Shifter button hard to push

[kjhansen]

My TR has the floor shifter, as most do. The flexible rubber boot on the shift cable broke at the mounting bracket on the side of the transmission, so the shifter just slid loosely back and forth without changing gears. I did a tied it back onto the bracket with wire so I had reverse, neutral and drive, but didn't want to spend a lot of time adjusting my temporary repair (very bad back, very painful crawling under a car) so I had the cable replaced. Now the button on the side of the shift "T" handle is very hard to push in. Rather than just start tearing things apart I thought I'd ask what could be causing this. If I can fix it from the inside of the car I'd rather do that than take it back to the friend who helped fix it.
Keith

[Steve Wood]

I am guessing that neutral on the column is not lined up with neutral on the shifter properly.  That is assuming the shifter cable is of the correct length.  Seems like this is one of the areas that not all of the aftermarket cables are the correct length?

Normally, you put the shift lever on the side of the transmission in to Neutral and then rotate the hub on the column to Neutral.  Then you adjust the rod from the transmission to the lever sticking out of the column at the firewall end under the hood until it fits without having to move the  shifter or the hub on the column to get it installed without moving the shifter or the hub any.   The hub is the piece that a column shifter would be mounted to if it was a column shifter was in the car.

With the rod adjusted correctly, the car should shift into park without resistance at one end of the throw and into Low gear at the other end.

Now if the new cable has an adjustment at the end that hooks to the floor shifter, I cannot remember.  I don't think I ever had to change a cable.  Maybe Jeremy or someone else knows that answer.  I just know that some have had a problem with the cables being the wrong length.

A side note is that it is usually after all these years to replace the bushing and sleeve at the bottom of the column as shown in the attached pic.  With wear or disintergratio n of these two parts, it gets more difficult to adjust the "Park" rod when adjusting the linkage.

[Steve Wood]

Assuming that you bought a cable that is an actual replacement (most aftermarket sellers are selling a cable meant for the 3 speed transmission-but a few of the Buick places are claiming their cables are the right length for the 4 speed transmission), then I guess it would not hurt disconnect it and see if the button on the transmission presses in and out as it should. 

[kjhansen]

Well, while it is a floor shift, not a column shift, your advice is still good. Thanks

[Steve Wood]

My advice was aimed at the floor shifter.  The Park lever can bind up the shifter if not adjusted properly

[Steve Wood]

Thinking about it, I would think the button should push in at any time so start by pulling the handle off and check the plunger and spring, etc.

[Steve Wood]

One other thing I thought about.  The plastic rod that goes down the shifter under the handle can be screwed in or out to change the height as I recall.  This might cause a bind in the button push if too long, I think. 

Of course, I may be thinking of another car LOL