Gear shifter rotating...

[travyoung]

I went to shift my 79' series 3 into reverse yesterday and rather than the gearbox stopping itself for me to push up for reverse the lever started rotating clockwise. She still shifts through gears fine with a little extra wrist work to keep the lever squared up. Any ideas for what broke?

[stomper]

There is a set screw on the right side of the shift ball just above the tunnel. It rides in a groove, to keep the shifter from rotating. It is either loose, or sheered.

[travyoung]

Perfect! Thanks for the easy fix.

[80sailor]

Yep, that's it.

Had it happen on my S3 as well.

[stomper]

I had mine let go in the white mountains of New Hampshire. Lots of shifting I was able to fix it "in flight", much to my wife's amazement.