4+3 Trans Shifter Shafts
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
4+3 Trans Shifter Shafts
Yesterday I replaced the shifter shaft seals because they were leaking. So now 1st and 2nd gear shift fine but its very hard to get into 3rd gear (and doesn't kick out of gear), then when I move the shifter to 4th gear it shifts fine but it is still actually in 3rd gear at the transmission . I believe when I reinstalled the shifter shafts back into the side cover I was off on the location by one notch where the retaining ball holds the shaft for 3rd and 4th gear. So my question is ? If I move the shifter to the 4th gear location and then remove the linkage from the transmission then move the shifter to the 3rd gear location and reattach the linkage it should shift into 4th gear now (maybe). Will this work I don't know just trying to avoid having to take the side cover back off but I will if I have to. I do know the shifter fork is in the correct location and attached to the shaft. So basically what I am trying to say is 3rd and 4th gear are the same. This is a 1988 Doug Nash 4+3 transmission with 29,000 miles.
Last edited by 4fishlips; Sep 14, 2021 at 03:38 PM. Reason: add more words
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
Are you sure you put all the cover parts in, a bushing/tube inside bushing a spring a plug inside spring capped on each end by Ball bearings sqeezed between shifter cams.
Outside Trans arms hang down from rods. Reverse gear Arm goes up from rod
Outside Trans arms hang down from rods. Reverse gear Arm goes up from rod
Last edited by s carter; Sep 14, 2021 at 06:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
I will be putting it back on the rack tomorrow and I know the bushing/tube, spring, plug and the ball bearings were installed correct. As for the linkage I may have installed it wrong (upside down) I will know more tomorrow. Thank you S Carter for your suggestions.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 484
Likes: 109
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Oh boy, the shift arms are labeled 3&4 and 1&2, from front to rear it goes 3&4, 1&2, R. All forward gear shift arms go UP not down, only reverse goes down, and thats the only way it will fit. That would explain the backwards shifting.
Last edited by ThatOneKid; Sep 15, 2021 at 11:15 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 484
Likes: 109
From: Fairfax, Virginia
No. Front to rear is 4-3-2-1. Yes the 1&2, 3&4 arms go UP from the pivot on the side cover, but go down from the shift rods. (Which is what S Carter said. He's correct, but a little confusing.)
When the shift **** is moved forward (from Neutral) the rod moves backwards. So 1 & 3 the arms move back.
When the shift **** is moved back (from Neutral) the rod moves forward. So 2 & 4, the arms move forward..
If you've had one of these apart, you'd know that the trans couldn't even be assembled if the ratios were in the order 3-4-1-2. The larger 1st speed gear wouldn't pass by the larger 2nd gear countergear. And: 4th gear is input gear locked to the mainshaft. So 4th must be at the front. Which it is.
When the shift **** is moved forward (from Neutral) the rod moves backwards. So 1 & 3 the arms move back.
When the shift **** is moved back (from Neutral) the rod moves forward. So 2 & 4, the arms move forward..
If you've had one of these apart, you'd know that the trans couldn't even be assembled if the ratios were in the order 3-4-1-2. The larger 1st speed gear wouldn't pass by the larger 2nd gear countergear. And: 4th gear is input gear locked to the mainshaft. So 4th must be at the front. Which it is.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 3
From: Georgia
Finally got the car on the rack and the problem was I had the linkage for 3/4 gear shift rod going down instead of up. So after 5 min. of work every thing is fine. Thank you for the replies.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 592
From: New Port Richey FL
Don't ya just love it when it's Daa moment fix and it's easy and cost free. Glad it all worked out