[davem815]

2/4/2020 shift linkage working

The column shifter would not work. It would shift between Reverse and First, but would not move to the 2nd/3rd gate. The linkage under the truck was all freed up from installing the engine, so it had to be in the column.

I removed the steering wheel and disassembled the upper steering column. After I searched how to remove the turn signal collar (I forgot you had to leave the turn signal mechanism screws in slightly, and turn the collar counter clockwise), I removed the collar and turn signal mechanism to get access to the shifter handle and shifter sliding collar. I soaked it good with penetrating oil and I worked it back and forth until would move between all four gears. I let it soak overnight.
The next day it would move easier between all the gears, so I lubricated the collar and reassembly the steering column, installing a used steering wheel that I had bought at the Southeast GM truck nationals several years ago. It's so much better than the old cracked and dried out original.