Archived transmission stuck in fifth

[bmwcushman]

My truck is stuck in fifth (I assume) gear. Seems like it somehow went in gear as I was trying to get it into reverse. . I have to open the top I assume. . What do I look for that is probably excessively worn. . Are the worn parts on the top removeable case or am I looking at transmission removal with an overhaul?? It has been a little difficult to get into rev-often I'd go up to fifth-then down. Somebody explain what's going on with this thing?

 

[moparguy]

With the shifter out so you can see the gates that the shifter moves, use a big big screw driver, or bumper jack handle, or something like that to man handle the gates back to nuetral positions. They will be lined up left to right. You'll see what I mean when you get the shifter out.



To remove the shifter, first remove the boots then just push down and kinda pull up. I made a tool to help compress the retaining assembly that must come off after you remove the shifter. It has a spring in it that is hard as heck to compress when removing and reassembling things. The tool is a 1" or 1/14" piece of pipe about 1' long. I used a hammer to kinda flatten one end a bit so it could compress things allowing the locking collar to be turned while I pushed down on the pipe, compressing the spring.



You'll see what I'm talking about when you open things up.



Good luck, RJR

 

[bmwcushman]

Hey, thanks. I assume this is something that can be done after removing the cupholders etc. Assuming the shifter knob thingy is worn, can I weld on some material and regrind or are we talking real precision here. If this transmission did it once, it'll probably do it again if I don't redo something anyway, won't it? Is the worn part a readily available part? Should I just remove the transmission and fix it right with a full spline shaft and a good clutch as the bombing has begun-see profile for what's on it's way. .

 

[bmwcushman]

I'm here to answer my own question--I removed the 4 bolts holding the shifter mech on. Somebody had been in there before and put a 1/4" too short of a bolt in there at forward right. So it and the other one on the right were stripped so the shift tower could rock on top of transmission. Explains the oil running down the side of the transmission, too. I drilled the two holes out all the way into the transmission and tapped 'em out, then they got long bolts... Could see no sign of wear on any shifting mechanism whatsoever. . Hopefully OK. . Truck, wife, and me all happy now... Dodged a bullet there. .