question about the shifting rod bushing

[GGR]

Hi all.

the bushing between the shifter arm and the shifting rod boke and leaved me stranded with my '71 Pagoda auto trans. Luckily this happened right in front of the garage so I just had to push the car inside. I ordered a new bushing but I did not see any clip to hold it in place, like on the side shift systems? Is it just pressed in the lever and then pressed onto the rod and holds in place like that? Or did I miss something?

Thanks!

[badali]

It is pressed into the rod first.  It is easier if you pull the shifter from inside the car to install the bushing in the rod.  There is one at the top end also.  Remove the carpet then the 4 bolts and pull the whole assembly.  If you put the bushings in hot water it will soften them for easier assembly.  After you pull the shifter you will see it will be self explanatory.

[GGR]

Thanks. Will do.

So there is no clip on the shifter arm to kep the rod in place, like on other models (didn't see any grove for it either).

[Leester]

Tech manual has pictures. Not sure which bushing quit on you but if I remember correctly the only place where there is a clip is at the ball on the bottom of the shifter. There are two bushings there, one below and one above the ball. Above the the upper bushing is held in place an internal circlip - which also holds the shifter in place.  Other bushings are much smaller and as Badali said - they are just pressed into place - then a bolt and nut (10mm I think), (with a washer on each side) goes through the linkage to secure it.

[GGR]

... if I remember correctly the only place where there is a clip is at the ball on the bottom of the shifter...

The bushing in question is at the bottom of the shifter arm, where it connects with the rod that actuates the transmission. It is down in the tunnel.

[badali]

no clip on that lower one.  pressed fit

[GGR]

Thanks

[Larry & Norma]

If that one is badly worn then the top one will be as well, suggest you change both. Do a search on site for descriptions and pics on fitting.

[rb6667]

I had the same problem as you did.  Backed out of the garage one day, and the shifter went limp.  Was able to reach up under the car and put the linkage back on to get the car back in.  I ordered the replacement bushings.  There are 2 of them.  One for the shifter end, and one for the linkage on the side on the trans.

Obviously this had happened to one of  the PO's in the past.  There was a cotter pin on the shifter side of the linkage.  (Not Factory)  The bushing was shot...but the linkage stayed on due to the cotter pin.  I could not take my shifter loose since my carpet was glued down very well.   Thankfully, I was able to replace the bushing with the shifter still mounted in the car.  A pair of needle nose pliers with a bend, allowed me to press/pop the shifter rod back on to the linkage.  New cotter pin, and that end was fiixed.   I do not see how I could have drilled the hole with the shifter still mounted in the car. Just not enough room.  If you can get your shifter out, Drill it then!

Now for the other end on this rod, (Trans end) I did drill a small hole in the  liinkage that allowed me to put a cotter pin there as well.  If you look at the linkage, you will see that the bushing fits in a small grooved that goes all the way around.  Drill the hole outside of this groove.  I did a mock up to see exactly where I needed the hole to be.  There is very liittle room for error here...so take your time.

One final note, it's easy to put the bushings into the linkage incorrectly.  They have be facing the correct direction for the rod to pop back on to the linkage.
Don't ask how I know!!

If my linkage bushings go south again, at least I can still get into gear now that I have both ends secured with the cotter pins.

Hope this helps.

RB6667

[Leester]

So sorry - missed it that yours is automatic - my post was for stick shift - senior moments seem to be occurring more frequently

[GGR]

Thanks. I will see how I go about it once I receive the bushing. If the carpet holds in place strongly I may not mess with it and will do the way you did.

[66andBlue]

Here are the part numbers that you need. You really should replace all four while you are at it.:
732: 112 267 00 50 (2x) bearing bushing about $12.50/each
786: 112 268 01 50 (2x) linkage bushing about $2.75/each
Just bought them from David Gallon for my 280SL.
The small bushing 744 rarely goes bad.