I have an update on the shifter linkage work. Everything is back together and I did a test drive yesterday. I'm not fully happy with how it shifts yet, think I need to do some fine adjustment on the linkage.

I chose to use the hard Teflon bushings and Viton rubber boots from GW. Another option was bootless pliable bushings from VC but I wanted to have boots. I did not use any lubrication on the Teflon bushings.

During the test drive I noticed something odd...that removing the shifter knob eliminated all of the transmission-related noise that was being conveyed from the transmission by the linkage. No knob, no noise, very strange. I'm going to play around with this some more, maybe try a different knob from the OEM one I'm using. I also may try adding some damping to the shifter rods and see if that makes any difference.

-Mark

> On Jan 31, 2025, at 9:24 AM, Mark McCulley <mark@markmcculley.com> wrote:
> 
> I've started a winter project of rebuilding the shifter linkage, from the shifter to the transmission. This will be the second time I've done this project on this van, it's been at least 100K miles since I did it the first time.
> 
> I spent a couple of hours under the van yesterday removing all of the linkage parts. It was a bit troublesome disconnecting the front and rear shifter rod sections but I managed to get it done. The next step is to remove all the undercoating on the two rod sections. I had undercoating applied about 20 years ago. I think I'm about 60% through with that messy endeavor. 
> 
> I also plan to replace the shift lever with one that is solid and install a short shift kit.
> 
> -Mark