Shift Coupler replacement - done!
 

Hi,
I'd like to share that I was able to change the shift coupler without breaking anything :D

Anyway I just want to thank Pelican for hosting this forum and for all people who have contributed with priceless information (I must have read all threads related to shift couplers).

Here are some pictures with the old coupler (like the one Pelican has for sale) and the new (used but in good shape) which seems to be compatible but it's not as good quality as the original I should say...

I can't take out the car for a drive since roads are covered in salt, rocks and snow. But I can already tell the difference by moving the shift rod, simply less play..

I will change the other bushings: shift rod and ball cup. Today it was a good day but still too cold to do something else... (0c or 32 F)

I must say I followed Quincy's advice and that saved me a lot of time: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=141245&highlight=shift+ coupler

Left old, right replacement:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1076220645.jpg

Left old, right replacement:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1076220661.jpg

Left old, right replacement:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1076220720.jpg

Left replacement, Right old, :
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1076220680.jpg

Old one has 1mm (or more) of axial play, no wonder the shifting was so sloppy:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1076220700.jpg


Can't wait for the warmer time of year...
-J

EDIT: nevermind

that looks like something that could be rebuilt with ease...I never noticed what mine looked like when I removed it last summer, guess I should go and take a look.

Great job!!
Hope the weather warms quickly so you can finish the other bushings.

Glad the thread on what worked for me helped you!! Wow, I contributed to reducing the struggles of mankind in the quest to survive (at least in the P-car world)! I'll go tell my wife.....she just rolls her eyes. :-)

Take care!!

Quincy

You'll be amazed when you drive it, at least I was. The coupler was a big help, but doing the other bushings made a difference as well. I did mine a few days apart to tell the difference. Just to warn you, budget some time, my shift rod bushing in the tunnel was a b!tch to get in, not nearly as easy as Wayne's book makes it sound, maybe it was just mine though.

Why didn't you just do the bushings?

If you mean replace the coupler bushings is because I couldn't take the pin out, seems that I'll need a special high pressure machine (don't know the name) or I may need to wack it till it's out.

If you mean the shift rod and the shift cup bushing is that it was too darn cold to continue working... It took me 5 minutes to replace the coupler...

I will replace all bushings and will put back the original coupler, I bought the full bushings kit from Pelican.

Sometimes I wish I was in sunny Calif.

Bye
-J

If you're careful, you can tap out the center pin and replace the bushings. IYou don't need special tools. t's not a tough job, and not very expensive. Our host sells the bushings.

I'll have to disagree with you Scott. I broke mine last week trying to get the pin out with a tie rod tool after trying to knock it out with a hammer & punch unsuccessfully. It doesn't take much to break the cast aluminum. I was so pissed, :mad: I refused to buy another one & instead ordered a Wevo unit for $120 more

The way to do it is to support the coupler by resting the bushings on a socket. Then, gently but firmly tap out the pin. It's do-able, and far less expensive than buying a new coupler if successful.

I took mine to Napa, I think they charge me like $10 to press the old one out and the new ones in.
My old one was really really bad. New one felt great.

Pat

Likewise, I just brought mine in to a friendly local mechanic down the road from me. $10 & 5 minutes later it was done.

good job...i noticed a wonderful improvement after doing mine... but i did the cup ball replacement and the other thingy that the shifter shaft slides along. it cleared up the slop a little..plus i found the hex bolt thing on the front of the shifter which helped with the slop too, i think :)

I used a block of wood with a hole drilled in it which the pin would fit through. Then I lined up the pin with the hole and knocked it out using a bolt and hammer. When the pin was out, I flipped the bolt and used the head to drive out the old bushings. Took maybe 5 minutes :)

-B

That is exactly how I did it a few weeks ago. Worked well.
It seems we share the same mind as well as the same first and last name and almost the same car. Same state too.

-Brad Brown

Crap, that IS eerie...seeing someone else with my name.. My wife frequently calls me *********, maybe I'll just go by that here too :)

maybe she is referring to the other guy -- both of you can use that....