Problem:
Ok so months ago the roll pin that connects the shift lever to the post coming out of the transmission broke.


What I've done:
1) I replaced it with slotted roll pins from auto store and it lasted a day
2) Ordered Spiraled roll pins from Mcmaster Carr... Lasted a week
3) Went to a specialty shop to get Aircraft grade bolt (125ksi tensile strength) about a week in it bends and creates ~3 inches of play in the shifter. I've yet to brake a bolt but the play is unbearable!

Note) All of these time frames have been reproduced several times (ive gone through ~5 of each), and all without a single hard pull, just normal everyday driving. Seriously, i drive it like my girlfriend drives her Lincoln Towncar. If i do make a spirited pull then the sloted pins brake instantly, spiraled pins brake in 3 pulls, and the bolt bends to 3" of play in 1-2 pulls.



What I'm asking the community:
Im pretty much convinced that the pins shouldn't be bending/braking like they are so im assuming there is something else wrong that is causing the pins to brake in the first place. So do you guys have any idea what could be causing the excess stress?

 

Bump

 

That's rough man, sorry i don't have much to try to help. free 10 minute interval bump tho. Good luck.

 

Do you have a short shifter? Have you tried adjusting the linkage to reduce the possibility of pulling too far on the cable? Just ideas. And have you tried getting a solid taper pin?

 

Adjust your cable clamps under the shifter. I've been running a cheap single rolled sears hardware pin for a year and it is still perfect

 

Yeah this is what I was thinking, if they are not set right you might be putting stress on the pin instead of the shifter (the shifter can take it)

 

Sorry for the late response, I have tried but to be honest I can only guess where to set the clips. How do I set them? Is there a tutorial/how-to I'm missing on here?

 

Look for the twm short shifter install instructions, it shows you how to adjust the linkages. There also may be a guide on youtube

 

Will do thank you.

 

alright, so same issues here.

first i noticed the stud on the firewall that supports the cable support clip was broke off and i would contantly miss gears

also the shifter housing itself has a spring that gets loose and sloppy

my

 

It's worth checking the shift cable holder on the transmission, I sheered off one of the bolts at one point. Seems GM didn't put the bolts all the way tight, one of them jumped out and the other was loose and sheered clean off.

 

Shift cable holder on transmission? Is that the brass lever with a counter balance weight?

 

No, it's black and attaches the shifter sleeves to the transmission. One of these guys.

 

Found how to set the cables on YouTube. When I get some time this weekend I'll replace the pin and check that bracket.