Joe,

Welcome to FTE! If it can't be solved here a tear will form in the space time continuum, cats and dogs will accept cohabitation, and mass hysteria will ensue...

There is a spring detent that must be overcome. If the detent mechanism has worn over the past 17 years, there may be a flat spot or a burr preventing the shift rods from rolling past the spring. The good news is, you should be able to change the detent follower and spring without getting into the rest of the transmission. We'll just have to locate it and hope you can reach it with the transmission still in place...

 

Thanks for the welcome. I spent most of my life in Texas; but went to TCU - Go Frogs!

I was sure I'd get an answer; but was afraid of what it might be. I was hoping for the "hit it right here with a hammer" kind of thing.

I broke a shift rail long ago on a SM465 and it acted similar; but stayed in 3rd no matter where the shifter went. Looks like it may be coming apart for a look.

Thanks,

Joe

 

I did a little more internet searching (lost the location so I can't give proper credit); and came up with a thread about slapping (bouncing?) the shifter twice to get into the 1-R gate. Went down and tried it a couple of times and no-dice. Decided I'd give it another try; but due to my lack of physical coordination I seemed to have slapped three times. Third time was charm.

Did some repeat tests; and 3 slaps always works. 2 never does.

As the truck only has 350,000+ on it; I'm hoping that this will get me the next 150,000 that I'm expecting.

Thanks all,

Joe

 

Fix it, it's only going to get worse

 

With a nice thick 350,000 miles of protective coating gunk on the transmission right now; I'm willing to live with a little slapping rather than pulling the transmission. I'll see how long I can park where I can turn around rather than back up after that.

There may come a day-

 

I did this and it has a sweet spot. Other than that I kinda have to force it

 

The 7.3 ZF6s have a weak shift fork that can break off. It was fixed for the 6.0s, other than that pretty bomb proof.

 

I've owned two with the ZF650, and both were syncronized in low and reverse.

 

I jusu tried it with the engine off and it works great. So what does that mean it is?