sloppy shifter

[zztom]

Well, I have an early Z ...HLS30-19867.....and there are no bushings in the shifter. Do I have to replace the metal fork? It seems worn and its probably not going to bend closed with my help. Are the bushings for later model shifters? Thanks

Zztom:sleep:

[2ManyZs]

Well, you can get new bushings for both the early style and the later style, type A or B transmissions, not sure by your Vin but you should have the later B style.

The early A model transmission is known for it's sloppy shifter. The later B model is much improved, any car begining with the 72's has the same style shifter. There is a bushings that goes on the end of the shifter into the shift rail, and a bushing on the pivot. You shouldn't need to bend anything, unless you think it is already bent.

[Zvoiture]

Yes, NO BENDING!

The three nylon bushings will change the way you think about life! The difference is incredible! $17 at your local 'ship for the three. HAreder to get the old ones off than the new ones on. Just 'snap' them on and enjoy knowing what gear you are in.

steve77

[zztom]

I took the e-clip off and pin out and there isnt a spot for anything. The pivot area with the spring seems fine. It is just at the bottom of the arm that seems sloppy. I was even thinking of putting in a thin spacer where the pin goes through. I have a four speed in the early Z (hatch vents). A friend in the club put bushings in his later Z and what a difference !! I just dont seem to go to enough of the tech sessions to realize my problem.. Thanks for the help. Zztom :sleep:

[MDyer]

Does the "buzzing" in the shifter / shift knob indicate the need to replace (or absence) of these bushings?

[2ManyZs]

zztom, by your description you have an early car with the later B model transmission. There should be a two piece bushing in the shifter where the pin holds it in place. There should also be a bushing on the bottom where the ball on the end of the shifter goes into the shift rail.

MDyer, the buzzing sound could be caused by bad bushings (metal to metal) or it would be a signal you have a bearing going bad and transmitting vibration thru the shift rail and into the shifter. If I were you I would drain the transmission and check for metal shavings, there should be a pretty good sized gob of mush on the magnet of the drain plug, but if it's bigger than a grape and shows a lot of large, coarse shavings you may have a center bearing going bad. You could try a set of bushings, but I think if you have a noise coming through the shifter you may have an internal problem that should be at least investigated a little further to prevent a bigger problem later. Sorry, but the shifter is normally pretty quiet, so it may be something internal. Hopefully it's something simple like a center bearing, not a gear or synchro going bad.

[zztom]

There doesn't seem to be any room for a bushing. The pin is the only thing that fits. There is no ball at the bottom of shifter. The only other thing holding it is the screw end with a spring. With the pin out I can move the fork all the way off , pivoting on the spring. Maybe I'm missing something. :sleep:

[2ManyZs]

Maybe we missed something, is your shifter sitting high above the trans case with a nut on the bottom holding it into the shifter mount?? If it is you have a type A trans, if not you have a type B.

From your earlier description I thought you may have had a type B. Type B transmissions had the shifter mounted on the case itself with the shift rails all being internal to the case.

A type A transmission is going to have a lot more play in the shifter compared with the type B. It's just in the way it was designed. There should still be some bushings that could be replaced that may help. Just need to know for sure which trans you have. I am not sure by your VIN number but it seems to me you should have a B type. My car is a late 71 and yours is about 4,000 later so you should have a series 2 240 if I'm not mistaken. If it is a type B there are 3 bushings, one that goes into the shifter rail itself, and two that go into the shifter where the mounting pin goes thru. The type A transmissions are quite a bit different, I'd have to go look at mine to be sure I'm giving the right info.

[zztom]

Yea...I have the one with the nut. The fork attached by the pin and the e-clip is very loose fitting. Maybe stuffing a shim or washer in with the pin might tighten it up..:sleep:

[2ManyZs]

I've got two or three of the A types out in the shop, let me take a look in the morning and I'll see if I can come up with an idea.