then go back inside the vehicle and try to shift again, I hope this works it always did for me. PS I am searching for a 61 Pontiac to put my 283 into, do you know of one by chance..????? regards...Terry (aka 4 speed)

4 speed · Veteran Member

hello ,over the years I have had lots of 3 speed trans with this problem but it wasn't so much lubrication as it was play and misalignment, try putting the trans in neutral (under the car) and then see if the shift arms are in neutral on the column by the firewall. If not in the center put them as such, then try to slowly and methodically put the shifter into second and third.....from sitting and then attempting to shift while stiff it may be "locked up".... good luck....it always worked for me...TDM (4 speed)

HonestDave · Addicted!

I just had one last week, an autobox (62), that was seized solid from sitting. The rod was rusted inside the shifter arm on the tranny. Had to use penetrating oil, and then tap with a hammer over and over, up and down, and finally got it to budge. Fifty more times (or so) and it was moving freely again. You may have the same issue with one of your linkages on the side of the transmission. The rods actually rust right to the insides of the arms.