‘74 three speed shift linkage bushings

[egrier]

Has anyone replaced their shift linkage bushings? The one for 1st and reverse shot caps on me. I ordered new ones from Bronco graveyard but they seem to be hard plastic instead of a softer rubber like the old ones. Not sure how I’m gonna be able to snap them back into the shifter lever and the linkage since there is no give to them.

 

[EPB72]

Has anyone replaced their shift linkage bushings? The one for 1st and reverse shot caps on me. I ordered new ones from Bronco graveyard but they seem to be hard plastic instead of a softer rubber like the old ones. Not sure how I’m gonna be able to snap them back into the shifter lever and the linkage since there is no give to them.

The ones on the column side?? Mine were abandoned in the early 80’s , now the 3 speed long gone in early 90’s … But here are picks of yhe original column ones yep kinda hard rubber with steel flanged on 1 side sleeve that passes through ,,

 

[EPB72]

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/19...ft-Rod-Bushing-With-Sleeve/productinfo/17070/ were they these just looked on ther site and they also have the nylon ones listed for your year but I thought those would be for an automatic ,,, when you say three speed I'm thinking manual transmission , SO???

 

[egrier]

Yeah, mine are the nylon ones and not like the ones in your pics.

 

[NJBronk]

You want something like this: https://tomsoffroad.com/products/73-77-ford-bronco-column-shift-lever-bushing

You might not like this advice, but I’d consider pulling the column to replace them. Super awkward and difficult to do in place. when I saw how easy it was to remove the column to rebuild it, I wish I’d done that in the first place when replacing the bushings.

 

[EPB72]

Warming them up in hot water helps I used water from hot water on demand without issue about 200*. There is tool that I had access to about 25 years ago ,, I also made up tool out of a large vise grips that I cut up and welded up was pretty good for in vehicle , I’ve even gotten large slip grip pliers and a socket to work ,, as noted out of vehicle would make easier ..

 

[egrier]

You want something like this: https://tomsoffroad.com/products/73-77-ford-bronco-column-shift-lever-bushing

You might not like this advice, but I’d consider pulling the column to replace them. Super awkward and difficult to do in place. when I saw how easy it was to remove the column to rebuild it, I wish I’d done that in the first place when replacing the bushings.

These are the bushing that I have.

 

[thegreatjustino]

These in the first link require a special tool to flare the sleeves upon installation:

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/66-73-ford-bronco-manual-gear-shift-arm-bushings

These in the second link can be installed with a c-clamp and socket. As stated, heat them up to make them more pliable.

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/73-77-ford-bronco-shift-linkage-retainer-bushing


According to the links, the first ones are used on all manual transmission Broncos from 1966-1977, but I don't believe that to be correct. I have a bone stock '73 Ranger that I bought from the second owner, and the column shifter uses the bushings from the second link. I'm reasonably certain that Ford switched to the second link in '73 for the manual transmission as well.