Steering Column rebuild - troubleshooting 1st/ R issue

[clinem03]

I have been having a ton of trouble getting my 3 on the tree to “pull back” and move into 1st or R (original thread : https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threads/having-trouble-getting-3-on-tree-in-1st-or-r.314169/. )

I pulled the column and took it apart and only found an issue with the shift collar and turn signal housing where they were wearing each other down where they connected. I put on a new shift collar and turn signal housing, put it back together and reinstalled it. It was shifting just “ok” and then I ran into the same issue where it would get stuck in 2nd and 3rd and the main issue was “pulling the shift handle back” to get it into 1st/R. My new hunch is that it’s the shift tube or the shift lever arms. I plan to grease up the shift tube and arms real well (didn’t do that the first time) but before I do, I was hoping people could eyeball my shift tube and levers to see if there is another issue I may be missing? Outside of the spring at the base of the tube being dirty and a bit rusty it looks good. The levers are OK but the 1st/R lever does look worn where the tab from the tube would slide in (see photos). Any other ideas on what it could be?

 

[BGBronco]

I'm assuming the manual has the same upper shift collar as an automatic. If you replaced that and didn't get the pin/spring seated correctly in the new collar that would cause the shift handle to behave awkwardly.

 

[clinem03]

Got it fixed. Turns out it was the socket between the two shift arms. There is a right way, and a wrong way to install it

 

[Smedley]

I used this video to help me rebuild mine.