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Transmission Shifter Slack, Easy Fix Or Total Rebuild?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Henri Watson, Dec 23, 2018.

  1. Dec 23, 2018
    Henri Watson

    Henri Watson Member

    Mississippi
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2018
    Messages:
    189
    I've had my T98 in my cj5 for about a year now and the sloppy shifter slack is starting to cause issues. It has a ton of play both in neutral and in gear. This is making it hard to find gears when shifting and I end up grinding pretty often. The synchro gears (2,3 & 4) aren't really synchronizing either so first/reverse are difficult to get. Not sure if that's connected to the bad shifter slack or if that's a whole different problem all together.

    Anyway, can this slack be solved by removing the top cap and messing with the shifter arms etc.. or is it more of a total transmission problem? What are some ways I can approach this?

    Thanks,
    Henri
     
  2. Dec 23, 2018
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    Henri, not sure if the T98 is identical to the T18 in this respect but, under the screw on cap, there is a pin that goes through the top of the shift cover and into a slot in the shift cane. This hole and or the pin sometimes wear and give excessive slop in the shifter. Usually it's the hole that gets worn. One fix is to drill the hole slightly larger (no more than necessary) then, cut a piece off the drill bit you used, the same length as the original pin, and use IT in place of the original pin.

    See pictures in the link below (before Dec 31 because the pics will disappear after that-------photobucket)


    My lengthy Borg warner T18 rebuild thread
     
  3. Dec 23, 2018
    Henri Watson

    Henri Watson Member

    Mississippi
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2018
    Messages:
    189
    Okay yeah that might be the bulk of my problem. That piece got broken when the transmission was shipped to me, somebody hit the shifter hard enough to break the thin cast iron on top of that pin hole. I had it brazed back together but the pin/hole isn't very tight now.
     
  4. Dec 27, 2018
    RedWing

    RedWing Member

    Sutton Bay
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2005
    Messages:
    564
    Has anyone have an issue with gear oil spraying up through the shifter handle? Is there any seal that is supposed to prevent the fluid from leaking out where the shift cane enters the top of the transmission?
     
  5. Dec 27, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    There should be a conical metal disc that is held snug under spring tension to help "seal" the shift cane. I have seen these discs worn completely through and razor sharp.
    I've never seen one bad enough to spray gear oil though.
    -Donny
     
  6. Dec 28, 2018
    RedWing

    RedWing Member

    Sutton Bay
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2005
    Messages:
    564
    Thanks, mine is actually on a T14, It doesn't really spray, but comes out of there pretty good. Were you able to purchase a replacement disc?
     
  7. Jan 27, 2019
    Henri Watson

    Henri Watson Member

    Mississippi
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2018
    Messages:
    189
    Update - I put a T18 cap on there and it removed 95% of the slack. Easy fix! One more item checked off my endless list..
     
    47v6, ojgrsoi and Bowbender like this.
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