Need help with shifter movement.

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Jun 28, 2010 | 08:14 PM

chrissmallwood

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Need help with shifter movement.

Hi all. I have a few questions on some abnormal shifter movement in my truck. It has a T18 and everytime I put it in reverse and take off I hear a "clunk" type noise and the shifter moves about 5 inches to the left and it becomes almost impossible to shift into 1st or 2nd gears. I have to try and take off in 3rd until the shifter moves back to the right before I can put it into 1st or 2nd. I thought it might have been the transmission mount because the rubber was falling apart but after I replaced it the problem still exists. Does anyone know what might be causing this?

Jun 28, 2010 | 08:17 PM

Rogue_Wulff

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From: Lost

Wow, I was thinking trans mount, right up to where you mentioned having replaced it, which was needed, even though it didn't help.
Only other thing I can think, is something inside the trans is amiss......

Jun 28, 2010 | 09:31 PM

ctubutis

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From: Denver Metro Area, CO

My same thoughts here... I'd remove the shifter and re-install it, that shifter is little more
than a flattened steel rod that needs to fit into the transmission's mechanism correctly for
everything to work right. You'll need a flashlight and what I call a mirror on a stick to look
inside where you can see at least four, um, I'll call 'em actuators but I'm sure there's a
more appropriate technical term - that get pushed forward & backward by the shifter. If the
shifter isn't orientated correctly, weird mis-operation will result.

Jun 28, 2010 | 11:18 PM

chrissmallwood

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Thanks. Ill have to try and look into it tomorrow. Hopefully Ill find something.

Jun 28, 2010 | 11:27 PM

Festus Hagen

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From: Maine (NorCal Native)

ctubutis, great explanation, The technical term would be shift rails.

And like everyone else my first thought was the mount as well.

When the shifter is in this goofy condition how far does it move around freely??

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

Jun 29, 2010 | 04:54 AM

ArdWrknTrk

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From: EXTREME southwest CT

Here's a link to a exploded view gif of a T-18 that I posted in this thread last year.

Borg Warner T-18 Transmission Diagrams and Information

According to this: T-18/T-19 Overview - BumpWiki The 1966-1978 T-18's used a different shifter mechanism than later models that shifted reverse directly.

This site: Identifying a T18 Transmission Has some good views of that.

Jun 29, 2010 | 09:41 PM

chrissmallwood

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Festus Hagen

It moves pretty freely. It moves just like normal other than not being able to move far enogh over to shift into 1st or 2nd.

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Jun 30, 2010 | 01:07 AM

Festus Hagen

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From: Maine (NorCal Native)

I'm wondering if the shifter retainer is loose allowing the shifter to come up therefore allowing the shifter finger to disengage from the rails.

Try holding it down as you shift to see if this helps prevent it from happening.

You can also reach up on top of the transmission and feel if the shifter retainer is loose.
Illustration Number 88 on this Illustration Borg Warner T-19 Illustration.

It screws on, Do not tighten unless the shifter is in neutral and in it's normal operational state.
I don't believe it's supposed to be completely tight.

[edit]
Now that I think about that, it does not fit the issue description ...

You're likely going to have to pull the floor mats and the transmission tunnel cover so you can pull the top off the transmission and do some investigating...

I see many things that could cause the described issue.
loose forks on the rail allowing the rail to roll.
Worn indents.
[/edit]

-Enjoy
fh : )_~