NP 205 shifting HARD. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gmc71 · 10-23-2005, 03:26 PM

Today is the first time I have had any difficulty shifting form 2wd into 4 hi or 4 low. The only way i could get it back to 2wd from either 4 hi or low was to rock the truck forwards and reverse a bit, I could do it but felt lucky that it went into or out of 4wd. Whats going on here? Any suggestions.

al's71gmc · 10-24-2005, 06:24 AM

Do you have a lot of play in the shifter? Maybe needs new linkage bolts/pins? Mine in the 71 was pretty hard to shift right before the bolt in the linkage snapped off. I replaced it and another one and it's much better now. The one that broke was the one that screws into the back of the transmission, and the only way I could get it out without dropping the whole unit was to take out the hump and weld a nut onto the broken end. It worked like a charm, but would have been a lot easier if I had checked and replaced linkage before it broke.
Is there a chance the linkage got bent?
Have you checked the fluid level?
Good luck, Al

OLDCHEV4X4 · 10-24-2005, 07:59 AM

I have a 205 with a 4 speed and a 205 with a automatic. And I always had to rock mine. And the linkage is in good shape.I lock the hubs in first, then shift. Sometimes with the auto i have to shut the motor off.

gmc71 · 10-24-2005, 04:08 PM

Short of sounding like a fool, how do you check the fluid level? I see a drain plug, and an inspection cover. Whats the right level, I assume I should change the fluid? How much, any recomendations on fluid brand?

b454rat · 10-24-2005, 04:57 PM

There are two drain plugs on the 205. One is near the bottom, and the other is diagonal from that, just about underneath the rear shaft output. After you drain it, put the lower plug back in and fill it till fluid comes out of the upper plug.

gmc71 · 10-24-2005, 08:42 PM

thanks, do you think that will help, or maybe fix the problem?

OLDCHEV4X4 · 10-25-2005, 07:50 AM

mabey..if it was low on oil. I use 80w-90 gear lube. It never hurts to change the oil. Try and change it when its hot.

10-23-2005, 03:26 PM	#1
gmc71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 115	NP 205 shifting HARD. Today is the first time I have had any difficulty shifting form 2wd into 4 hi or 4 low. The only way i could get it back to 2wd from either 4 hi or low was to rock the truck forwards and reverse a bit, I could do it but felt lucky that it went into or out of 4wd. Whats going on here? Any suggestions. __________________ 72 Chevy 4x4 350 55 Chevy Bel Air 350/350 53 Matchless G80s (motorcycle) 06 Trailblazer SS 400hp LS2

10-24-2005, 06:24 AM	#2
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	Re: NP 205 shifting HARD. Do you have a lot of play in the shifter? Maybe needs new linkage bolts/pins? Mine in the 71 was pretty hard to shift right before the bolt in the linkage snapped off. I replaced it and another one and it's much better now. The one that broke was the one that screws into the back of the transmission, and the only way I could get it out without dropping the whole unit was to take out the hump and weld a nut onto the broken end. It worked like a charm, but would have been a lot easier if I had checked and replaced linkage before it broke. Is there a chance the linkage got bent? Have you checked the fluid level? Good luck, Al __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

10-24-2005, 07:59 AM	#3
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: NP 205 shifting HARD. I have a 205 with a 4 speed and a 205 with a automatic. And I always had to rock mine. And the linkage is in good shape.I lock the hubs in first, then shift. Sometimes with the auto i have to shut the motor off. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

10-24-2005, 04:08 PM	#4
gmc71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 115	Re: NP 205 shifting HARD. Short of sounding like a fool, how do you check the fluid level? I see a drain plug, and an inspection cover. Whats the right level, I assume I should change the fluid? How much, any recomendations on fluid brand? __________________ 72 Chevy 4x4 350 55 Chevy Bel Air 350/350 53 Matchless G80s (motorcycle) 06 Trailblazer SS 400hp LS2

10-24-2005, 04:57 PM	#5
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,454	Re: NP 205 shifting HARD. There are two drain plugs on the 205. One is near the bottom, and the other is diagonal from that, just about underneath the rear shaft output. After you drain it, put the lower plug back in and fill it till fluid comes out of the upper plug. __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 6” lift 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 4" SAS

10-24-2005, 08:42 PM	#6
gmc71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 115	Re: NP 205 shifting HARD. thanks, do you think that will help, or maybe fix the problem? __________________ 72 Chevy 4x4 350 55 Chevy Bel Air 350/350 53 Matchless G80s (motorcycle) 06 Trailblazer SS 400hp LS2

10-25-2005, 07:50 AM	#7
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: NP 205 shifting HARD. mabey..if it was low on oil. I use 80w-90 gear lube. It never hurts to change the oil. Try and change it when its hot. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania



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