Loose Gear Shifter

[Defender]

2003 GMC 2500HD. Went to leave and trans seemed locked, wouldn't go into park. Played with it awhile and finally got it to work right. However the shifter is very sloppy. Any ideas??

[rapidoxidationman]

Can you get another set of eyes to look at the linkage where it attaches to the transmission while you're moving the shift lever? That'll get you started on where the problem is...

[DmaxMaverick]

The NSBU (at the tranny) can be an issue, as rapidoxidationman said, but also check the shift lever and pivot at the column. I've seen issues when the pin boss has broken, leaving the lever very loose, causing the condition you are experiencing. Repair parts are available and not difficult to replace, if that's the case.

[Defender]

Thanks for the responses. Any links to how to go about these possible solutions? Thanks again. (I have searched but no luck finding directions. I am not mechanical but can follow detailed instructions on some jobs)

[DmaxMaverick]

Start the diagnosis by looking. You need to determine which end of the horse to talk to. While moving the shift lever (while it is displaying the "loose" condition), look at the pivot point of the shift lever where it enters the column. If it seems solid, do the same, while someone looks at the driver/left side of the transmission, where the cable (from the shift lever) enters a black or tan box (later NSBU generations are tan, but both are essentially the same).

If you move the lever with the range of "loose", and the tranny cable doesn't move, the problem is likely in the column. If the cable moves with the shift lever, but is still "loose", then the problem is the NSBU, or a bracket outside the tranny (should be obvious). If both ends seem solid, but the selector movement is still "loose", it may be the cable itself (less common, but it's happened). IIRC, yours is a 2-piece, with the junction below the front edge of the driver seat. If it's the cable, it may be broken (in the process of breaking), or the coupler has somehow loosened. Trace the cable from the tranny to where it enters the floor, through the floor, and to the column/shift lever.

[Defender]

OK Thanks.....Gonna give it a whirl. (as soon as it cools down a little this PM. In AZ)

[Defender]

Went underneath, could see no movement. She goes into the hospital tomorrow AM. Must be in the column. Thanks again.

[Defender]

It was a broken spring in the column. Replaced the Shift Control Assembly. $623.00 later it is fixed, and I am broke.

[More Power]

Bummer about the cost.

I haven't looked at the Haynes service manuals (available at most auto parts stores or available online, like Amazon) for the newer GM trucks, but I do know that for earlier model trucks they go into detail showing how to repair a variety of steering column related problems and disassembly procedures. The Haynes manuals also have a lot more information about the truck and powertrain.

Where Haynes manuals usually fall down is in their "diesel" information. However, just one useful procedure will pay for the cost of the book even if it doesn't cover absolutely everything. Jim