Shift lever pops out of Reverse & 2nd Gear

Unknown

1949 Hudson Commodore with 3 speed manual w/OD - gear shift works smoothly in all gears. Gear shift lever will pop out of gear when in Reverse or in 2nd Gear when you let up on the gas ( remove the load ). Is this an adjustment? If so, where can I get adjustment instructions?



It is hard to shift into Reverse when car is in OD - I understand this is normal. Any inputs on this?



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

bobbydamit

sounds like it is not coming out of OD.Try removing the OD fuse on the firewall and leave OD engaged and see if it happens.

[Deleted User]

did you adjust shift cable on steering column, engine side of fire wall? it slides up and down

bobbydamit

frankmn wrote:

did you adjust shift cable on steering column, engine side of fire wall? it slides up and down

I think all that is for is the moving between the first/reverse space to the second/third space, when you lift the shifter arm up in neutral. The poping out is from something else like not in gear all the way due to sloppy shifter linkage or gromets, or the O.D. sticking on, in the first and reverse position. The lash slap, when you let up on it, lets it pop out. Fun stuff these lever/cable shifters. When they work they are great, when they do not, they suck.

[Deleted User]

i kinda thought thats was for 1st and reverse but wasn't sure

Park_W

Gary, it sounds like the shift rails aren't moving into 2d or reverse quite far enough to engage the detent that's supposed to hold it there. That suggests the solid link isn't adjusted correctly (needs to be shortened), is hitting something before it can move far enough, or the grommets are worn to where the tranny shift lever isn't being moved quite far enough. You might try this test ... disconnect the shift link at the tranny, then push the shift lever forward until you feel it definitely click into the detent. Now see if the shift link end will move far enough to easily slip over the pin on the shift lever. Or, you could, with the lever pushed forward into 2d, just temporarily tie the link rod up out of the way and take a short drive in 2d gear, to see if the problem is gone (but don't stop someplace where you have to back up!).

bobbydamit

Park W wrote:

Gary, it sounds like the shift rails aren't moving into 2d or reverse quite far enough to engage the detent that's supposed to hold it there. That suggests the solid link isn't adjusted correctly (needs to be shortened) or is hitting something before it can move far enough. You might try this test ... disconnect the shift link at the tranny, then push the shift lever forward until you feel it definitely click into the detent. Now see if the shift link end will move far enough to easily slip over the pin on the shift lever. Or, you could, with the lever pushed forward into 2d, just temporarily tie the link rod up out of the way and take a short drive in 2d gear, to see if the problem is gone (but don't stop someplace where you have to back up!).

Hey Park, how about this one?? Thanks Bobby

I know this has been on a gazillion times but I took out the column and need to start over fresh when I install it again. It never shifted real smooth from the first and reverse position to the second and third position. So I need the single lever/cable instructions. I know of the cable setting on the column under the hood, and the neutral setting on the column but somewhere there was a total start to finish setting instructions and I lost it.

Thanks, Bobby

Unknown

Remember to shut off the O.D. before shifting to reverse?never heard that mentioned before, but in the owners manual.

Park_W

The only reason you'd need to "shut off" the OD before going into reverse would be if the governor were faulty or the wire leading to it were grounded against the frame somewhere. Even then the Reverse Lockout switch on the L&R shift rail would, in most cases, disengage the OD when you shifted into reverse. That's what it's for.

Unknown

Thanks to all for the excellent response and suggestions. I am going to try the test recommended by Park W. 1st. Will also follow the suggestions of Hudson 308.



As far as he OD - I forgot to mention that I have had problems with the unit that allows the OD to engage at 23 mph, so I put in a bypass with a switch to activate the OD. The transmission lever definitely is harder to shift into Reverse when the OD is activated. When I switch it off manually, the shift lever then engages Reverse much easier.



I really appreciate the volume and quality of the replies to my questions



BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

[Deleted User]

I had this same problem on 1948 comm. three things were found . There

is a bellcrank that the linkage goes to from the steering col. its bushing

was worn out causing lost motion. And on the lever at the steering col.

there were two holes moving to the end hole lengthed the throw, this is the only hudson I ever saw with that second hole. Now for what turned out to

be the major problem, one of the previous replies spoke of the shift rail and

the detent that holds it in place . this has a ball that falls into place by

preasure from a small coil spring- mine had broken off and was to short.

You wont find it on a parts breakdown but to fid it just pull off the top

cover of the gear box and it should be in about a quarter inch hole on the left

side.

hope this helps

Geoff

It is easier to shift into reverse by pulling the o/d control out, as if you don't, the shift mechanism has to do the disengaging of the o/d, which loads up the linkages just that bit more. If you have a manual o/d switch and the solenoid is engaged you won't be able to shift into reverse at all. My Hornet is r.h.d., and the extra length and weight of the linkages going across the back of the engine makes it quite clumky at the best of times.

Geoff.