Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
03-13-2012, 04:36 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 194
|
1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Hey guys, I hope one of you can help.
I'm restoring my 72 Chev 4x4 that I've had since new and one of the things that has happened over the years (can't remember when) is that the transmission column shifter has gotten real stiff and hard to move around from Park into the various gears and back again. Do any of you have a guess where I might start looking for the cause of this stiffness? Maybe this has happened before to one of you and could share where the problem was. I appreciate any input, thanks, Gary |
03-13-2012, 05:10 PM | #2 |
*** That's interesting ***
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,772
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Unhook the linkage in the engine compartment at the firewall. Get inside and move the shifter. See if the lever moves freely then. If so, then it's in the linkage going to the trans and not the column. One note: if you have a tilt column and you have the long pointer, remove it so it doesn't get broken. I don't remember when the column changed.
Next step is to unhook the trans and move the lever by hand. If that is stiff, then it's inside the trans. Otherwise you can work the linkage by hand and see if that's stiff. If it's a problem with the linkage rods, chances are they just got rusty on you and need some TLC.
__________________
Tom Chevy by day... 1969 Chevy C30 Rollback Tow Truck -- 383 stroker, 4L80E 2011 Chevy Caprice PPV 9C3 6.0L 1995 Chevy Caprice 9C1 1994 Chevy Caprice 9C1 #3 1995 Chevy Caprice Wagon #2 1995 Chevy Impala SS Mopar by night... 1969 Dodge Charger 1972 Chrysler Newport 2dr Hardtop (27K miles) Plus others... |
03-13-2012, 05:49 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
i'd start by spray the heck out of the shifter tube on the column with wd40 or simaler stuff// i've found 40year old moving parts respond well to cleaning and lubrication
__________________
71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
03-13-2012, 06:26 PM | #4 | |
Hollister Road Co.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Houston
Posts: 6,134
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Quote:
|
|
03-13-2012, 07:30 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 194
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Thanks for your input on this. As I'm messing with it it feels like the stiffness has more to do with pulling the shifter back, like you would do to release it out of park. That sounds more like steering column to me as some of you suggested. I've never had the steering column out before, does it disconnect at the joint just below the shifting arms? Are there any links you guys know about showing this procedure? I like being prepared before I dive into repairs.
Thanks all for your help, Gary |
03-13-2012, 07:45 PM | #6 | |
Active Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Quote:
You may not have to take it off. Some guys have had success by doing what's mentioned above. Just be patient and let the lube work. You'll have to spray the hell out of it so be sure and protect the carpet or floor pan with towels. |
|
03-13-2012, 07:55 PM | #7 |
Active Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Read through this posts and be sure not to force it too much cause the shift levers have been known to break. You may have to remove the steering wheel and all the internal turn signal parts and bearings, etc. for easier access. Just take pictures and keep everything in order.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=465107 |
03-13-2012, 08:12 PM | #8 |
My Carbon Footprint
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orygun
Posts: 5,527
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Gary......if this lasts longer than 4 hours, please go to the doctor.
|
03-13-2012, 11:44 PM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 194
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
|
11-16-2013, 11:00 AM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Cbus, OH
Posts: 48
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
I know this thread is old but <amazingly> the great advice holds up. Thanks all!!
|
11-17-2013, 07:37 PM | #11 | |
Active Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Quote:
The one thing I have found out is that regardless of the problem with these old trucks, someone has experienced it. Lots of good info in here from some very knowledgeable folks.
__________________
68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive... |
|
05-29-2014, 02:17 PM | #12 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
Thank you so much for the WD40 suggestion! It worked for me in about a second after spraying the shifter lightly so it dripped along the tube into the column. I was thinking I needed transmission work done and was not happy about it. My 72 Chevy van has never been so easy to drive, not since I've had it anyway. I had no idea it was actually supposed to be so easy to shift. It had gotten so stiff, it actually hurt my arms to get it into park and reverse. Thanks!!!
|
10-09-2015, 04:09 PM | #13 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The moon Alice
Posts: 93
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
I know this is an old thread, but a few sprays of WD-40 and it freed up real quick!
Thanks for the tip. Seems to really worked and almost instantly. |
10-14-2015, 05:43 PM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Stanwood, WA
Posts: 1
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
My auto column shifter had the same issue. I sprayed the inside with white lithium grease. One pull back on the shifter and she was freed up.
__________________
I got fun.....You want some? |
03-12-2018, 12:33 AM | #15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Wishram, Washington
Posts: 35
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
2018 and this worked like a charm.
|
02-20-2021, 02:53 PM | #16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: San Diego CA
Posts: 3
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
I am having the same problem... it seems to be catching on the tab from park to reverse. I know when you pull handle towards you, it should release out of park and vise versa. I will be trying the ideas of isolating the culprit today. If i am successful, i will update the gang. Otherwise, i will be back with frustration. Thanks for all the tips guys...
Mr. Chevy |
02-21-2021, 07:15 PM | #17 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Henderson NC
Posts: 975
|
Re: 1972 Automatic Column Shifter Stiffness
One thing I found out with my 1970 is you can put the shifter handle into the colum wrong. It will shift but will be hard to go in and out of park. Don't really remember exactly how it does it but I drove my truck for 2 years like that. The roll pin kept trying to work out so one day I pulled the pin out and replaced it. When I had the roll pin out I pulled the shifter handle out and put back in the right way and it has shifted like factory for 10 years now.
|
Bookmarks |
|
|