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Shifter rod that runs from the cabin to the trans locking up
Ok guys this is a weird one. I'm putting my 951 back together. The trans is in and the black shift rod that runs from the shifter on the side of the trans to the shifter inside the car is giving me issues. It is run through the hole in the top of the trans casting and routed above the torque tube just like its supposed to. The problem is that after bolting everything together on the trans end and installing the pinch bolts, the black rod is sitting "too low" and takes a huge amount of force to get it to line up with the shifter in the cabin so that I can install the bolt and circlip. Once I got it together, it takes a crazy amount of force to get it into gear and I can feel and hear the rod scraping. Its obviously not fitting correctly and jamming against the torque tube; which doesnt seem possible since the rod only fits in one orientation. Visual observation seems normal and when the rod isnt being forced to meet the cabin shifter, it has plenty of free play. I cant figure out whats wrong.
Make sure the rod isn't bent. And/or you'll have to take stuff apart to see exactly what the rod is scraping against. I guess the question is: is it rubbing the body, the transmission flange, or the torque tube?
Do you have anything that's changing the alignment, such as a short shift kit, or a different trans mount?
Make sure the rod isn't bent. And/or you'll have to take stuff apart to see exactly what the rod is scraping against. I guess the question is: is it rubbing the body, the transmission flange, or the torque tube?
Do you have anything that's changing the alignment, such as a short shift kit, or a different trans mount?
dont see how it could have bent. it fit fine last time the car ran. Trans mount is stock. Just to be sure, the rod is meant to sit directly ON the torque tube right? My issue is it seems to want to naturally lay crooked to one side or the other of the torque tube center line. When I pull the rod such that its centered and fits on the shifter, its obvious the bottom of the small bend in the shaft is jammed up against the torque tube just behind where the cabin shifter bolts on. I dont see how this is even possible. maybe some pics/video later today will help illustrate what im trying to convey.
Think I found the issue. this looks bent at the rear where the trans shifter linkage slides in; which matches my visual observation of that end being too "low" when everything is bolted up. no idea how in the world that happened, since its been sitting inside my 951 for the past 2 years and it was straight when it came off the car.
Well, maybe. I was hoping to get some second opinions. I have obviously seen great number of these shafts, and it sure looks bent to me. I'm being just a little cautious before accepting that as fact simply because I cant think of any possible way this unit could have gotten bent by sitting in the hatch of my car for 2 years.
The picture is from pretty much straight on, right above it. It looks bent at the back near where the trans shifter linkage rod would slide in and be secured with a pinch bolt. If it is indeed bent, then surly that is my issue. Does anyone have one of those shifter rods laying around to look at to verify the bendiness of mine? I dont know if that part changed early vs late with the change in trans mount, but for what its worth this is on my 951 so obviously a late car.
I would just have a fat friend stand on one end, and then bend it back until it's more or less straight
lol, I dont know if thats actually viable or not. The rod seems pretty stiff (oh yeah you know it). which only puzzles me more how it got bent if it well and truly is. I posted more pics with a flattish object next to it as reference. looking at other pics online, it sure seems bent.
Do you have a brother that might have needed a pry bar at some point? I think the they should pit a disclaimer on the rods just like Snap-On Screwdrivers, that nobody pays attention to.
951 shifter bar is different from the early cars. Mine is early, but it's straight w/o any bends,except for the one next to where it bolts up to the shifter.