cable shifter woes: ball&socket thing pops off tranny (updated with pics)

[sho_bc]

so, where the shifter meets the tranny, there is a ball and socket type thing that keeps the shifter not-loose inside the car/lets you change gears. not very mechanical wording, but i just woke up. its happened before, and i'll take a photo in a little bit and post it up to show.

this is the 2nd time its popped off for no apparent reason (it only happens when my mum drives the car though....:type: ). is this fixable or not? or should i finally get around to installing the rod-shifter i have under my bed? or even fixable so that it won't happen again until i install the rod-shifter.

thanks!

http://www.alexlangley.com/IMG_2421.JPG
http://www.alexlangley.com/IMG_2422.JPG
http://www.alexlangley.com/IMG_2423.JPG

 

[sho_bc]

anyone?
i've put it back on, as can be seen in the last photo, but i'd like something that has a bit more guaruntee of not randomly coming off while driving.

 

[sho'd]

looks as thought the socket is worn out, now were to get such a part is beyond me, looks like the ball has worn out the rotator cuff, or whatever you wanna call it, i have seen these hook ups on many thinks, just not the same size, i will look around my garage for something similar, no garantee though. humm

 

[shopartsnw]

Alex,

It looks like it may be worn out. It looks like the Stimson bushing is still intact, but I need to come up with a design for the ball end.

Until you either decide to install the rodshifter or I figure out a fix, can you add a small zip tie or wire t hold the socket on the ball. If you drilled a hole in the bracket, could you fish a zip tie through so it would hold it but still allow movement?

Mike

 

[quikSHOilver]

check out this link...

CHECK THIS OUT... It may be your solution to cable shifting or convert to 91 up rod shifter...
http://www.shoclub.com/membersonly/moparclip.htm

 

[sho_bc]

CHECK THIS OUT... It may be your solution to cable shifting or convert to 91 up rod shifter...
http://www.shoclub.com/membersonly/moparclip.htm

duh.... i can't remember how many times i've seen that posted before over the years...
but THANK YOU! perfect temp fix until i get some other things here to install along with the rod shifter.

 

[jbspeednut]

Fellow SHO afficianados-
This web-site is amazing. I have had the same problem over the last couple weeks. Last week I drilled a hole in the bracket and double plastic tied the cable to the bracket. It worked for a week. This morning as I got of the interstate exit ramp on my way to work (Downtown), the plastic ties must have broke and all I could get (again) was 3rd and 4th gear. I should have searched this site sooner. I'm off to the nearest MOPAR dealership!

You guys are helping me keep my classic ('90 White) on the road. Availability of parts is getting to be a real problem for a daily driver with 187k. Thanks QuikSHOilver et.al.

Do any of you know a good Gen.1 engine rebuilder - preferrably in the Houston area? I don't have anything significantly wrong but before I invest some fairly sizeable $ in my car for an interior, I want to evaluate the engine. It runs fine but either leaks or burns 1 qt./800 miles. The front plug wells are leaking a little but I don't it is enough to cause the consumption I'm seeing.

Many Thanks!

 

[SmoknHondaOwnrs]

CHECK THIS OUT... It may be your solution to cable shifting or convert to 91 up rod shifter...
http://www.shoclub.com/membersonly/moparclip.htm

I dont see how that works....

The ball on the bottom of my shifter has a screw hole in it, and the plastic clip that goes around it has a screw going through it. I always thought it was stock...hmm

 

[sho_bc]

CHECK THIS OUT... It may be your solution to cable shifting or convert to 91 up rod shifter...
http://www.shoclub.com/membersonly/moparclip.htm

actually, reading that page again, i dont' think this is a solution to my problem.... my problem is at the transmission end, not the shifter end. *sigh*

 

[pdbrains]

This may help

I had a 1990 SHO with 240k on it and one the shift cables started falling off the trans. It looked like the ball had worn out because I never greased it. I fixed the problem by using a light weight spring that held it on. I think it was a throttle return spring, I clipped it onto the cable near the ball and on to another part of the trans. Never had a problem after that. It was a little bit of a rig job, but it worked.

 

[sho_bc]

i guess i could wire it together temporarily. but its started raining again... haha oh well. i've got my exhaust piping arriving next friday, so it won't be TOO much longer without the car.

 

[doclees]

Yep thats a ball and socket. It happens when you over stress it. I did it once going into reverse by pushing it hard right. I had previously read about it so I was able to pop in back in during the summer. It happened last month when my clutch was going so shifting was hard and stressed the joint. Knew it would happen again so that was the cue to have the clutch/tranny done. Either mum is abusive, doesn't work the clutch correctly or your clutch/tranny needs work. I do understand the sock can just wear out.

 

[sho_bc]

she isn't the least-abusive of drivers, but she doesnt' exactly beat on it. at least not anymore. haha she used to though. the only thing holding that socket on is the tension in the grease. very easy to take on/off. so, its sitting, and my exhaust arrives on friday.

 

[doclees]

I'm not sure if there is fix. Mine does snap in with a good squeeze. I think the answer is what shopartnw said or rod shifter.

 

[red89sho15]

lol mine did the same thing my fix was a couple zip ties ......yea i need to get it fixed but ill wait to buy a rod shifter

 

[GeneSHO]

she isn't the least-abusive of drivers, but she doesnt' exactly beat on it. at least not anymore. haha she used to though. the only thing holding that socket on is the tension in the grease. very easy to take on/off. so, its sitting, and my exhaust arrives on friday.

Hey Alex,

Let me know when all exhaust parts arrive and dust off that rod shifter that's under your bed. We're gonna put the rod-shifter to good use.
What's the excuse to your parents on the car when we work on it ?

 

[93rev2sev]

I have a better idea...I'll try to find a pic. I've always had rod shifters so I've never seen the setup...that first pic is great but is there someway to get a ruler or a US Quarter(size reference).

I'm thinking 1/4 or 1/8 scale remote control vehicle tie rod setups are the same.

 

[sho_bc]

Hey Alex,

Let me know when all exhaust parts arrive and dust off that rod shifter that's under your bed. We're gonna put the rod-shifter to good use.
What's the excuse to your parents on the car when we work on it ?

haha! they know why its needing to be worked on... its the sound that it'll make when everything is done that i'll have to explain.
oddly enough though, once its finished, i'll be leaving it mostly parked for a while. I've picked up a "beater" to drive around town in.

 

[93rev2sev]

OK Here's what you want only a little bigger...this is from a 1/10 scale...I'm sure something like this is made for 1/8 and 1/4 scale too...but since I have no idea how big the "ball end" on the SHO is, I can't give you a more accurate picture. This is from www.TowerHobbies.com