Sloppy automatic shifter lever on 86 C20..

goatman · 02-04-2009, 03:06 PM

Hi again, i have another question for all you experts on here. I have a 86 C20 pickup with an automatic transmission with a column mounted shift lever. The problem is the lever is very sloppy or loose. It goes in every gear just fine but it goes in gear without me having to pull the lever towards me first. I can go from park to reverse or any gear for that matter by just dropping the lever. It's so bad that im scared to leave it running in park knowing it could drop into reverse by itself. Can anyone tell me how to fix this problem...are there cams inside the steering column that wear out and need to be replaced every so often. Any help would be appreciated.

batty1214 · 02-04-2009, 03:08 PM

I think that on the 86 there was a spring that held the stick back into its position until you pulled on it...... but Im not sure I know that is the way some of the older trucks were

goatman · 02-04-2009, 03:34 PM

Hey, thanks for responding so fast. Can you tell me how to gain access to that spring.

batty1214 · 02-04-2009, 05:42 PM

uh..... I really don't, without having done it..... all I have done in a steering column of that year is take it out, to swap one from a manual trans truck in..... but don't worry, that info will come soon enough

goatman · 02-09-2009, 09:26 AM

Heys guys, im still needing help with my sloppy lever problem. I can't believe that nobody on here has never had this problem with a column shift lever.

mudseeker · 02-09-2009, 10:27 AM

sloppy how? it could just need a cable adjustment down at the trans.

Grapejuice1998 · 02-09-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatman

Heys guys, im still needing help with my sloppy lever problem. I can't believe that nobody on here has never had this problem with a column shift lever.

Get under the truck and look at where the shifter linkage engages the transmission shift lever. The linkage is basically a piece of round metal dowel. The shift lever has a slot in it that the bent piece of round metal fits into. There should be a bushing on the round bar, so that the slack will be taken up. If you find the right size of rubber hose, you might be able to slip it over the round bar and then push it into the shift lever slot. I believe it has a washer and cotter pin to hold it all together.

Kennyray · 02-09-2009, 06:11 PM

The collar on the column may be worn where the pin for the shift lever goes also.the only real repair for that would be to replace the collar. it would be easier to mount in a floor shifter

goatman · 02-10-2009, 05:43 PM

The linkage seems fine on it. The problem is with the column lever. After i start the truck im supposed to be able to pull the lever towards me in order to put it in gear but the lever just drops straight down almost by it's own weight. Im scared to leave it running anytime i leave the truck fearing it could drop into reverese on it's own. I hope i explained it well enough. Thanks in advance for all the input from everyone

leolkfrm · 02-10-2009, 05:57 PM

I think ken has the answer, maybe someone has a pic they can post showing the parts

02-04-2009, 03:06 PM	#1
goatman Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: nw georgia.....Euharlee Posts: 32	Sloppy automatic shifter lever on 86 C20.. Hi again, i have another question for all you experts on here. I have a 86 C20 pickup with an automatic transmission with a column mounted shift lever. The problem is the lever is very sloppy or loose. It goes in every gear just fine but it goes in gear without me having to pull the lever towards me first. I can go from park to reverse or any gear for that matter by just dropping the lever. It's so bad that im scared to leave it running in park knowing it could drop into reverse by itself. Can anyone tell me how to fix this problem...are there cams inside the steering column that wear out and need to be replaced every so often. Any help would be appreciated.

02-09-2009, 10:27 AM	#6
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,374	sloppy how? it could just need a cable adjustment down at the trans. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

02-10-2009, 05:57 PM	#10
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,300	I think ken has the answer, maybe someone has a pic they can post showing the parts __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

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02-04-2009, 03:08 PM	#2
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,135	I think that on the 86 there was a spring that held the stick back into its position until you pulled on it...... but Im not sure I know that is the way some of the older trucks were

02-04-2009, 03:34 PM	#3
goatman Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: nw georgia.....Euharlee Posts: 32	Hey, thanks for responding so fast. Can you tell me how to gain access to that spring.

02-04-2009, 05:42 PM	#4
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,135	uh..... I really don't, without having done it..... all I have done in a steering column of that year is take it out, to swap one from a manual trans truck in..... but don't worry, that info will come soon enough

02-09-2009, 09:26 AM	#5
goatman Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: nw georgia.....Euharlee Posts: 32	Heys guys, im still needing help with my sloppy lever problem. I can't believe that nobody on here has never had this problem with a column shift lever.

02-09-2009, 06:11 PM	#8
Kennyray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 648	The collar on the column may be worn where the pin for the shift lever goes also.the only real repair for that would be to replace the collar. it would be easier to mount in a floor shifter

02-10-2009, 05:43 PM	#9
goatman Full Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: nw georgia.....Euharlee Posts: 32	The linkage seems fine on it. The problem is with the column lever. After i start the truck im supposed to be able to pull the lever towards me in order to put it in gear but the lever just drops straight down almost by it's own weight. Im scared to leave it running anytime i leave the truck fearing it could drop into reverese on it's own. I hope i explained it well enough. Thanks in advance for all the input from everyone