broken main shift lever

[SafeAirOne]

I think that's why they changed the design on the SIII. It needs dampening.

Not sure what is being suggested here, but my SIII shift lever snapped about 3/4" above the shifter ball IIRC.

To add insult to injury, it snapped off just as I was decelerating into the security checkpoint at a military base during the morning rush. The guards had to unceremonially push my rover off to the side to let several dozen other cars behind me into the base.

I showed up to work with black hands that morning...

[JimCT]

heat treating

You can weld it if you want, but unless you properly heat treat it, it will break again in the area of the weld.

[kevkon]

Not sure what is being suggested here, but my SIII shift lever snapped about 3/4" above the shifter ball IIRC.

To add insult to injury, it snapped off just as I was decelerating into the security checkpoint at a military base during the morning rush. The guards had to unceremonially push my rover off to the side to let several dozen other cars behind me into the base.

I showed up to work with black hands that morning...

Yeah, mine broke as well. I was suggesting that LR was aware of a problem and made an attempt to mitigate it, attempt being the key word.

[SafeAirOne]

You can weld it if you want, but unless you properly heat treat it, it will break again in the area of the weld.

I've proven that, though I did get almost another year out of the old one before it re-broke.

[SafeAirOne]

Yeah, mine broke as well. I was suggesting that LR was aware of a problem and made an attempt to mitigate it, attempt being the key word.

How? By the use of the plastic buffer instead of the o-ring on the bit that engages the transmission shift forks?

Incidentally, the lever that snapped on me was the o-ring type. My replacement plastic-buffer type has lasted 3 or 4 years so far...

[yorker]

I think that's why they changed the design on the SIII. It needs dampening.

Series IIIs break as much if not more than SIIs IMHO. At least as far as the original trucks exported to NA are concerned.

[kevkon]

Ok, I give up,why do you guys think the steel lever is breaking? What is the average Series driver a lot stronger than any other truck driver?

[SafeAirOne]

Ok, I give up,why do you guys think the steel lever is breaking? What is the average Series driver a lot stronger than any other truck driver?

Stress cracking from vibration at certain frequencies would be my guess...

[CMorris]

After my third broken lever (right at the top of the ball), I brought the broken lever and ball to a fab shop that has made all kinds of parts for me. They drilled out and tapped the ball, then welded rod to the end of the lever and threaded it, added a locking nut.....all set. So, in a pinch if and when this one breaks again, I have a long grade 8 bolt I can thread into the ball (hopefully it breaks high enough for vise grips to get a bite), and shift the truck so it can at least be moved. The fab shop is going to make a lever for me out of something exotic to hopefully end the breaking problem. The shop did send the ball out to a company that heat treats/hardens steel but they need to dissect it to determine what process to use (so not hardened yet), if anyone has a sacrificial-lamb shift ball they want to give up I could use one. So, eventually I hope to end up with some sort of titanium/heat treated/hardened set up............

[TedW]

I have a NOS spare lever kicking around if anyone wants it.

It's the kind with one bend in the shaft and no threads at the top - S2, I think. I need the one with two bends in the shaft and threads for the 'shroom top.

Send me a PM if interested.

Ted

[mrdoiron]

It's the kind with one bend in the shaft and no threads at the top - S2, I think. I need the one with two bends in the shaft and threads for the 'shroom top.

Send me a PM if interested.

Ted

Here is how my shifter is configured / welded (don't be thrown off by the low profile firewall mounted subwoofer - I tried to stealth it up a bit) :

[rbonnett]

Seeking a replacement

The shift lever in my SIII snapped off yesterday - I managed to limp home with the help of my mole grip replacement

Our hosts are out of stock with no ETA for more - anyone have one they want to part with? This is for a '72 SIII with the press on knob.

Thanks

[mrdoiron]

shift Lever - shaft angle mod help ?

Posting here on this thread as well as another to try an get some feedback/advice/leads...
I have a LT77 gearbox on a RHD of a hybrid mod, and the shift lever essentially is straight vertical to the knob. Problem is the Reverse on this is up and the left (by 1st), and I almost need to lean to get it into R, and there is not a natural / easy feel even to slide to 1st due to the reach required.

I am searching for any experience / advice on how to resolve buy either :
1. Ideally a custom offering of a shaft angled toward the driver somewhere to resolve ? (again would need to angle toward driver on right in my case) , or
2. Tips on how to heat up/bend the existing shaft without causing another problem, weakening the shaft and creating a potential 'snap point' etc...

Any leads/tips greatly appreciated, mike

[kwd509]

The shift lever in my SIII snapped off yesterday - I managed to limp home with the help of my mole grip replacement

Better late than never. Pleased to see this thread.....in 1972 I was 15... almost had my license and was learning on the rover when the gearshift snapped off in my hand.....boy was my dad pissed.

A new part was ordered but was so slow to come that the repair was made via a weld...... and it lasted till this day, though the truck was dormant from 79 on. I guess when it is running again a spare ought to be ordered....

Years later I am gratified to learn that it was not just me......

[HybridIIA]

Posting here on this thread as well as another to try an get some feedback/advice/leads...
I have a LT77 gearbox on a RHD of a hybrid mod, and the shift lever essentially is straight vertical to the knob. Problem is the Reverse on this is up and the left (by 1st), and I almost need to lean to get it into R, and there is not a natural / easy feel even to slide to 1st due to the reach required.

I am searching for any experience / advice on how to resolve buy either :
1. Ideally a custom offering of a shaft angled toward the driver somewhere to resolve ? (again would need to angle toward driver on right in my case) , or
2. Tips on how to heat up/bend the existing shaft without causing another problem, weakening the shaft and creating a potential 'snap point' etc...

Any leads/tips greatly appreciated, mike

When I installed a LT77 in my truck, I just cut off the bottom of the original LT77 shift lever and welded the IIA lever to it. That way I didn't have to deal with bending anything and could pretty much position the lever any way I wanted.