shift lever on auto column loose - Question?

[Mountain Man]

My 72 column shift lever for my auto tranny (stock tilt column), is loose, and has been since I bought it in March. When you pull it out of park and into and out of D N or Reverse or any selection the stick flops back and forth. It seems like it is missing a spring. What is the fix for this

[JimKshortstep4x4]

There is a spring under the lever and it is probably broken. If you pull the lever out you will be able to see the spring. The hole that holds the spring is
is tight so the spring can be a little hard to pull out. Usually a screw driver can be used to pry it out.

The tip of the lever can be worn and this will increse the sloppiness. New ones are available.

Jim

[Mountain Man]

Thanks for that. Does any one have a pic of the spring, and also how do you pull the shift level off of the column to add a spring.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Here is a picture of the spring. It is a compression spring, 5/16" OD x 1" long
with a wire size of .063".

To remove the shift lever drive the pivot pin out with a drift punch or similiar and pull the lever out.

Jim

[roadking]

where can i find this spring? hardware store??, how do i install? thanks

[JimKshortstep4x4]

The springs are a tight fit in the hole but usually you can pop them out with a screw driver. If the spring is broken so that a piece is stuck below the top of the hole, disassembly of the column will be necessary.

I can fax you a breakdown of the column if you want it.

I have been looking for a spring source, but no luck yet.

Jim

[roadking]

can you give me info. on installing a new one, is thier a notch in the column that will hold spring in place while i insert shift lever? or will i have to take column apart? thanks

[JimKshortstep4x4]

The spring fits tight into the hole as shown in the picture. It will not come out when you install the shifter if you install the shifter at an angle until you make contact with the spring. Then it is a matter of sliding it by the spring.

Jim