The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Column Shift Stiff

My '61 Apache 10 has the original 3-speed with overdrive, and column shift. I've noticed lately that the column shift seems stiff in the Forward <-> Rearward axis. Shifting R <-> 1 and 2 <-> 3 seem 'normal'.

I haven't done any work to the truck that would have affected the shifting. The shop manual and supplement don't seem to cover relevant adjustments or troubleshooting. Is there a preferred method to lubricating the shifting mechanism?

Thanks!

-Kevin

I have a ‘65 that had the same problem. I sprayed PB Blaster through the area around the shift lever and it loosened right up. Be sure to hold a shop rag underneath your lever area to catch overflow and prevent it from staining your paint or seat cover.

You might also find a buddy to work the shift lever while you are in the engine bay looking to see how gummed up the shifting rods are at the steering column and at the trans. Is there a chance that a shifting rod is fouling with something? Or that the lube/grease at the shift collars has gummed things up?
If this is new behavior, I think it is easy to id and fix.

Sounds like the shift tube needs to disassembled, cleaned and relubed.

Based on everyone's suggestions, I shot some Aerokroil on the shifting rods and shift lever on the column. It really freed everything up, and seems to be shifting smoothly. It seems odd to me that this problem seemed to worsen lately...perhaps the arrival of cold weather cause the old grease to harden more.

This spring, I plan on disassembling the column, and clean and lube everything.

-Kevin

Good thing you got it lubed up and sliding. When I had my 70’C10 when I was 16, I broke the pivot ball on my column and was up the creek for a while. Young, broke, no knowledge of how to fix.

That was my concern too...that I'd end up breaking or bending something that's hard-to-find! I'm surprised that the shop manual doesn't cover this subject in any detail.

-Kevin

Who needs a shop manual?

If it doesn't move, oil the heck out of it.
If it does move, weld it back in place.

(Redneck shop manual reference.)

I’ve not had an opportunity to look over any 60-62 steering columns with a column shifter. If they are similar to the 63-66 columns, then my DIY might help with trouble shooting a problem.
My DIY has 4 sections.
DIY Steering Column Stuff

That is a great resource! I'll follow it this spring when I refresh my steering column. I'll note any differences in my '61 column for the group. Thanks for the link!

-Kevin