Sloppy auto shifter

[DaneBisel]

I am trying to firm up the shifter in my 69 roadrunner. Console floor shifter wiggles more that it should from side to side. When it goes into gear it seems fine if pushing from front to back, just side to side is sloppy. Any ideas? Inothing looks obvious. Thank you

 

[mopar 3 B]

Have you checked the shift lever pin in the base of the gearshift unit?

 

[DaneBisel]

No I have not. I've never taken one of these apart. Limited knowledge

 

[soundhd]

First it will really help you a lot if you can get your self a shop manual for your car.....pretty much shows how everything goes together. I suggest make sure everything is tight,pins, bolts, rods, clips, etc.....it might be just worn out and have to get it rebuilt or a new one.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Loosen the alen set screw on the top knob of the shifter handle, turn the knob counter clock wise to remove, do not loose the spring under the push button. The counsel has 2 screws in the glove box floor 1 screw each side in front of the floor lamp. Be careful of wiring harness to lights and the plastic slider when removing the counsel. From there you should be able to see what the problem is.

 

[Adam Nathan]

Have you got the plastic strip that runs from front to back of the shifter? It's just a thin piece that moves back and forth with the shifter. I guess it's there to stop stuff falling down into the workings. Without that piece there your shifter will move from side to side.
Without it, it doesn't look evident that anything is missing it's only when you see the missing item that you realise what it does.

Plastic piece fits in the shifter slot.

 

[DaneBisel]

Thanks for the replies. I actually have the console out and have a new plastic insert that needs to be put in. I also have a manual and it doesn't cover a wiggling shifter! What causes the shifter to feel sloppy when in gear? Fells almost like it doesn't want to stay in gear? Everything on the car needed rebuilt and I have most of it done. Trying to determine if it is the tranny or the shifter. I'll play with it this weekend. Probably needs linkage adjustments at the tranny.