[T3] Rattling shifter (Jim Adney)

[Bryon Garvin]

(I have a few more questions about this so if you're sick of reading about
rattling shifters, delete now :)

Richard,

I remember you doing this so thanks for chiming in.  I read your
instructions a couple of times and I am wondering, is your retaining ring
more toward the rear of the car or the front of the car?  If you look at my
picture:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QRI5DJTd_0VWRv9_2ixYGhcfKKAyAIKBl44rFl1M4Ig?feat=directlink

the ring is toward the front of the car.  In fact, its slipped off due to
the lip on the bushing breaking off.  You can see it just floating free
ahead of the bushing.

So my question is, seems to me as the rod is pushed back in by my friend, I
would put the ring on first (like you see it in my picture), then the
bushing, get it seated in the bracket under the shifter and snap the ring on
the bushing.  Yes?

When I read your instructions, it sounds like you put the ring on last.
Also, I can't see how your bushing fell off into the tunnel.  Mine is split
on one side and slips over the rod.  It wouldn't fall off on it's own.  Do
we have different kinds, or am I missing something?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'd rather be prepared for problems than
wonder what to do next if I get stuck.

Thanks!

 - Bryon, '71 Fastback

On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 8:22 AM, Richard Hamje <richard at hamje.net> wrote:

> Hi Bryon,
>
> I recently did this job, and it was miserable.  The plastic bushing was
> split.  Once it was replaced, all was silky smooth.
>
> You don't have to remove the rod all the way if the hole in the tunnel is
> big enough to get your hand into.  In my '73, it is, but I heard that in
> older models it's not.
>
> The rod gets a bit thinner toward the rear.  Pull the rod out the front of
> the car until it's past the metal bracket under the shifter.  Remove the old
> plastic and the retaining ring.  Lube the rod and slide the new plastic
> bushing over it from the rear.  If you have a helper, have that person slide
> the rod back in while you guide it through the bracket and then put the
> retaining ring around the tube.  Now puch the tube all the way in until you
> get the bushing seated into the bracket.  if you don't have a helper, put
> some tape over the bushing (and then the ring) so it won't fall off (I
> failed to do this; the bushing fell off into the tunnel and it took me an
> hour to retrieve it).
>
> When the rod is full re-inserted and the bushing is in the bracket, then
> the fun starts.  Spread the retaining ring and place it over the bushing.
>  This is really hard to do - there isn't much room.
>
> I heard from someone who did this job without removing the shifter tube at
> all - he cut the bushing in half (so it looked like two "C" s) and
> reassembled it with the rod in place using the retaining ring to bind the
> two halves together.  I did not try this, but I can see how it could work.
>  The bushing is only $3 - it would be worth the risk...
>
> Good luck,
> Richard
>
> Richard Hamje
> '73 Electric Fastback
> Portland, OR
> richard at hamje.net
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