Jammed shifting

[D+C4106]

Good evening everyone,  We finally were able to take the bus out for "fun".   A trip from Ohio to Iowa, with a stop in Shipshewana and one in Elkhart (for windshield replacement).  We almost made it to Indiana without trouble!  Just after exiting the turnpike when coming to a stop I somehow managed to get the shifting linkage jammed in  3rd or 4th gear and was unable to get it out.  Pulled around the corner in the high gear and had to shut down and get it out of gear with the channellocks.  Went another 10 miles + - and a similar situation got it jammed again.  Of coarse it had to get dark fast.  I need to get this fixed or our trip will be a nightmare. We did make it to Shipshewana at least!    Is this something I can "adjust" on the outside of the transmission? or is this an internal problem? Any suggestions are appreciated.  Thanks to this board for previous discussions on this or I may not have known enough to do what I did. I tried to search the archives but was not very successful.   GM   4106   4 speed manual transmission.               Thanks, for your help,   Denis

[bear355]

   Hey Dennis, We also have a 4106 that used to jam up quite often and it was a real pain.You have to be real careful when shifting make sure you go to neutral between every gear and don't drag the shifter along the way.we finally did a clutch job and I don't believe we have had any trouble since. Just my story.   Good luck

[pvcces]

Denis, I really doubt that you have any problem with the long rods in the channel in the middle of the bus. This problem is usually caused by wear in wear points.

For you, that ought to be in the shift tower on the floor, the clevis pins connected to it, the clevis pins at the bulkhead behind the rear axle, the clevis pins connecting the rods to the transmission cover and the cover shift rods just inside the transmission.

The main thing to realize is there are a lot of wear points, and some of them probably wore quite a bit. Look for the looseness, and gradually get rid of it. I wouldn't be surprised if you meet a lot of grease fittings that you didn't know you own.

Good luck.

Tom Caffrey

[D+C4106]

Thanks for the support,  I will be jumping in and getting dirty soon.  Thanks again,  Denis

[jlaney]

denis
when i got my 4501 gmc sceniccruiser. i had a problem with the shifting . when i went from first to second , it wanted to go into reverse and slide the wheels. i got me a new toggle switch for the reverse solinoid and fixed that buddy. has anyone had this problem? 
thanks jt.

[HB of CJ]

Could your problem be length of trip related?....which mean temperature related?  Was the tranny very hot...soosss hot you could feel the heat radiating off of it?  Could you touch and hold the case?

Wondering if it could be lubrication related.  Could it be that the tranny gets hot literally and then does not want to shift cleanly?  How is the oil level in the thing?  Any obvious oil leaks?  Good luck.

[D+C4106]

JT,  our trouble does not seem to be related to reverse (this time!).
HB,  The first time this occurred we had traveled about 100 miles, not overly hot,  oil level is fine.   It happened today while engine/transmission were still cool.   
I have found some wear (sloppy) on the 3rd- 4th shifting lever on  the top of the transmission.  Have not been able to remove the part to check any further yet.    I am having a hard time finding "neutral", going from 2nd to 3rd. With the engine on or off the shifting "H" is not always clear, and some times it just won't move to the 3-4th side of the "H".  Thanks everyone for your input.   Denis

[Don4107]

For a quick fix until you can adjust all the linkage, take the shift lever off.  Look at the slots that are in the  two sliders.  When in neutral they should line up and be in the spring loaded detent.  Go to the tranny and rock both levers until you are sure they are in neutral detent and then check the slots again.  If they are not lined up adjust the linkage until they are and each slider is in the spring loaded detent position. 

The sliders may be gummed up real bad.  For a quick fix spray liberally with some type lube that has some solvent action like WD40 to soften the old grease.

When you drive it, it needs to feel like it is going all the way into each gear before the sliders or linkage hit their travel limits.  Otherwise you might damage the tranny.  Give it a thorough going over and adjust by the book when you get it home.

Good luck.

[D+C4106]

THanks everybody for your help,  I think we have the problem rectified for the rest of the trip.   Made adjustments to the linkage at the transmission and made a "field repair" not duct tape or tie wire!!! But close!  I have some parts ready to ship from Luke and hope we can fix it right at home.  Again I thank all for the info it helped.  Denis

[D+C4106]

We did make it to Davenport without further  troubles. Denis