Shift rod removal - stuck

[Stovebolt6]

Hello, I have done a fair amount of searching and can't find an answer to this problem. In trying to remove the shift rod, I cant get it to come out of the bushing. I believe my rod has a pretty good bow in it and I cant get the rod to go more than and inch or two toward the front of the car. Either the bend in the rod or the crud trying to slide through the bushing is causing it to jam. I have flipped the shaft over so the cup faces down. i have pried and used other methods of persuasion. I am hesitant to go full gorilla for fear of bending the hanger. Anyone face this? any ideas?
Thank you,
Dan

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Try to get the snap ring on the bushing holding it in the mount in the tunnel. Unless you have short fingers, you should be able to do it, but it may not be easy. I've never tried it but could something tiny be squeezed in the shifter access hole to help you break the bushing and the shift rod loose. Once that is off you should be able to either pull the tube or push it to get the bushing out of the bracket but this is another way of getting in more trouble also.

I'm not sure of getting some lube down the tube into the bushing can be done but it might be worth a try. They bushing can wear in half or, if things sit a long time there could be rust or other things causing the bushing to "grab holed".

I have fought with once myself, but that was a long time ago.

Be careful not to bend the bushing mount as that can cause problems later on.

You did take the shift rod out of the connection to the trans didn't you.

Lee

[Stovebolt6]

Thank you for the insightful reply. I will try to get the clip off and go from there. Hoping to give it a try tonight. Will let you know how it goes.
Dan

[Ol'fogasaurus]

A thought if you have the cover over the connection of the shift rod to the trans, have you tried to gently slide the shift rod forward. That you can turn/rotate the connection mount on the shift rod down might be a good sign that maybe some sliding forward might work. Again, just be somewhat gentle doing the pushing as you don't want to bend or break off the bushing bracket.

The ability to rotate the rod from the rear side of the tunnel might be of some help also.

Good luck on this.

Lee

[Stovebolt6]

I removed the carpet and found this hole.

Someone pried in the hole and did this long ago...

I drilled a hole in the end of a 6' pipe. Put 6 loops of mechanics safety wire through the hole. I inserted the pipe through the access holes, looped the wire over the shift cup and pulled it like a slide hammer. I was convinced I was going to ruin the hangar. After three good pulls it came out...

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Good job! Miracles never stop happening!

Never seen anything like that done before... I wonder why.

Since the hole was forced in the tube was slightly deformed in the area. Even if the bushing did not come out, I think I would replace it anyway... just-in-case.

Lee