308 Shift linkage Bushing R&R

Today I replaced my rearward shift linkage bushing. I have a buddy who is friends with a super nice guy who has a 4post lift. He let me use it today to get the GT4 up in the air so i could easily remove/replace the stock Silent Bloc bushing with an Unobtanium Supply Delrin Shift Linkage Bushing. (Thanks Verell!!!!) Procedure is VERY simple.

Get the car up in the air
Remove nut/bolt that goes through the bushing
Use Verell's removal tool (or make your own) to remove the bushing
Reverse the set up on the tool to press the Delrin Bushing back in
Replace the nut/bolt combo
VOILA, you're done!
(See pics)

I replaced this in hopes that it would solve my intermittent 5th gear issue. I have a problem when going to 5th where the shifter sometimes goes in smooth as silk and other times feels like its being blocked out. While the bushing was severely worn/rotted, it only helped a little bit. I now think that I have a mis-aligned fork. I had my buddy run through the gears and when he engaged 4th/5th, the sound was VERY noticablly different. The shifter meets slight resistance while going into gear while off, but the sound is very different from R-1-2-3. So, I *may* have a mis-aligned fork/selector. I'm going to have to figure out how to handle this one and need to get it fixed quickly because I can't keep driving this and bumping (grinding) the gear occasionally when it doesn't want to engage. I'll post that in a separate thread.
Anyway, I hope this helps the next guy who does this project. It's VERY simple to do. (even a Caveman could do it!)

JIM
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Jim,
You're welcome!

It's interesting that your problem is only 5th as 4th & 5th are selected by the same forks. Altho, so are Reverse & 1st & a shift fork alignment issue often causes a problem with reverse & not 1st.

To fix this type of problem you have to pull the tranny sump cover. The actual mechanism inside the tranny is extremely simple, but hard to describe.

Have someone shift while you watch what the shift forks are doing. Once you see the mechanism in motion it's action is very obvious. Usually the combination of motion & sound will make the problem pretty obvious. I'd start by observing what the fork on the end of the shift shaft does as it's the most likely problem & a simple shift shaft adjustment will take care of it.

It's a straightforward project, altho the oil dripping from the tranny makes it a messy one. Best to wear protective eye gear, at least glasses, as a drop of tranny oil in the eye is no fun.

 

Verell,

Though my 1-5 shifting is fine when hot, one problem I do have is 1-R. If I do it too fast (while rolling) it stays in 1st (forward). Is that a fork/bushing issue?

I still plan to install your bushings on my car too. I also need to change out my trans fluid soon. If I drain the sump and then drop the pan, how long do you think it will take to stop the dripping (over night, a few days)?

I really wish there was a way to replace 1-2 synchro without a total trans removal & dissassembly. During the trans sump exposure, what else can I look for as a remedy to help reduce the typical (cold) hard 1-2 shifting problem?

Bob R.