shifter problems
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 7
From: Chetwynd B.C.
shifter problems
My shifter on my 68 M21 has been giving me grief for quite some time now. Very hard to get out of reverse for the last 2 years.... have to hit it HARD sideways to get it out of reverse. Popping out of 2nd and 4th (especially when down hill and throttling off). Hitting the console in first gear and so bad recently not using 1st at all... just lugging it in 2nd to get off the line. Lots of torque so not really a problem but sure is a bore to drive LOL
I've shimmied the tranny so it shifts into 1st real well now and doesn't hit the console but now I CAN'T get it out of reverse when ever I use it.
My question now (if you want to take this mission) is, do I:
1: replace the shifter with a new one (hurst or otherwise)
2: rebuild it with a rebuild kit.
Thanx for any input.
shmoky
I've shimmied the tranny so it shifts into 1st real well now and doesn't hit the console but now I CAN'T get it out of reverse when ever I use it.
My question now (if you want to take this mission) is, do I:
1: replace the shifter with a new one (hurst or otherwise)
2: rebuild it with a rebuild kit.
Thanx for any input.
shmoky
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Whether or not you choose to rebilud the existing shifter or replace it with a different unit is your call...as for the popping out of gear issue that sounds like it may be an internal transmission problem. If you went with a Hurst shifter you would have a more positive, direct feel since the Hurst unit is bolted onto the transmission itself rather than the the chassis like the stock unit, but you also get whatever vibration is in the driveline coming up through the shift ****. The stock setup is designed to minimize that. You should also look at the transmission mount- if it's broken or badly worn it could be causing some real adjustment issues...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You shimmed the tranny...do you mean at the mount? Sounds lke a worn mount and shift rods now out of adjustment. Start there before removing and rebuilding the shifter, or tranny, or both.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
If I am not mistaken, the shift levers on the transmission have two positions to catch the rods from the shifter. If you use the lower holes (closer to the pivot point), the shifter travel is reduced. That may cure your shift lever hitting the console problem.
Is your clutch releasing fully? That may be the problem with the reluctance on first and reverse.
Is your clutch releasing fully? That may be the problem with the reluctance on first and reverse.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 7
From: Chetwynd B.C.
Afterwords we re-adjusted the linkage etc.
I will take a second look at the mount but I believe it is okay.
shmoky
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
So you shimmed the shifter mounting bracket to provide shift handle clearance with the console. That works, or you could go to the short throw holes on the 1-2 and 3-4 levers as already mentioned. Whatever you do, you need to re-align the shift rods to the tranny levers, making sure all tranny shafts are in clearly in neutral. Somehow you need to maintain smooth side to side travel of the shift handle thru the neutral gate, either with an alignment tool in place...or a trusted garage buddy with a beer in the other hand. 
Significant others are not recommended for performing this task (nor pumping the pedal while bleeding brakes.)
Does your shifter have a lot of slop to it? Is it full of dirt and oil? If so, a rebuild is in order and actually quite easy to do. Zip sells parts.
If your tranny mount has never been changed, I would if I were you. It may look good on the outside, but the rubber could be torn or flexing under load. Maybe happened when you did that burnout for your Avatar?
How about your motor mounts?
Significant others are not recommended for performing this task (nor pumping the pedal while bleeding brakes.) Does your shifter have a lot of slop to it? Is it full of dirt and oil? If so, a rebuild is in order and actually quite easy to do. Zip sells parts.
If your tranny mount has never been changed, I would if I were you. It may look good on the outside, but the rubber could be torn or flexing under load. Maybe happened when you did that burnout for your Avatar?
How about your motor mounts?