1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
to expand on this... the shift shaft coupler was changed from a round unit shape sized about like half a roll of life saver candy with the shaft coming in from each end towards the hole in the middle... to one that is more like a bow tie with a rubber motor mount like center. The center of this one would tear and when you move the shifter left to right or right to left it that translates into a rotation and the "new and improved" shift shaft coupler when torn would not translate the rotation from the shifter side to the transmission side and instead would open up, think of using your hand to mimic someone talking... just like that. You can see it from above in the engine compartment with a good flashlight, look down past the belts and it will be on the center of the steering rack. Get a helper to move the shifter *slowly* from to rear until you can see the unit, it has two nuts on each side, once you have seen the unit then get them to move to the center of the H and SLOWLY move from far left to far right (simulating moving from the 1/2 slot to the 5/R slot) and see if it all moves as one, or if the other side lags which indicates it's torn.
Temporary fix from under the car (thank you Walter Wong) is four sturdy zip ties, one around each end and the other two in an X around the center to basically clamp the two sides together. trim the ends. JACK STANDS REQUIRED PLEASE!
More permanent fix is to use two hose clamps, one around each end of the coupler BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE that they don't bind anywhere, you need to orient the screw part of the hose clamp to clear everything. have your helper VERY VERY VERY slowly move the shifter through the gears 1,2,3,4,5,R and then R,5,4,3,2,1 and if the screw portion clicks rubs or anything then reorient it. You will get the idea once under there. JACK STANDS REQUIRED PLEASE!
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