Kafka_Esquire
09-19-2016, 08:07 AM
I am using a rebuilt Ford AOD and, as part of installing the shifter assembly, am also replacing the stock shift lever (the part that sticks into the transmission) with a Lokar unit. I hit a snag and could really use some insights. I bought the tranny from a non-local supplier, and I would prefer to solve this myself or locally.
The Lokar instructions and the geometry of the linkage requires that the shift lever be vertical when the transmission is in Park. As delivered, my AOD lever was in the 2:30 or 3:00 position. To swap the lever or reset the existing one, I first need to pull the 1/8” roll pin that holds the lever assembly in place. As delivered, the pin was mounted near flush (typically it sticks out about an eighth to a quarter inch). The Lokar instructions suggest that I use diagonal cutters to grip the pin and, using the transmission case as leverage, wiggle it out. Looks good on paper…
My best guesses is that either the pin is working far better than intended, or the rebuilder used Lok-Tite, or I am inept. In either event, that bugger is NOT moving. I've (a) snapped a couple of carbide drills trying to drill it out, (b) lubricated it, let it sit overnight, and the trying drilling a hole in the case next to (touching) the roll pin hole, and (c) I've used so much force wiggling/leveraging the cutters that the pin is now cut flush with the case. I cannot get a screw or hook in there to pull from behind; the inside of the case is now mangled (but not the machined area where the gasket sits); the pin is now mangled; and I still have the OEM shift lever out of place.
Has anybody here had a similar issue? What have you done to address it?
Thanks,
Brian
The Lokar instructions and the geometry of the linkage requires that the shift lever be vertical when the transmission is in Park. As delivered, my AOD lever was in the 2:30 or 3:00 position. To swap the lever or reset the existing one, I first need to pull the 1/8” roll pin that holds the lever assembly in place. As delivered, the pin was mounted near flush (typically it sticks out about an eighth to a quarter inch). The Lokar instructions suggest that I use diagonal cutters to grip the pin and, using the transmission case as leverage, wiggle it out. Looks good on paper…
My best guesses is that either the pin is working far better than intended, or the rebuilder used Lok-Tite, or I am inept. In either event, that bugger is NOT moving. I've (a) snapped a couple of carbide drills trying to drill it out, (b) lubricated it, let it sit overnight, and the trying drilling a hole in the case next to (touching) the roll pin hole, and (c) I've used so much force wiggling/leveraging the cutters that the pin is now cut flush with the case. I cannot get a screw or hook in there to pull from behind; the inside of the case is now mangled (but not the machined area where the gasket sits); the pin is now mangled; and I still have the OEM shift lever out of place.
Has anybody here had a similar issue? What have you done to address it?
Thanks,
Brian