3 on the tree help

[Jared96f150]

Hello guys . I'm new here and looking for help on 3 on the tree shifter problem. I have had this question in another form with no luck. Im going to put pictures here but the basic question I have is how to remove the shift tube without breaking everything! I thought It would just pull out but that is not working. The upper lever is engaged and will not disengage. Lower lever moves freely for the most part. Everything I see is disassembled. I even tired hammering it out. No luck. Any ideas would be great. Ps it is a 66 f100 same basic parts though.

[jimmy828]

I'm confused. Sounds to me you are saying that the levers are still on the shift tube. If that's the case, the shift tube is not coming out with the levers attached. Are you working from inside the cab trying to pull the tube out. If i remember correctly once the you get the steering wheel off and everything behind the wheel and getting access to tube you can slide the tube up and down enough to get levers off. It might take 2 people. One in cab and one under hood. Plus it's a PITA but then again i referring to a 69

[Jared96f150]

I have the whole column out the only thing left is the shift tube and levers. I assumed as you said that with some pulling the tube would come out buy pulling up and leaving the leavers in bottom to pull out. But it won't move I have beat on it pulled on it everything. From everyone's answers I am thinking this is a unique case the upper lever is seriously jammed to the shift tube and I will have to force it out. Thanks

[tac]

Is the tab on the tube stuck behind the 2nd-3rd arm because it was in 1st or reverse when taken out? Align the 2 shift levers (Neutral) to get the tube out.

[Jared96f150]

I lined those up no dice man. The shift tube moves with the upper lever so if I move the levers to neutral I have to hammer the upper one over and the shift tube moves with it. The lower level moves freely..I hope I don't sound stupid here but the shift tube is stuck on the upper lever..

I bought it this way. Someone literally broke the shifter column lever off trying to get it out of gear

[tac]

I wonder if that tab or something else is wedged under the shift arm. You might try tapping on the tube the other way to see if you can free the shift arm from the tube. You could try cutting the plastic spacer between the arms to see whats going on. Replacements are cheap.

[Jared96f150]

thats what im about to do now.. previously I cut a block of wood and hammered the crap out of the tube both directions and it did not budge...

[Jared96f150]

here are the pictures of this thing

[jimmy828]

My guess is that the levers are keeping it from coming out. Have you been able to get the lever that would not move loose ? Maybe they are clocked in a certain position keeping the tube from coming out. I do know that with the levers off the tube should slide out with ease.

[sargentrs]

In neutral, the boss on the shift tube is in both levers. In Rev-1st, it's in the bottom lever only, in 2nd-3rd it's in the top lever only. I agree, it sounds like it's wedged in the top lever. You'll have a hard time beating it out like that because the lever is going to be wedged at an angle and just get tighter the more you beat on it. You might try drilling a couple of 3/16"-1/4" holes through the housing, under the edge of the lever, and sliding some bolts through it so you can support it on both sides while you tap on the tube from the bottom.

[Jared96f150]

Ok guys I got it! Man this was a PIA as everyone says... I will post picture tomorrow of the problem.. sad someone let this truck rot in a field for 20 years over a stupid little part..I need to look at the diagram but at the very bottom of the shift tube is a plastic sheath?? thing.. it had gotten wedged between the upper shift lever and tube..sorry im not good with the technical terminology. So the shift tube was stuck on the lever..which also keep it from rotating and as i was hammering it was wedging more..like pulling a sock down.(if that makes any sense).. So last question is do I need it? seems insignificant.. I prepped everything back together and if moves great???

Ideas??

[sargentrs]

The purpose of that nylon sleeve is to provide a "sliding surface" for the shift tube to move smoothly up and down through the bottom of the housing. Without it on there, the end of the shift tube would be sloppy and could cause a binding problem. Is it totally destroyed or can it be saved with a little filing or sanding? These old trucks are pretty forgiving but I would think you'd need something down there to keep the tube centered. If not, maybe you can make your own? http://www.mcmaster.com/#nylon-sleeve-bearings/=v39o1j

[Jared96f150]

yeah its destroyed... thanks for the idea on making my own I'm going to check into that.

[tac]

Glad you got it.