I'm no expert, but having a few of these vehicles over the years there's some things you seem to be careful with. I've had two separate ones that would get stuck in-between gears if you try and shift while taking a hard corner. I guess from body flex, etc. So when driving these vehicles I had set my self up for the hard corners and shift before the turn starts. If not it would get stuck in-between gears and then I'd have to finesse (in my case a small hammer) the rods back in place under the hood.
On what secures the rods there at the column is just those metal C looking pieces that press against the rods when you tighten the nuts. I don't see those in your pictures, but it may just press against the washer looking pieces on yours. And if you loosen those nuts to far the rods can fall out (don't ask how I know)
