The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 3 speed column shift linkage box

I have a 58 Chevy 3204 1/2 ton with standard 3 speed on the column. Does anyone know where I can find an exploded view and info on the linkage box near the base of the steering column where the transmission shift rods connect? Something in my box is not hooked up correctly. The trans to steering column rods are connect. But when I move the shift lever at the steering wheel, the rod in the box rotates but the levers do not move.

Many years ago I had this box apart and thought I got it back together correctly but apparently did not. The truck has beens sitting in my garage for 10 years and I am just now getting back to work on it.

thanks,

bob

pics here might help, bottom of page and next page

Bill

Bill: Thanks for the pictures. They are a big help. How is the finger that engages the forks attached to rod coming down the steering column? Is there a roll pin or some other means of securing it?

Thanks,

bob

only one I have loose right now is full of black grease Bob, can't tell, if there's a pin the hole will be visible, but it may be a press fit with a flat on the shaft

Bill

i have one of these apart at home.. when i get off work i'll check it.

OK - i looked at this. the tab has no visible means of attachment to the shaft, ie no rollpin or set screw, etc, evident. it must be pressed on as i don't see a weld bead, either

pic: http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/tomctomc/shiftboxshaft.jpg

Thanks to all. My problem is that the gear shift lever moves in an arc of almost 180 deg. Additionally when it is moved between the 1/R and 2/3 gate of the H pattern the rod in the shifter box can be seen rotating and moving up and down but the levers connected to the trans. do not move.

that tab shown in my picture can get "outside" of the forks rather easily. then the shaft will move around as you describe when you move the column lever - but not move the shifter rods because it isnt engaged with the forks any longer. you have to disconnect the coupler to the shaft running up the steering column, then pull the shaft on the linkage box up and get the tab back in line with the forks. then reassemble. it is harder to describe this in words than it is to actually do. if there is no grease in the box it will be obvious. looking at Bill's (squeeze) pictures may clarify it for you as well.

Hi,
You might get a set of eyes to watch the control box (in the engine compartment) where the column levers control the levers to the tranny, to see if they are moving at all.
If they aren't, check the coupling under the steering wheel that connects the shift lever shaft to the shaft that goes to the control box.
Work the shift lever and see if one of the ends of the coupling is slipping.
Just my 2 cents worth of idea of something to look for...
Good luck!
Jerry

Does anyone know of an online 55-59 Assembly manual?
I do have a book and just scanned the page for this but problem is, I'm at work and the company filters prevent me from uploading the picture where you can view it.
I could send it via Email to you JB Bob or to anyone else who would like to post it for me.
Just PM
Jerry

there is no online assembly manual Jerry

Bob - do you have the box cover off when seeing movement? if the main rod into the box rotates and pulls up/down then the arms off the side should be moving as well, and if they are and the rods don't shift the trans then the clamps on them that the rods attach to are loose

if moving the shifter doesn't move those arms off the side, then the pawl is loose on the shaft [as you suggest], OR the forks are broken loose, OR the spring inside is broken, OR the internal parts are so worn the pawl can't grab the forks

you really need to have the top off the box and the grease cleaned out to see just what's what

Bill

Thanks to everyone for the comments. It has been more than 5 years since I had the shifter box open. I thought I put it back together correctly BUT who am I to be thinking?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

When we put the engine and trans in this past weekend I noticed the following:

1. When the shift lever is moved in the cab, the shift rod coming down the steering column moved up and down and rotates.

2. The levers to the trans do not move.

I have moved the truck to a storage locker about 150 miles away. It will be the middle of Dec until I can get back over there to check out everyone's suggestions. When I have done that I wll reply back with results.

Thanks to everyone.

Bob

PROBLEM SOLVED.

Thanks to all for input. I do not recall the name but someone hit the nail on the head with the thought about the shaft from the steering wheel was out of line with the forks. It was 180' off.

The tab on the end of the shaft appears to be a press fit.

As I see this item, there are 2 posssible causes of the problem I experienced:

1. Something breaks: tab, fork, spring, shaft.
2. 1st/Rev or 2nd/3rd arms get out of alignment and at the same time the shaft is either moved up into 1st/Rev position and rotated.

Problem no. 2 can be corrected with the shifter box either on or off the steering colum as follows:

First notice the machined notch at the end of the shaft. This notch is for proper alignment of the gear shif lever and shaft in the cab with the shorter shaft in the shifter box. If this machined notch is facing up and the 1st/Rev and 2nd/3rd arms are aligned and straight out to the side of the shifter box then the tab inside the shifter box is in the correct position and it should be engaged in the 2nd/3rd fork when the shaft is released. If the notch is down you have to first rotate the 2nd/3rd arm out of alignment with the 1st/Rev arm. Now rotate the shaft until it stops. This should position the tab next to the side of the fork. Now pull up on the shaft, as in trying to shift into 1st/Rev and gently rotate the shaft about 1/8 turn. To verifity, release the shaft and it should NOT move back more than 1/4". This positions the tab on the top of one of the fork tips. Now gently continue to rotate the shaft in the same direction and it should snap into the fork. To check for proper engagement hold the 2nd/3rd arm and try to rotate the shaft, it should not rotate. Finally, re-align the 2 arms and you are ready to re-install on the steering column. When doing this, keep the arms even and at a 90 angle to the shifter box (towards the center line of the truck). Be careful not to let the shaft rotate or linkage arms move significantly out of alignment when you are re-installing the shifter box on the steering column.

When connectiong the 2 shafts it is easiest with a helper in the cab. Move the shift lever only enough to alighn its shaft with the shaft of the shifter box. Be careful not to rotate the shifter box shaft.


If anyone wants some pictures e-mail me and I will send. Please put in the subject box 'Chevy 3 speed column shifter' My e-mail address is [email protected]


Thanks again to everyone and best wishes for 2012.

Bob

Glad to hear you got it resolved Bob.