hupp

Anyone have any tips to aid in replacing the rear shift rod coupler? My engine is out and I was in the process of dropping the TT (bad bearing) and noticed that the bushings were completely gone in the coupler -- new one is on the way.

Currently the transmission is in neutral the old coupler is currently mounted on the transmission gear selector rod. The coulpler clevis is in the horizontal (parallel to the ground). The manual states that once the coupler is mounted is should be rotated counter clockwise a couple of degrees when the trans is in neutral. If this is the case, should'nt the old coupler that I am observing be slightly off the horizontal?

Vilhuer

I think 2 degrees in WSM refer to gear lever. It should be few degrees towards driver and also few degrees back when box is in neutral between 2/3 gears. Seting lever straight and rotating real coupler few degrees before tightening arm around coupler achieves same sideways result.

That is if gearbox internal springs keep coupler straight. Seems one spring is weaker than other in older type boxes (up to '84) and coupler twists towards 4/5 gears when miles add up. Since yours is straight this shouldn't be problem.

Levers fore aft inclination can be set few degrees back by seting lever sgraight up, having dreaded front ball cup first directly on top of TT ball and then turning cup inwards one or two rotations. Doing all of the above should result correct stance for gear lever.

New coupler will have some play in fore aft direction.

hupp

Vilhuer,

Thanks for the help, but let's see if I comprehend correctly.

-Install new coupler on transmission shaft in the horizontal position and tighten set screw.
-Slide selector rod (which is attachet to the shift lever) into the new coupler.
-Rotate selector rod counter clockwise a couple of degrees then tighten pinch bolt on selector rod.

Is this correct, or should I:

-Install new coupler to transmission rod and leave set screw loose
-Slide selector rod into new coupler - coupler to be in horizontal orientation
-Tighten pince bolt on selector rod
-Rotate assembly counter colckwise on transmission shaft a couple of degrees
-Thghten rear set screw.

Vilhuer

Here's how I would do it.

- Install new coupler on transmission shaft and tighten set screw. There's basically only one possible position for it if everything is right.
- Slide selector rod (which is attached to the shift lever) into the new coupler.
- Have someone inside hold gear lever dead straight in left right direction.
- Rotate coupler ever so slightly (2 degrees) towards 4/5 gears and tighten pinch bolt on selector rod.

So I vote for first option.

JKelly

I discovered last year that the coupler boot had gotten pushed back and a bushing had fallen out of the shift coupler. I thought about buying a new coupler, but that seemed too ridiculous for me so I went to the hardware dept at Lowes home improvement and bought a hard rubber stopper for a dollar or two. I drilled a hole in it and then shaved it with an exacto knife until it fit snuggly perfect (the bushing is sort of oval shaped). It's still working great.