Adjusting the Shift Linkage

[Baskinator]

I've tried adjusting the shift linkage in my Eagle multiple times and I still haven't been successful in getting it to lock in each gear correctly. I can get by for the most part, but Drive puts it in 2nd and it won't lock the wheels in Park.

The adjusting screw at the linkage won't move any further down because it's reached the curve in the line, so I can't move the arm any further forward into park. Am I missing something? Is the wagon linkage different than the SX/4? I did change my shifter assembly, but I thought the linkages looked like the same lengths.

[greymarooneightytwo]

I've got a very similar problem! Mine wont go into park, and first gear is about 3/4" from the end of the "channel" that the shifter goes into.

I haven't tried to adjust it yet, I just haven't gotten around to it.

I haven't changed my linkage assembly, and I have the wagon. I suppose I'll dig into it this weekend and see if I'm also at the end of the "curve in the line". I hope not, I'll get back to you on that...

Sorry I can't be of much help.

[Baskinator]

No problem, I'm pretty sure this is just one of those frustrating things most of us face at one point or another. I'd convert it to a cable setup, but that's a lot more time and money that I don't have at the moment. I'm going to check out my old linkage today and see if it's the same, then who knows...

[BenM]

Dead engine mounts make them very hard to adjust. It will make the part of the lever below the floor appear "shorter" and reduce the range. The drivetrain has to be tucked in as high as possible.

[eagle87]

ive had this problem, and it turned out to be the short thin metal tab from the shifter lever to linkage rod was bent, even a slight bend combined with leverage can mess it up, you simply bend it while the car is on stands and have someone move the shifter untill the trans locks in park

[Baskinator]

I'll try this tomorrow, I think I understand what you mean. It's dang cold out, and I'm gonna get it into the garage to work on a bunch before going back to school. Hopefully I can get this solved, then I won't have to rely so heavily on flat surfaces and my poorly adjusted parking brake.

I had unfortunately taken a couple long trips in only 2nd gear without realizing right away that this was the problem. It just started going to 2nd in D out of the blue, was at least getting everything other than P correct before then. At first I thought my engine was really losing compression or something! Hope I didn't do any severe damage... been driving ok for a couple weeks since diagnosing this.

[greymarooneightytwo]

Consider yourself lucky.

A week after my shift linkage became misaligned (or whatever), my parking brake failed completely...

I've been chalking tires for a month solid!

 

[Baskinator]

  I just find it scary when I park the car and it starts rolling away as I get out lol, but luckily I've been well aware of my car's kinks.

Poor parking brake, no park lock, no NSS, hard starting, carb dies occasionally just after startup, body clunks, the whole shebang haha, but I still love the thing. Just more excuses not to let anybody else drive it!

[Baskinator]

Thanks for the tip eagle87! It took about 30 seconds to bend down the metal arm from the trans and everything was perfect. Now it goes in all gears, locks in park, and the handle even moves more smoothly. Eggs!

I must have bent it up slightly when putting the new bushing in a year or so ago, that was a huge pain.

[greymarooneightytwo]

I agree with the whole "excuses to not let people drive it" thing...

I once owned a car I won't name, out of shame... that I let someone use to "go to the corner store".

It showed back up on a flat bed three hours later, totaled and smelling of clutch and rubber.

I abandoned hope, sold it as a parts car, and moved on with life.

Shortly there after I discovered there were only 2200 manufactured during that production year....

Regardless of all that though, I'm glad you got that all sorted out. I hope it's as easy for me!

Thanks for the tip eagle87, I'll check that out tomorrow.

[eagle87]

Thanks for the tip eagle87! It took about 30 seconds to bend down the metal arm from the trans and everything was perfect. Now it goes in all gears, locks in park, and the handle even moves more smoothly. Eggs!

I must have bent it up slightly when putting the new bushing in a year or so ago, that was a huge pain.

no problem, atleast yours being out of adjustment didnt do any harm, i found out about this problem when i had to do the ring gear in my dads car, and the mechanic helping me banged the tranny around and ended up bending the linkage unknowingly, when we went to start the car it wouldnt start in any gear position, the mechanic started it be jumping the solenoid while in "neutral" the car started to move forward, so be instinct i put it in park, which unfortunately was now reverse and the car banged into and bent the garage door, the car was undamaged but the 3 panels on the door cost $1000!!, my other eagle had this issue after being tboned at the rear axle fortunately it was an easy fix!