I am a VIRGIN... Clutch changing virgin that is! I did a search and don't fully understand what to do with the shift linkage rod. Clarkes Garage says to "Turn the shift rod down and push forward the front of the vehicle." Am I suppose to able to turn the shift linkage rod down and to the right or left by hand or am I to use a short screw screw driver or something in the linkage hole, to force the shift rod linkage sideways so that the linkage hole is facing downward? I really don't want to break anything un-neccessary dealing with the tranny (HIGH COST FACTORS INVOLVED!) Also any body have any pics of how shift linkage bar looks when taken out? Is it one single bar or does it have a disconnect piece which allows half of the bar to come out with tranny? Any help from the clutch changing veterans would be greatly appreciated!

 

Bump!

 

The rod is one piece and must be disconnected from the tranny shifter assembly before it can be turned down and slid forward out of the way. It sounds like you may not have done this yet. Follow the directions in the transmission removal section of Clark's Garage. Once you have disconnected the shift rod from both the tranny and the shift lever, I found that it was easier to turn and slide the rod from the transmission end. In my case, it was easy to turn over and slide forward by hand, although the foam padding/insulation below the shifter does get in the way.