RE: Excessive gearstick movement on -76 Spider

["Brian Shorey" <bshorey@domain.elided>]

> >In my -76 Spider the gear lever seems to have excessive movement and
> >pushes the center console in 1:st and 5:th gears. Is it supposed to
go that
> >far? Is there simple solutions to tighten the linkage or joints,
without
> tearing the gearbox apart? Car has only 54000 miles on it.
> 
> There are no real linkages or joints in the Spider shifter, it's
pretty much
> a direct connection. That's why it's so long. It sounds to me like
either
> your console or dash is not mounted correctly or is sagging. The dash
has
> two large wingnuts that tighten down onto the mounts underneath just
left
> and right of center near the defroster vents. Make sure it's pushed
all the
> way up and forward and the nuts are tight. Also check to make sure
your
> console is secured correctly.

There is one potential problem area in the 'linkage', and that's where
the shift lever bolts up underneath the rubber boots.  If that bolt gets
loose, then there can be some left to right slop in the shift lever.

That would not account for problems going into first or fifth, however.

For that, I'd recommend checking the dash/console as Paul suggests.
Other causes could be sagging motor or transmission mounts.

bs
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