My Shifter is Stuck

[KVH]

I can't believe it. In my TR4A, with a rebuilt transmission shift cover last year, all worked fine 'til this afternoon. I pulled the shifter up and out of reverse and it got stuck in some indiscernible land beyond all reckoning. It wouldn't move at all, and seemed totally jammed. I finally somehow dropped it into 2nd, and got it back into the garage. There it sits stuck.

What's wrong? Did that little spring button from the shifter shaft dislodge?

I imagine: Out with the new radio; out with the dash support bracket over the hump, off with the pull knobs, and into the cover. Maybe just that tip spindle part?

What do you all think? Fun times are here again.

 

[TR3driver]

Wow, takes all that to get the shift lever out, huh? That might even be worse than a Stag !

If you're lucky, it's just that little plunger. Seems unlikely to me, but let's hope.

FWIW, I only lift up to select the reverse rail, not to shift out of reverse. Don't see why that should make a difference, though.

 

[alanjohnturner]

In the UK we are gradually all switching to Racestorations two-part tunnels.

This wont help with the shifter problem but does help with the speedo-drive, OD solenoid, oil-filler.

So have a look while you have this all out.

Al.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

When the trans was "rebuilt", did the shifter head get any repairs, sounds like something shifted, more than a pin.

Marv

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Do you have overdrive in the car?

Cheers
Tush

 

[PeterK]

Maybe lost the 1/4" bolt and it pulled up and out of the socket. Did you try pulling back up and trying to settle it back in place?

 

[tomshobby]

Sounds very much like you lifted the shifter far enough to remove it from the slots in the shift rails and then moved it without fully returning one of the rails to the neutral position (probably the revers rail). Remove the shift knob and rubber boot. Then the shift lever retainer cover and then the shift lever assembly. At that point you should be able to see the rails and their slots. With a screw driver you should then be able to line them up again. Don't lift up when going out of reverse. If I remember correctly after some 40 years+ this should help.

 

[KVH]

Okay, I guessed it correctly. That little steel plug, Moss Part 848-150, had slipped out. It's called the "anti-rattle plunger."

I'm not sure how that could just fall out. Mine is only about 1/4 inch long. Does that sound right? I ask because the Moss book makes it appear twice that length.

It's not very comforting imagining that happening again. I'd just yanked up to take it out of reverse, and everything locked up, but I'd think it could fall out yanking up to put it in as well.

Anyway, I'd value any ideas. (P.S. I think my plunger is new, ordered just last year. Can't quite recall)

 

[TR3driver]

Yeah, 1/4" sounds about right. Should be hollow, so the spring fits mostly inside it, and the spring is really short too.

Sorry, no help on how to keep it from coming out. Usually it's hard to get them out when you want to, I think the hole gets a bit peened over in use (perhaps from over-enthusiastic shifting). I also don't see how it could come out unless you lifted the lever so high that the end was no longer in the "cup" part of the selector. And I think the crossbolt should keep you from lifting the lever up that high. I guess I would be looking for excess wear (or missing parts) in the area.

The plunger should have a domed face where it touches the selector; if there is a flat visible in the dome then the plunger is worn.

 

[DanB]

If you're worried about it doing that again, just take it out and leave it out.:eagerness:

 

[KVH]

Mine is solid, not hollow. I wish I could remember if I violated the rule last year and replaced something not broken.