Transmission will not shift into reverse. Did notice the "ring" that must be pulled up has no resistance, in fact the ring stays up without touching it. Before this no-shift issue, that ring always seemed spring loaded down. All other gears fine, and all done with engine running, clutch in. Should I start freaking???
Thank you for your help and time!!

 

I don't have that tranny but there is one basic question that might assist you getting help. Does it go into reverse with the engine off but on when it's running? Any issues with other gears?

 

It sounds like the lift ring may have come loose from the lift rod. Also the lift ring is plastic, so it may have broken.

The lift ring has a small allen head set screw that tightens into a groove on the shifter rod (a rod inside the hollow shift lever).

When you tighten it don't get carried away because the lift ring is only plastic and can be stripped or broken easily. Also the allen set screw goes into a groove on the rod, so it will lift the rod without the set screw being very tight.

If the lift ring is broken, they are still available. I got one this summer from the Chevy dealer.

If you need to move the car around, you can remove the shifter **** and lift the center rod with a needle nose pliers to get reverse.

If none of the above, there is a lever that the center rod lifts that blocks the shifter from moving into reverse. There is a very slight possibility that the lever is broken or damaged and not lifting correctly. Unlikely, but it can happen.

Good luck.

 

I still have my original broken lift ring. It has a small crack that radiates from the set-screw hole. Even WITH that crack, I could tighten the lift ring enough to enable function for weeks/months before I had to tighten it again.

I think the allen is kind of a hard size to find....like a 3.5mm? I don't remember. I'm pretty sure it's metric though.

I bought a new one to solve the problem. Then, I only kept it for a short period before reselling it because I bought a short-throw shifter W/O that annoying piece?

Why annoying? Because it buzzed/rattled after being fixed. That buzz kinda led to me choosing a short-throw -- which is one of the best mods I ever did!!!!

Anyway...Dollars to donuts, that set screw is loose and/or the lift-ring is stripped/cracked.

It's not something you could have much luck gluing either. IIRC, I think it's made of a nylon material. Plus, you need to be able to remove it for disassembly.

The other trick (if you decide to replace it) is figuring out how to pull that bloomin' **** off! LOL You'll have fun with that -- if it comes about. There's a nail-shaped wedge that's hammered down into the shifter (under the plastic indicator button). I used a brake tool to pull/pry it out. I've seen plenty of posts where people tried everything!

FWIW, the brake tool I used looks like a miniature 6"crowbar. I used to use it to rotate the adjuster wheel in drum brakes....which is what I think it was designed for.