floppy 3-on-tree column
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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floppy 3-on-tree column
Does anybody else have this problem?
The shift bar on my 71 f100 300-6 feels verry loose, especially when it's in 2nd grear (up & back). The bar drops down and sometimes goes into neutral while i'm driving.
What would cause this? Is there something I can tighten?
The shift bar on my 71 f100 300-6 feels verry loose, especially when it's in 2nd grear (up & back). The bar drops down and sometimes goes into neutral while i'm driving.
What would cause this? Is there something I can tighten?
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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I can almost positively say its your syncros going out in your transmission. A good rebuild shop could replace them for about 5-8$ a syncro plus maybe 50$ labor, (if you pull the tranny out yourself, if not your looking at major cost for labor).
Remember
Good Luck.
Remember
Good Luck.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Wesley Chapel, FLA
With all due respect the synchro rings are not the problem of the thread starter. They may be so on post #2.
txwing, there are several bushings in the column shift system, starting right at the bottom of the shift lever and ending right at the transmission. These are cheap and fairly easy to replace. Also there is a roll pin at the bottom of the shift lever that can be loose because of cracks in the housing where it goes. If the housing is cracked it will need replacement. DC has them, $43. A really good used one might be hard to find but if you did find one seems it would be cheap. I went through my column shift once, sure was nice afterwards. Sometimes I still wish I had it back.
txwing, there are several bushings in the column shift system, starting right at the bottom of the shift lever and ending right at the transmission. These are cheap and fairly easy to replace. Also there is a roll pin at the bottom of the shift lever that can be loose because of cracks in the housing where it goes. If the housing is cracked it will need replacement. DC has them, $43. A really good used one might be hard to find but if you did find one seems it would be cheap. I went through my column shift once, sure was nice afterwards. Sometimes I still wish I had it back.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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my shifter is very floppy as well. It requires a whole lot of touch just to make it work, and it always falls from second down to where third and first are; but it never loses the gear. I haven't gone after this problem yet, but I was thinking it had to do with the shift tube. I replaced it once because the litle nub at the top was worn off. The bottom looked very thin, like it could become bent and worn easily. let me know what you find out.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 188
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From: Wesley Chapel, FLA
Same thing. Just needs a little time and a few new parts. It will seem like a different truck. The reason they "hang" is just that all the pivot point bushings/grommets are worn. Most likely the main parts are fine, with the exception of the piece at the top of the column where the lever fits in. It's made of aluminum (could even be pot metal, not sure) and can get sloppy or break at the roll pin area. I remember now that I "fixed" mine for awhile by putting a small hose clamp around it to keep the cracks squeezed shut and hold the roll pin in. There is a rubber deal that is supposed to be in there too, you can bet it's shot if there's any of it left at all.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,072
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From: tulsa
If you think that its just the shifter and not the tranny look at a floor shifter conversion. not hard to put on and possably easer to find than a new colum
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Florida Hill Country
If you are wanting to keep the truck original, I would consider geting the column rebuilt. There are some old ford mechanics at some of the older dealerships that can do it and there is a company that can do it but it could be about $300 to $400.
The floor shifter conversions don't always work as well as you may hope, and you have to cut a whole in the floor which is almost sacrilege on a good cab.
The floor shifter conversions don't always work as well as you may hope, and you have to cut a whole in the floor which is almost sacrilege on a good cab.
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Posting Guru
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From: Thomson, GA
you have to cut a whole in the floor which is almost sacrilege on a good cab.
A working column shifter is MUCH nicer than a working floor shifter. My hurst unit is just as picky as an old worn out column shifter. And if there are 3 in the truck, 1st and 3rd shifts are some what uncomfortable. Its a good way to get to know someone if you catch my drift.
But it is cheaper and easier than going through your column shifter, and once you figure out how to work it and ways you cant move it, it will work fine and I can shift pretty darn quick when I need to.
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