Car won't shift into 5th or I just can't find it...

[eagle-co94]

I have driven the car several times in the last month and after not driving it for a week or two I noticed that the shifter was quite stiff. I removed the shifter bezel and gave everything a nice spray of white lithium grease to hopefully get things moving but I think I need something more like a penetrant. The shifter moves much more freely, but not as well as I remember of the last few drives.

I have no trouble finding reverse 1st or 2nd, but I seem to have to push the lever a little to the right to get it into 3rd now. Once in 3rd it has no trouble finding 4th.

Any ideas? My first thought is that maybe I've developed some slack in the cross gate cable. I'm about to put the car up on ramps and take a look from underneath. Any experience/advice would be appreciated.

[DMCMW Dave]

maybe I've developed some slack in the cross gate cable.

Or rust. Check the cable where it goes through the hole in the frame. Sometimes they will wear through there and either rust or otherwise bind at that point.

[eagle-co94]

I think it might be rust in the cable. I noticed the cable was worn through the sleeve and rubbing the side in the hole it passes through by the tranny so I rotated he rubber sleeve until I could slide it forward to cover that spot. Looks I'll pull it back and spray some PB blaster in there to see if that gets it moving. I'm supposed to drive to Orlando tomorrow and back and I won't want to do it without 5th gear...even with these tall tires.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/eagle-co94/For%20Sale/20140117_173958_zpse1611dd7.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/eagle-co94/media/For%20Sale/20140117_173958_zpse1611dd7.jpg.html)
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/eagle-co94/For%20Sale/20140117_174112_zps4d365dab.jpg (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/eagle-co94/media/For%20Sale/20140117_174112_zps4d365dab.jpg.html)

[DMCMW Dave]

That looks like a pretty clean car. The best test for this is disconnect the cable at the trans (a hitch pin and pin) and then move the shifter side to side. If it's still stiff it's the cable. If it offers no resistance, you have an internal trans issue (or the rotating linkage ON the transmission).

[eagle-co94]

Just got back from a test drive and it's still the same. I forgot to mention before that it also felt like I was hitting a gate between 1st and 3rd which is what led me to the cable. I'll put it back up on ramps and report back...

[eagle-co94]

Okay, good news (though it's actually bad news): after disconnecting the cable there was no change in the force of the shifter. Looks like I just need to hijack the cable off of 1045 and I'll be back in business...for the most part. :woot: Looks like I'll just won't be pushing hard for the trip to/from Orlando with no 5th gear. 275/60's will help me out a little with the rpm's atleast.

[Henrik]

As long as you're not hi-jacking parts tranny parts that are coming my way. :) On that subject - when are they coming my way?

[eagle-co94]

Nope, not hijacking anything. I planned to get everything out again today but I woke up to pouring rain and it's currently pouring out right now so I'm not getting anything accomplished outside. :(