[T3] Rattling shifter (Jim Adney)

[Richard Hamje]

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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