Column shifter too loosey - how to tighten?

[gdizzle]

66 dart, slant, with the 904 auto, column shifter. The shifter is very loose and wobbly. Pull back and shift works, but very easy to shift to wrong gear. Lots of play. And I am tall and afraid that my knee is going to accidentally hit the shifter while I am cruisin.
I figured this was all normal. But yesterday I just test drove a 71 Duster with the same setup, and the column shifter was tight, no play and solid.
So how do I shore mine up? What points in the linkage require tightfits, and are there parts I need to replace? The "play" seems to begin after the linkage that comes off the column down toward the tranny. Be advised, I have the super six set up installed, so there is that long unruly kick down rod going down there too, but I dont think that makes much difference to my column shifter.? help a slanted brother out. I am so jealous of that 71 Duster. I almost bought it just for that.

 

[Bills70]

66 dart, slant, with the 904 auto, column shifter. The shifter is very loose and wobbly. Pull back and shift works, but very easy to shift to wrong gear. Lots of play. And I am tall and afraid that my knee is going to accidentally hit the shifter while I am cruisin.
I figured this was all normal. But yesterday I just test drove a 71 Duster with the same setup, and the column shifter was tight, no play and solid.
So how do I shore mine up? What points in the linkage require tightfits, and are there parts I need to replace? The "play" seems to begin after the linkage that comes off the column down toward the tranny. Be advised, I have the super six set up installed, so there is that long unruly kick down rod going down there too, but I dont think that makes much difference to my column shifter.? help a slanted brother out. I am so jealous of that 71 Duster. I almost bought it just for that.

I would start with checking your bushing and the rod ends for wear! if they are not worn you can make thin washers (.010/.020) to go between clip and linkage arm. New bushings can be bought at "PARTS MIX"

 

[Cuda Al]

There are basically two things that could cause the shifter to be loose.
1. The bushing at the base of the column, the shift tube rides in this
(Pictures are of a 69 C-Body but the layout is the same)

2. The shifter spring, this is the one that holds the lever in gear. There is also a wave washer but I doubt that would add any play is it was worn or missing.

Alan

 

[Murray]

Have someone sit in the drivers seat and move the shifter in it's free play. You go under the hood and see where all the free play is coming from.

 

[jas0162]

I had trouble with my road runner years ago, it ended up being the fit between the housing the lever goes into and the tube in the column. If I remember right the aluminum housing was worn and needed replaced