71 Eldorado shift linkage question

[bocco]

I am attempting to adjust the shift linkage on my Eldorado. It seems like the rod that connects the bell crank to the shift lever on the trans is to short. In order to get the shift indicator working correctly and the trans al the way in park I have to adjust right at the end of the rod. To close to the end I think.

Also when the transmission is in park the shift lever is almost straight up at 12:00 oclock position. Seems like it should be closer to 2:00.

Is there any other adjustment I'm not seeing? I wonder if that shift rod is the wrong one.

Thanks

Gary

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Not sure what is going on there, but the shift lever is pretty high when in Park, plus, if you are relying on the Shift Indicator Needle for position, then they can get bent easily if the dash and column is moved.

When in Park, my Shift Lever is at around 12.30 position.

The only way to adjust things is to first loosen the adjustment on the shift rod, and manually place the transmission in park, from underneath, then put the gear lever in park, and turn off the ignition switch, then lock up the rod adjusting nut.   Then adjust the indicator needle to Park.

Then, go through the shifting sequence, to ensure that the transmission is going through all the detents, right down to 1st gear, and that the reversing lights come on, when the ignition is on, and the lever is selecting Reverse Gear.

Bruce.

[TJ Hopland]

Issue that is especially common in the Eldos of the era is the linkage wears.  Specifically there is a crank assembly that changes the direction of the linkage from the vertical of the column to the horizontal to the transmission.  There ends up being too much slop in one of the shafts where it goes through the bracket.  There were different versions but none really seemed better than others.  Some had a metal bushing, some plastic, and others no bushing at all.   On mine I started out with a universal door hinge bushing kit and made it fit the bracket.  Took all the slop out of linkage so after that it always stayed in park, always started, always stays aligned in the indicator.