[DeTomaso] Gearshift linkage disaster

[Brent Stewart]

Thanks Mike,
Good - now that i have this turnbuckle thing figured out (labeled "Linkage sleeve") in the manual, i see how one would take length out of the overall linkage assembly by this adjustment.  But, it seems that it takes the length out from the wrong end for me, ie, to move the shift lever back, it would move the center u-joint TOWARD the fender-well where i am having clearance issues. It's almost as if my trunnion is holding the whole assembly to close to the fender.  I've taken a few pictures, please take a look and let me know if you see any obvious issues...

Top view:http://tinyurl.com/6x9oln
Fender-well view:http://tinyurl.com/6rjkzp
Folder with more: http://tinyurl.com/5d29pt

thanks again!!

brent




________________________________
From: "MikeLDrew at aol.com" <MikeLDrew at aol.com>
To: bjbstewart at yahoo.com; DeTomaso at realbig.com
Sent: Sunday, November 9, 2008 12:18:43 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Gearshift linkage disaster

Brent,

The turnbuckle is, well, the turnbuckle.   It's located just aft of the trunnion bearing.   That is how the linkage length is adjusted.   It has a locknut on each end, one of which is reverse thread (the one with the notches cut into the corners, very plainly visible).   With the locknuts loosened, if you turn the turnbuckle one way, it shortens the overall length of the shift linkage, and if you turn it the other way, it lengthens it.

Assuming you have successfully moved the splined shafts within the various U-joints (something which is not normally necessary), then the proper fore-aft and side-to-side location of the shift lever is adjusted strictly with the turnbuckle.

It's not an easy thing to get right; small misalignments are magnified at the shift lever, making it impossible to get either reverse/first, or fourth/fifth if it's clocked incorrectly, and impossible to get the 'forward' gears (reverse/second/fourth) or 'aft' gears (first/third/fifth) if the linkage is the improper length.

It is MUCH easier to adjust with two people, one person sitting inside the car and managing the shift lever and the other one working the turnbuckle.

BTW the nuts and the turnbuckle are all 22mm believe, or big-ass crescent wrench....

Mike


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