When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote in about shifter linkage problems. I was having trouble finding the right gear ( automatic) so I replaced the bushings, adjusted the rod coming down. Everything seems tight with the linkage. But I’m still having the same problem. Can something be done to the steering coloum? It does seem a little sloppy
unsure of what year your truck is but this picture says its a 1974-1977 with A/T.
1974-1977 A/T
And this is the 1978-1979 A/T
Thankfully, you can still buy A/T shift tubes from a couple sources, Dennis Carpenter and LMC for two options. The A/T shift collar is also available from numerous sources, if those haven't been replaced, i bet they could be your culprit.
Check the welded on tab on the shift tube, and see if it's broken, or loose.
"First you need to remove the steering wheel, (rent a steering wheel puller from the parts house) then the turn signal switch. Drive the roll pin out of the gear shift and pull it out. There is some spring pressure to work against to get the shifter out. Then, underneath the turn signal switch are two nuts. Try loosening these first then remove the casting. These are what "clamps" the collar in place. If you take the nuts all the way off the little square head bolts might fall into the steering column and can be a real pain to retrieve.
Once all that's out of the way, you can pull the shift collar off. To remove the turn signal switch, you need to remove the phillips head screws that hold the switch in place. Unplug the switch harness under the dash. Look at the harness plug, then look at the terminals, there are little plastic fingers that lock them in place. Depress the fingers and pull the wires out of the plug. Be sure to make a chart of where the wires go. Once the plug is removed, tie a string around the wires and pull the switch out all the way. The string will make getting the wires back through easier. The shift collar just pulls off and the new one pushes on. After that reassemble in reverse order."
