Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hello Packard people, I have a question. I had a clutch done on my 120 coupe. the job was completed and found out that the place that did the repair wasn't competent enough. My problem is now shifting from 2nd to 1st coming to a stop, the shifter locks up. I didn't have the problem before the clutch job, and I know that the clutch itself won't cause that problem, What could have these guys have done to create this problem or is there just something else just worn out. I appreciate any info !!

Quote:

Could you describe "the shifter locks up"?
Is it that it just grinds as you try to push it into 1st and won't go, as if the shifter is physically blocked from moving to 1st, or something else?
There is no synchro on first gear so a shift from 2nd to 1st would always be more difficult than other shifts and likely to grind.
Have you tried to double clutch the shift and synchronize the shift yourself?

You absolutely cannot shift from second to first on those transmissions when the car is in motion. Very angry noises happen.

If you're having trouble shifting when the car is stopped, then it has to be a linkage issue. Either its miss adjusted, bent, slop, or lack of lubrication.

The column shift cars are far more complicated mechanism vs the earlier cane (floor) shift cars.

The clutch may be dragging slightly. An adjustment may correct the problem. You can shift to first at low speeds without clashing gears, but you have to use the clutch and throttle to synchronize the gears, and there really is no need to shift to low before the car comes to a complete stop. As the new clutch wears in, the "free pedal" will diminish some, and some mechanics adjust the clutch linkage to allow for this. How much to allow is a judgement call, and a re-adjustment may be in order. Of course, as mentioned above, the shift linkage needs to the properly lubricated and adjusted.

Try this: Have the car warmed up and siting still with the engine idling in neutral, and try pushing the clutch pedal to the floor, then shift to reverse. If the gears clash, you may have a dragging clutch. Adjustment may correct it.

And in addition to checking the clutch and linkage per other's suggestions also use this service article guide to check the linkage at the wear points and also take the time to lube the upper lever. No provision is made for any oil to be applied or reach the space between the lever and tube and it is subject to dirt and moisture condensing on the tube and running down to work its way into the space between the lever and tube. The upper lever moves the linkage for the 2 and 3 shift and if it binds it will try to move when you have selected the lower lever for the shift into first or reverse. This wanting to bind can build up and then a bind or seizing can happen suddenly. The levers must be free and rotate independently. If a sticking lever causes linkage for both gears to move at the same time it can cause the interlock in the transmission to prevent one of the gears from being selected.

The key point to look for is that when the car is in neutral the two shift levers on the column must be in perfect alignment. As you can see in Howard's post, there is even a hole bored through both levers where one can insert a 3/16" drill bit to check that they are in line.

Check for excess play at the rod ends and correct, then adjust one of the turnbuckles on the shifter rods to achieve this.

Likely during the clutch job the motor mounts ended up in a slightly different position throwing off this adjustment. Sorry, you can hardly expect a shop to know this 84 years later.

Lots of good information and thank you for sharing