sticky shifter

I already posted this in the Firebird forums, but I'm not getting much of a response. I thought this was a pretty common problem?

I have a '97 Trans Am LT1, and a '98 Camaro with an LS1. Both are automatics and on both of them, the stifter sticks BAD when you try to get it out of park if it has been sitting for more than an hour or so. Other F-body owners that I have talked to have this same problem. Anyone know what is causing it, or an easy fix to it. I already thoroughly checked the brake switch to make sure that it is disengaging the shifter lock, and it is working good. It feels like something is sticking either in the shifter itself or on the trans linkage???

Maybe you dropped some gum in there? :lol2: I honestly have no idea, this is weird.

Not too sure about automatic shifters, but the shifter for my 4 speed had so much road grime in it I had to soak it in boiling water, used 1 can of gasket remover, 1 can engine degreaser and 1 can of carb cleaner, this all after picking the rocks and crap out with screw drivers, etc.

The other problem I had was the linkage on mine twisted a bit (not sure how) and was binding the bushings up... after the monster cleaning and heavy greasing afterwards - used wheel bearing grease ... like a hot knife in butter.

Mine does that too sometimes......it happens to me when Im on a hill and put it in park w/out the E brake. When I come back its stiff as heck to get to drive. But other than that I put the Ebrake on and its all good.........

Well if you put it in park, and the car rolls (ie no parking brake) the gears are jammed together and the weight of the car is resting on it... the result is kinda like getting penny locked (college dorm days).

If THAT's what you're talking about, Justin, then the solution is simple... just like Bag says... use your parking brake. You're not supposed to let the trans be your parking brake anyway, that's why they put a separate parking brake on it. Not being a smartass, but MOST people I know don't use their parking brakes... including me unless I'm driving my maro. But then again, I would think you're having problems if your trans is in some state of wear.

It does it all of the time. Wether it is parked at incline or with the e-brake on or off, no matter what if it sits for more than an hour it is sticky as hell.

Thats weird..........sorry man....im out of ideas....

http://shbox.com/trans/A4_trans_linkage.html
http://shbox.com/trans/park_lock.html

http://shbox.com/trans/park_lock.html

This one worked perfect. All of this time fighting it, and it was just a simple 10 minute adjustment! Thanks alot FormulaLT1, you saved me alot of hassle!

No problem. http://shbox.com/page/index.html is the shit. Make sure that page is saved in your favorites. If you own a 4th gen ESPECIALLY a LT1. Its the best reference source and how to site on the net, that I have seen yet. With only thing close being www.projecttransam.com (http://www.projecttransam.com)

I was just going to say check the linkages... believe it or not.

Nice site John, sucks they don't have one for completely un-original 2 gen's with a pile of spaghetti under the dash....