Knowing is half the battle

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword) 03/29/2017 at 12:55 • Filed to: Trans am, Wrenching, Shifter

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Figured out what was wrong with my shifter. I was right! ... sort of.

Ewww. Probably some of that is late seventies chest hair.

My gear lever was not holding in any particular gear. meaning while driving I could bump the lever with my arm and go straight from drive to reverse. Uh oh. anyway I figured the sear was likely not engaging to whatever tab it was supposed to go in. I figured something was worn, either the actual tabs or the sear.

What you are looking at is the main housing for the shifter. That split caused/is causing the larger back piece to generate spring-esque pressure and push outward, not engaging with the sear. Now, I can’t find this piece new. They make a similar piece for conversion to a 4 speed automatic:

But not a new piece for my car. Boo! But my dad does have brazing tools. Yay! The piece is also riveted in. Boo!

Ehh. At least I can actually fix this so I am pretty happy. What they do and do not make for these cars always surprises me.

I think I will figure out how the ratcheting function works AFTER I fix this lol.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > My bird IS the word 03/29/2017 at 12:58

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GM and their goddamn rivets!

My bird IS the word > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 03/29/2017 at 13:05

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This car has made it quite clear that it was never designed to last this long. The fact that it has is how damned simple it is.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > My bird IS the word 03/29/2017 at 13:06

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And I’ll bet Pontiac won’t return your calls.

My bird IS the word > Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer 03/29/2017 at 13:11

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I actually called a chevy dealer as a joke when I replaced my parking brake cable. The OER replacement did not come with a new nut, and it was an obscure size (9/16 fine pitch) that I couldn’t find at any local places in any sort of rust-resistant finish. I could also only order online in bulk. The chevy dealer told me their computer doesn’t even go back that far.

Moral of the story: OER sucks.

user314 > My bird IS the word 03/29/2017 at 14:09

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