Any years El Dorado rolling when in park

[Bpeterson]

I have a 1972 El Dorado Cadillac.  Sometimes when the car is in park the car rolls as if in neutral.  It does not do it all the time.  When it is in park and rolls it makes a clicking sound.  Anybody have any comments on this one?  Thanks!!

[V63]

The shifting linkage to your transmission has 'grommets' that decay and fall out, this adds undesirable play to the linkage, and the detents are no longer accurate. It is  NOT going fully into park detent as a result.

[TJ Hopland]

Yep its wear in the pivots in what I think they called the bell crank.  Its the mechanism that changes the shift linkage direction from the vertical off the steering column to horizontal to go to the transmission.  For what ever reason the slightly different geometry of the FWD Eldos seem to make them much more prone to wear than on the RWD cars.

You can see the crank assembly if you look down under the hood below the steering shaft and its reasonable to access from below.  There were at least 2 versions of the crank assembly that were interchangeable. Not sure if some failed back in the day and were replaced with what was the current style or if they just had 2 different vendors and used what ever was on the shelf that day.  Which style doesn't seem to matter, they both have the wear issues.

What wears is one of the bushings which are plastic on both styles.  Maybe someone else can find the threads where we give specifics and part numbers but years ago when I had the issue with mine I figured out you can buy a universal door hinge pin bushing assortment and then using normal tools like a dremel or even a file fit one of those into the bracket to make a lasting repair.  Several people have done it now and I got 10+ years on my repair now so it works.     

[TJ Hopland]

Here is one from not too long ago so the part numbers should still be good.
https://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=166454.20

[bcroe]

I am sooo glad they got the TH400 type trans in service
before they started building those front wheel drive
cars.  Bruce Roe

[Bpeterson]

Thanks guys for your replies!  Love my El Dorado!! And you guys help me keep it on the road!!

Here is what I found...not sure if they are for the right year 1972..... do you think these will work?

Tried to attach pictures but could not get it to work.

rock auto:

DORMAN 74039........OEM / Interchange Numbers: E0BZ7341B, E0BZ7431B
https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-5560-74039.aspx

DORMAN 74040......OEM / Interchange Numbers: E0SZ7341B, E0SZ7431B
https://www.dormanproducts.com/gsearch.aspx?type=keyword&origin=keyword&q=74040

DORMAN 74043.....OEM / Interchange Numbers: E0AZ7F330A
https://www.dormanproducts.com/gsearch.aspx?type=keyword&origin=keyword&q=74043

and on E bay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/232301398211?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&customid=41cb0885386417dbf1f76db06b5423bf

[Bpeterson]

The dorman parts will not work....for rear wheel drive. 

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I have a 1973 Eldorado and had the same issues.  Yes, the issue
is the plastic grommets that were used to put that linkage
together.  Forget the originals, if you find an NOS set they will
crumble to bits when you try to install them.  I know -- I tried that.
The shifter will not go into Park with the loose linkage.

Honest John (RIP) did have a good reproduction set (I believe the
set is 4-5 bushings IRRC).  They work perfectly.  Not sure who
may have them now.  Somebody possibly took over his business (??)

Good luck,
Mike

[Bpeterson]

Thanks Mike!  I could not find any parts via honest John (RIP), guessing no one took it over.  I will probably have to fabricate as Bruce and TJ did.  Does anyone know which of the 3 grommets is the most crucial?  I will start with that one.

And is there any adjustment under the steering column collar?

Thanks, Blake

[TJ Hopland]

Adjustment is made at the crank.  With the bad bushing the best you can do which is better than having it come out of park is to adjust it so it firmly goes into park but this will result in not being able to get into 1st and the indicator and back up lights being off. 

The adjustment under the dash is for the park/neutral switch which also does the backup light and parking brake release.

Its usually just one bushing that is shot.  Its the one on the side with the actual crank arm plate sort of thing.  Makes sense since its the side that is doing the work. Because its against the plate is why you don't have to have a perfect fit with the door bushing.  You put the flange between the bracket and arm so it holds the bushing in. 

The only thing about the door bushing repair that is different than if you could get the right parts is you have to clean up/resize the hole in the bracket to fit the new bushing.  Even if you could get a new production correct part putting it in a worn hole would not likely last very long.       

[Bpeterson]

Thanks TJ...appreciate all your help!!  I will work on it this weekend using your suggestions.