Re: Stuck Transmission Gearshift Shaft - 1950 Deluxe
Posted by HH56 On 2020/8/16 16:58:24
The problem is the upper lever has no oiling provision and there is nothing in the literature about lube requirements. Without any oil it has probably run dry for years. In addition to no oil, any condition that produces condensation on a cold piece of metal will allow that moisture to run down the tube and collect in the space between the shift tube and lever causing rust and corrosion and eventual sticking as yours has now done. By all means do not try to free or move anything with the operator lever or the leverage provided by the long arm can cause the pot metal casting to break.
The way the levers are positioned with the select tongue in the middle you may be able to remove the upper C clip and as long as the shift tube is polished, lubed and corrosion free a few inches above the lever slide the 2-3 lever and washer up to expose the corroded surface it normally rides on. That is about the best option while keeping everything in the car. If the lever has stuck so badly that two or three inch upward movement is not possible then about the only thing left is to remove the column and shift assy to drive the pin out of the tongue so it can slide toward the bottom and let you free and clean things on the bench.
If it has stuck as badly as the one in the photo it may take some brute force. As I recall, after the lower lever and tongue and the upper clip were removed I used a large crescent wrench with jaws adjusted to just slide over the tube. The jaws were able to rest on the top of the lever and with the bottom of the tube resting on a block of wood to prevent damage to the threads, I was able to use a hammer on the wrench body and jaws to force the lever down and off.
Once free put a light coat of grease on the affected parts and put things back together. In the future do a periodic few drops of oil in the hole on the side of the shift tube to take care of the internal rod and lower lever. A few more drops above the lever so you can get some to flow down and into the space between the lever and tube. Sometimes there is enough play you can insert a small thin screwdriver between the lever and washer at the upper end to pry them apart to provide a tiny space oil can more easily run behind the lever instead of hanging on the clip and washer.
Here are a few photos showing a casting break from trying to force things free, a thoroughly corroded tube probably very similar to how yours looks and the assy as it comes apart showing the shift tube clean and somewhat polished ready to go back together.
Attach file:
(126.38 KB)
(37.65 KB)
(35.59 KB)
(70.16 KB)
The way the levers are positioned with the select tongue in the middle you may be able to remove the upper C clip and as long as the shift tube is polished, lubed and corrosion free a few inches above the lever slide the 2-3 lever and washer up to expose the corroded surface it normally rides on. That is about the best option while keeping everything in the car. If the lever has stuck so badly that two or three inch upward movement is not possible then about the only thing left is to remove the column and shift assy to drive the pin out of the tongue so it can slide toward the bottom and let you free and clean things on the bench.
If it has stuck as badly as the one in the photo it may take some brute force. As I recall, after the lower lever and tongue and the upper clip were removed I used a large crescent wrench with jaws adjusted to just slide over the tube. The jaws were able to rest on the top of the lever and with the bottom of the tube resting on a block of wood to prevent damage to the threads, I was able to use a hammer on the wrench body and jaws to force the lever down and off.
Once free put a light coat of grease on the affected parts and put things back together. In the future do a periodic few drops of oil in the hole on the side of the shift tube to take care of the internal rod and lower lever. A few more drops above the lever so you can get some to flow down and into the space between the lever and tube. Sometimes there is enough play you can insert a small thin screwdriver between the lever and washer at the upper end to pry them apart to provide a tiny space oil can more easily run behind the lever instead of hanging on the clip and washer.
Here are a few photos showing a casting break from trying to force things free, a thoroughly corroded tube probably very similar to how yours looks and the assy as it comes apart showing the shift tube clean and somewhat polished ready to go back together.
Attach file:
(126.38 KB)
(37.65 KB)
(35.59 KB)
(70.16 KB)
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