73/05 Eagle Transmission shift linkage problem, getting disgusted!!!

Gary LaBombard · November 27, 2015, 07:02:04 AM

Hey guys,
Well I thought I was all done with the engine / tranny assembly but to make a freaking long story short here is what I found after draining the fluid in my transmission. I thought the shifting linkage that is on the side of the tranny was very loose when I disassembled it to remove the inspection cover on the tranny to clean it out and inspect for broken gears. did not think of it much at the time.

Now I am reassembling shifting linkage today this thought how in the hell does this shift the transmission. The shift arm linkage just rotates on the transmission splined shaft. I thought that this arm should be the controlling way it shifts anyhow. Well after cleaning up the complete linkage I found that there is very, very, very little spline on the bore of that long arm that shifts the tranny. Jesus!!! I am so tired of this Crap!! The part that holds the long shift arm in place appears ok, the spline of the little locking bracket slides on good on the tranny shaft all the way to the tranny housing. The spline of the tranny shaft appears alright, does not look worn but included photos of it here. I do have apparently 1/64-1/32 side slop on the tranny spline shaft, I hope this is still usable!!??? Need advise here too. Don't even ask me if I would do this conversion of a dinosaur again!!

I am needing this replacement arm and hope anyone that is converting to an automatic would have one on their 4 speed spicer tranny that would sell it to me. I am pretty close to taking a grinder to the dam whole bus today. The guy that sold me this I sure hope enjoyed the $30,000 he screwed me out of 14 years ago and I have other wishes for him too. Let this "ALSO" be a inspection point in buying one of these old dinosaurs if it has a manual tranny. You can shake the shift arm when all assembled, movement means that there is a lot of play on the spline parts.

I am enclosing all photos pertaining to this NEW FREAKING dilemma, and hope someone out there has a shift linkage not needed any longer willing to sell it to me. If you have one please be sure there is plenty of spline on the inside bore of the long linkage.
Thanks ahead of time,
Gary

Gary LaBombard · November 27, 2015, 07:03:31 AM

two other photos of tranny shift linkage.

TomC · November 27, 2015, 07:43:46 AM

Allison transmission time!

Gary LaBombard · November 27, 2015, 08:03:58 AM

I am not spending any more money on this relic than I have to any longer! I am 70 years old, unhealthy and sure as hell do now want my wife's next husband to enjoy all the benefits of a new like bus. Thanks anyhow, I will live with getting a new shift arm if possible and take at least one big ride on this dinosaur.

blue_goose · November 27, 2015, 08:53:15 AM

Read what Tom said about 20 more times.
Jack

Gary LaBombard · November 27, 2015, 10:03:50 AM

If he is talking about a 740 auto forget it and if he is talking about a removed from Eagle 4 speed tranny, forget that too, $2,000 from bus part sellers!

luvrbus · November 27, 2015, 12:05:20 PM

Don't beat yourself up Gary you are close it will work out for you I am digging around for one

eagle19952 · November 27, 2015, 12:08:00 PM

If I had one I'd give it to u.. be thankful that
A. you had turkey yesterday and
B. it wasn't the shaft

luvrbus · November 27, 2015, 12:34:49 PM

Gary,If all else fails buy shim stock the thickness to tighten it up drive the sucker on and drill a hole through the lever and shaft and drive a roll pin through both or drill and tap the lever and use 2 set screws lol you won't be the only one that has done that

kyle4501 · November 27, 2015, 01:36:47 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on November 27, 2015, 12:34:49 PM
Gary,If all else fails buy shim stock the thickness to tighten it up drive the sucker on and drill a hole through the lever and shaft and drive a roll pin through both or drill and tap the lever and use 2 set screws lol you won't be the only one that has done that

Excellent plan- will outlast your grandkids!

BTW, don't rule out an automatic - Start looking & be patient - you never know when you may get lucky.

Prevost45 · November 27, 2015, 03:15:08 PM

That's the Clutch release arm in those pictures. If that is what your concerned about being worn , the long arm is not supposed to be splined. It has worn itself onto the splines through the years. It could be fixed with a bushing of the right size or braze the ID & rebore it. Both are fairly easy machine shop fixes.

Gary LaBombard · November 27, 2015, 03:41:30 PM

Prevost 45, you have my hopes up, I need more info on the function of this arm, is it to be on a loose fit and the smaller part actually changes the gears? I sure hope you are right and if so I owe a kiss on the lips. Well maybe we will think about that one. I can easily rebore, or rebush that arm if it is to be a loose fit so it just fits on the spline shaft of the tranny. Yes that is the arm in question in the first photo as assembled before removing the inspection plate behind it. if is hard to imagine that the spline shaft wore into the bore of the (clutch release arm) as I now know it as.

Prevost45 · November 27, 2015, 08:12:14 PM

Gary, that "realease" arm is a pull only action floating on the pivot shaft itself. the small arm locks onto the shaft & transfers torque / motion to the shaft that ultimately moves the realease bearing inside the housing. The smaller part with good splines left is the adjuster , the grub screw & jam nut set the clutch pedal free play. I hope this helps explain the process better...its been 20 years since I've been underside a Eagle.

Tom Y · November 28, 2015, 01:04:08 AM

So both arms are on the same shaft? Hard to see in the pic. Interesting design, and the bolt on the small arm hit son the long arm? Don't give up the ship!!! One problem at a time. Tom

luvrbus · November 28, 2015, 01:30:46 AM

Gary,did you change from the double disk pull type clutch that Eagle used to the single disk mushroom type clutch ?