Shift rail problem

[PaulS]

I was disassembling the top cover of my T-90 when I ran into a problem.  (I figured if I was tearing the transmission down to replace seals/gaskets and anything else that needed it, I might as well do a full clean and paint...)

Anyway, one of the shift rails came out no problem, and the spring and ball just fell into the box I was working in for that purpose.  The other rail, however, got stuck.  It seems like the spring and/or ball is caught in a hole in the rail.  It'll move back and forth an inch or so (and I can feel the spring), but any further and it hits something hard (I'm presuming the ball).  Is there a way out of this predicament?  I'm thinking I could break the spring by turning the rail, and maybe that would allow the rail to slide out.  But if there's a better way, I'm all ears!

Thanks,

-Paul

[Ryan_M]

This happened to me. I had to drive the shift rail out with a drift.

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=8617

[PaulS]

Thanks!.  I see the guide (which I have seen before, and tried to find before working on the T-90, but didn't know what to search for--thanks for that!) has the text:

"Carefully slide the shifter rod forward while rotating the shift lever notch in the rod toward the bottom of the tower. Do not allow the notch to pass the poppet ball while it is pointed toward the top or the poppet ball and spring will become trapped in the notch. If this happens you can force the poppet ball back into the hole by rotating the shaft with a pair of vise-grips."

I'll try that rotation and see what happens.  It's what I was going to do to break the spring if I had to--but according to this it may work without breaking the spring.

-Paul

[PaulS]

A bit of rotation with vice grips (over a rag to protect the rail), and it came free nicely.  It didn't even take much force at all.

-Paul

[1955CJ-5]

Good work! I never even took my shift tower apart...but if I have to someday, I'll know what to watch for....

[Oilleaker1]

Good info. to know. thanks Oilly