Update: Transmission linkage bushing source?

Posted by Mark Buckley On 2011/6/1 16:34:19

Hi, All,

Ever since I bought my 1950 Packard in 2004 I've had trouble with the shifting mechanism. When using engine braking while going downhill in 2nd gear the car would suddenly pop into neutral. My solution to this was very high tech: hold on to the shift lever!

A couple of years later the car started getting stuck in neutral while I was shifting from first to second or first to reverse. This was always a nuisance and was sometimes a dangerous nuisance if it happened in traffic.

Over time the situation worsened and I decided to have it fixed. Doing some research I read that I needed to replace the "First and Reverse Shaft Lever," (part 360417) the "Second and Direct Shaft Lever," (part 360419) and the bushing that fits between the two (part unknown to me). I bought these parts from Max Merritt and had them installed. Sadly, nothing changed.

My mechanic told me the problem was the linkages and bushings these shaft levers connected to. He reported they were just plain worn out. I tried to locate a linkage kit but could not find anything like that.

I posted the question above in this forum and Howard very graciously did a little research for me. Thanks, Howard! Turned out Packards1 had four of the 360432 bushings @ $15.00 ea. Not cheap, but a damn sight better than the alternative, which was to machine new bushings by guess and by gosh. I was seeking a total of 29 parts and ended up finding only four. I hoped they alone would be enough to solve my problem.

I gave these four little bushings to my mechanic and he installed them. He also fabricated a rubber bushing for the transmission housing. Bottom line: problem solved! The car has never shifted so smoothly and it never gets stuck in neutral. It also stays in gear when I'm going down steep hills.

This has been the first time I've been so unsuccessful when looking for parts for my car (I'd call 4 out of 29 a pretty low ratio). Apparently the good sets of these linkages are all gone. This makes me a little sad for the future of my Packard, but it's not going to stop me from driving it!

All the best,

Mark