[mr_udy]

I just removed the trans pan of my 4spd GT, and as read in a past post, a ball an spring popped out. I looked back at a couple threads and am probably missing something. How do you put them back in? Where? I saw a hole in the casting that the spring seems to fit into but the ball doesnt seem to (from the bottom anyway) Any help would be apprietiated. Just bought the car a couple weeks ago and I just want to enjoy my "new" GT for a bit before I have to put her away for the winter. The trans pan leak was the only thing keeping me from a good drive! Thanks

 

[kwilford]

4-speed Gearshift Interlock Balls and Springs

The following was a PM from a member that I received earlier today, so I thought I would reply in a thread.

I read your reply to a post regarding changing trans fluid and the check ball/spring that pops out. Well, mine did pop out and can't figure out were they go. I saw a jog in the pan and a hole. The spring fits but the ball doesn't. Could you tell me how/where to put these so I can put her back together and drive the car?

There are two "jogs" in the tranny case where the pan mounts up. One is to get access to the roll pins that hold the internal forks to the shafts (the bigger hole), while the other is the hole for the reverse gearshift interlock ball and spring. The ball goes in first (it sits below the reverse shifter shaft, when the tranny is right side up, in a couple indentations on the internal shaft) and is followed by the spring. The ball is quite a close fit, but it will go in when coaxed.

There are also two interlock balls that are installed from on top of the transmission, so I thought I would mention them as well. They sit above the 2-3 and 3-4 shifter shafts, have a spring above each, and the spring is held down by little pressed-in grooved plugs (the groove is used to pull the plugs out), that is driven into the tranny case from above.

HTH

 

[GTJIM (R.I.P.)]

Balls!

Each side of thegearbox about halfway along is a bit of the housing casting at about the third gear postion which have a small round hole drilled in them, the diameter of the ball bearing/spring. These are the shift arms rod detent holes and the ball goes in first followed by the spring. The spring will stick down below the face of the casting and be compressed by the sheet metal cover. Use some wheel bearing grease on them to hold them in place till you can get the cover on. Ball up first, then the spring.

Woops! The Reverse one goes in from below - the other two go in from above - underneath plugs driven into the top of the casting. Grease helps with the revese one though.

 

[mr_udy]

Thanks

Guess I was working on the correct hole. I will try harder to "persuade" the check ball into its home. I'll respond back after I return from the shop-and hopefully after a quick drive! Thanks in advance.

 

[mr_udy]

Thanks again

Success. Must have been a bur or something from scraping the gasket. It took a bit of pressure to puch the ball up there. Took her for a ride and returned to less of a leak-this time from the trans to bellhousing. When to Sears and bought a stuby 15mm combo wrench and no more leaks. Thanks for all the help from a new Opeler!

 

[jordan]

I have my 4 speed out of the car and while it was upside down (pan facing up) I removed the pan and there is no spring or ball bearing in sight. Would this be in the larger hole over the reverse shaft? If it is I am missing it and it may explain why my car comes out of reverse all the time. Would anyone happen to have a spare spring and ball for this purpose? Or sizes to be able to source them.

 

[opelspyder]

Spring detent.

A lot of these will be missing because the fluid was changed prior and it fell out. There are actually 3 parts. A ball, spring, and then a plug that fits the hole and has a little line up pin for the spring.
Keith

 

[GTJIM (R.I.P.)]

Spring Ball

The spring is quite sturdy as it gives the shift 'feel' by positively holding the shift rail in position.
It is quite possible that other gearboxes have very similar "Detent Springs & Balls" Try talking to a local Trans rebuilder or Wrecking Yard and you may find something that fits - you may even be pleasantly surprised if you ask at your local GM Parts Counter ... ask for the 'Old Parts Guy' !! ... Vegas used the Opel box too.

 

[jordan]

I looked through my random opel compression spring & ball bearing box and I found what looks the closest to the combination. Ball is .550", spring is 1.550" un compressed and .425" in diameter. Does it looks close or am I way off?

 

[Paul]

Here's a picture of what you need. In the picture will see a fat spring on the left. It goes in the steering rack and privides tension to hold the pinion gear against the rack. The one on the right goes in the 4-speed. Its about 1/4" in diameter and about 1-1/2" long. I didn't have easy access to the button that goes on the other end, but its cylinderical in shape and about as tall as is around....

HTH

 

[Paul]

DUH........ okay now for the picture..... just a cheap way to up my post count as I trek toward 1000! Yea right......

 

[jordan]

I searched through a big bin of junk and I found the correct spring (the one on the right in the photo [thanks for the picture Paul]) now I just need to know what size bearing it is and the transmission can go back together. Anyone happen to know the size?

 

[Bill Strong]

Question...
Spring, ball, pad.
What order? I assume,
Ball in first.
Pad.
Then spring.
Then pan.

 

[Bill Strong]

Which way is correct?

1.

2.

 

[RallyBob]

Which way is correct?

2.

View attachment 434514

This way. Ball facing ‘up’.

 

[Bill Strong]

Coolio. Thank you!