Help needed from Shifter Adjust Experts

[lespaul]

I posted before on this, but attracted no takers.

It is a 73 T with a 915 transmission. I took shifter apart, cleaned, replaced all bushings and replaced shift seal. New Swepco in transmission. Adjusted clutch. I can nicely shift into all 5 forward gears and reverse. No problems, no grinding, no nicking.

Only one issue - in 5th I detect no "discernable play" in the shift coupler. I have adjusted the shifter twice using the proper procedure. Both times, I got the good result of being able to crisply shift into all gears - but still no 'discernable play" in 5th.

Living in VT with its winding roads, I rarely use 5th. But I am concerned about damaging my transmission or the shifter if I do not have it properly adjusted.

Questions -- 1. Need I worry? 2. Which way should I move the shift coupler to achieve the play that is required? Up or back, or rotate? If rotate, which way?

Thanks for any help.

[Mo_Gearhead]

I'm certainly no shifter expert.

I am, however, confused by the term "no discernable play"? Has someone told you ...when in 5th, there SHOULD be play/sloppiness?

I did as you, rebuilt all (shifter bushings, coupler) and all is smooth/tight now.

You also say it shifts fine?

What are you looking to achieve here???

[lespaul]

Mo,

The tech article for shifting improvements on this forum says

"h) Check things out. You must be able to engage reverse clash free (give the gear a little bit of time to stop after you stomp on the clutch), shifting should get to all the gears easily when driving.....things don’t work as smoothly when stopped and lastly, there must be a little bit of rotational play when 5th gear is selected. This is checked by shifting into 5th, and feeling whether you can wiggle the shift coupler with your hand. It should just click back and forth slightly...not much, but clearly discernable play."


So - re reading it answered one question. I am looking for some rotational play. Is it important? How can I get it? One spline to the left or right?

[Zeke]

You might be too hard against the outer shift guide. I would suggest loosening the shifter body and wiggling it a bit while in fifth (parked). If that doesn't give you just the little freedom on the lever they ask for, then yes, move over one spline. Then check your 1st, rev plane.

[Mo_Gearhead]

QUOTE: "I am looking for some rotational play. Is it important? How can I get it? One spline to the left or right?"
______________________

Sorry, I can't understand why one needs play in 5th or why (if) it's actually necessary?

Have to wait for shop experts to chime in I assume.

[lespaul]

Thanks Milt. I will try that adjustment.

[RWebb]

BTW - the 3.2L Bentley manual says there should be a tiny bit of play in 5th.

But I have no idea why

[RWebb]

BTW - the 3.2L Bentley manual says there should be a tiny bit of play in 5th.

But I have no idea why

[javadog]

The reason for the play is that the fifth gear is the only forward gear that doesn't let the shift lever seek it's own position; it is held in place by a tab welded to the lever. You want to make sure that with the lever in this position, there is no force being applied to the shift rod. It's similar to the advice of not resting your hand on the lever.

JR

[rusnak]

you can just shift into 5th, loosen the shift coupler bolt with a 13mm socket and box wrench, the re-tighten. There ought to be some play. Then make sure you can shift into 1rst and 2nd smoothly.