Reply to "TRUNNION BEARING (revisited)"

Jack D. could answer this question better than I. The only reason I could see for the detent in the "Shift Lever Housing" would be for a more "Positive Feel" to "Help" In finding the correct gears. OR to keep the shift LEVER upright, and centered, when it is desirable to leave it, and KEEP it in NEUTRAL. As said before, this detent "Fights" against the detent that is in the TransAxle itself, which in some cases will make shifting haphazzard at best. As far as the Ratteling; I have it also, it comes and goes. It is NOT from removing the gate! And I do NOT think it is caused from removing the DETENT, as the tiny nose on the detent plunger ONLY engages a slot milled on the very top center of the corresponding shaft, when the lever is in a straight-UP position! I beleive the rattle IS caused by the NORMAL(30 years right) wear of the pivit/fulcrum bushings, and of the end STOPS that the very bottom end of the lever must push against in order to acheive leverage to acomplish a gear shift. These stops, in the diagrams, appear to be ADJUSTABLE by either locking bolts and/or adding shims. In the near future I plan to pull the shifter housing and machine all new bushings out of Stainless Steel and/or Bronze. Pantera owners could ship me their shifter housings for a complete rebuild! (YES! Would be expensive!) And My work always includes the addition of Zerk fiitings where needed. I am a fanatic for the ease of lubrication without dissassembly. I am also working on a design for a solid Bronze TRUNNION bearing, or bronze bushing inserted into a HEIM Joint, as there seems to be a real need for it. How about a 2-Piece design that can be installed without disconnecting the shifter shaft at all? Any other answers?? Marlin.

[This message has been edited by MARLIN JACK (edited 10-27-2003).]