555 won't shift....wtf?

[yogurtslinger]

Ok, long story made short, I bought back my glht off of Saw wave analog and it won't shift into *any* gear. The cable that actually puts it in gear has no tension on it at all, as if the cable were broken or popped off the shift arm on the tranny... Well, the cables were still on the shift arm and moved with the arm as it should.. But like I said the cable that actually puts it in gear feels like its free moving(the whole arm moves freely left to right), I'm not a tranny guru so I was wondering if there is a quick fix and if this is a common prob. I haven't taken off the top cover as of yet so I can't tell you if anything is physically broken. Any help or recommendations would be appreciated.
hhhmmmmm.....I do have that 523 still laying in the corner..

[yogurtslinger]

this is what I'm talking about. The shifter cables are still attached, unbroken, the shifter moves the cables which move the arm but, the arm feels like its moving freely...not shifting.

[supercrackerbox]

Sounds like one of a few possibilities.

1. The cables are not tightened to the shifter

2. The cables aren't fully seated on the tranny joints. They can look and even feel like they're tight, but still move when shifting.

3. The bracket isn't secured to the tranny, allowing everything to move around from the shifter

[yogurtslinger]

it is most likey #3, I've watched the cables on both ends and everything is attached and moving as it should. Looks like I'll be tearing into the tranny,*sigh*

[86Shelby]

Pop the cables off the trans and try to get it into gear by moving the selector with your hand. Without the mechanical advantage from the shifter you may be able to feel a problem.

[yogurtslinger]

^great Idea, I'll try that in a bit, whats abnormal? grinding, complete freeplay....

[86Shelby]

The shaft should move in and out relatively easy. There will be some spring pressure both ways; this is the pressure that puts your shifter back to the nuetral position between 1st and 2nd. It should not bind or catch on anything. You may notice that there could be some extra pressure when you pull it out all the way; that is where reverse is.

It should also rotate side to side and engage the gears. The pattern is going to be identicle to your shifter pattern.

front of car<--5..3..1..R
.......................4...2

I can't remember which way it will rotate to engage the gears, though you should be able to find them all. reverse is all the way out though.

There should be no grinding since you should be doing this with the engine off. You may need someone to press on the clutch pedal to ease going into gear. It should feel just like it does inside the car but more precise. The shifter cables give a bit of a rubbery or vauge feel, this is closer to a nice RWD shifter or a bolt action rifle.

[yogurtslinger]

Well, I disconnected the cables, the arm moved freely, too freely. I removed the top part of the tranny with the shift mechanism. I had a bad feeling that that center shaft was broken by the way it felt....
Luckily, it looks like it just plain *sheered*. No busted off pieces that I could tell, almost like a nice clean cut.

[yogurtslinger]

another thing I found when I removed the tranny mount....

[86Shelby]

Nice tranny mount, is that custom?

Look at the bright side; any shifter housing from the same year 555/520 will work for you. If you can't find one locally I have one in my garage I don't have a use for since the rest of the case is cracked up.

[jonnymopar]

WOW, and that's the mount that hardly ever breaks.

[yogurtslinger]

Ray, I do need it. check your PMS.