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I apologize for any generalities in this post, but I'm making them only because I have neither my mechanic nor his write-up at hand to use as sources.
According to my mechanic after the "college checkup" for my car, my automatic '89 sedan needs to have its "transmission linkage" either repaired or replaced. I know very little about this part, and searching online yields few clues as to what exactly it is and does (and VolvoWorld doesn't have any "transmission linkage" parts listed).
My question is, how crucial is it that this issue be resolved soon?
I am noticing no problems shifting gears because of some problem that could be the transmission linkage. (It does shift "off," but that's because the kickdown cable is disconnected and needs to be replaced.) The mechanic didn't give this problem a high priority, as well, because there were several other things (motor mounts and oil leaks) that he said needed to be done (and were fixed) first. This problem was pushed to the bottom of the list to be done "sometime in the future."
However, the transmission linkage has now become an issue with my parents because they would like that problem to be taken care of before the odometer is repaired, which is what I want (not running for nearly three years now!).
Should I really save my money for a repair of the "transmission linkage" instead of getting the odometer fixed, or is my car fine provided I take care of it and make sure not to run it too hard?
--
'89 244 GL--25/22 ipd sways, Volvo truck amber turn signal lenses
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The posts are correct that the issue is most likely the nylon bushings. However, failure of these bushing can cause the linkage to drop down ~1/2 inch which will hit the OD solinoid and destroy it. To prevent the destruction of the OD solinoid and the expense and hassle to replace it get the linkage repaired now.
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Thanks to everyone for the help!
I'll definitely get the transmission bushings replaced soon, if that is indeed what is wrong (there's a little looseness in the shifter, so that sounds right), because I definitely don't want to lose the OD solenoid! I'd love to do this repair myself, but this one I'm leaving up to a shop. If the bushings are only $0.85, then the repairs couldn't possibly be more than $50. I'll try to get them to put in the kickdown cable I got, as well (ugh, ScanTech, but that's all that I've seen online).
Oh, yeah, my reverse lights don't work, as well, so I'm hoping it is the bushings that are the problems! I'd love to get those working, and then once the odometer is repaired, my Brick has zero problems!
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'89 244 GL--25/22 ipd sways, Volvo truck amber turn signal lenses
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Yancey,
If you can jack and support your car or get it onto a pair of ramps, you can do this job. As Kane said, you only need to remove two small clips using needle-nosed pliers or a small screwdriver. Just make sure you memorize which end of the linkage goes to the tranny lever and which goes to the shifter lever. Make a sketch if you need to. You'll get dirty, true, but you'll have an extra $50 jingling in your pocket when you're finished, plus a smirk of satisfaction at having become a bit more self-reliant.
Glen
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'88 240GL, '90 240DL, '91 240
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... plus a smirk of satisfaction at having become a bit more self-reliant.
Yep. It's the sense of accomplishment - that I can prove to myself that I can do this - that means even more than saving the few dollars.
Not every repair is going to be DIY - beyond knowing how to do something, opportunity costs exist with every task, (evaluate the time spent versus the dollars saved). But on a lot of the smaller repairs, you win out on your end.
This isn't a tough job at all, and as I see, there isn't much to go wrong. Don't get intimidated and go for it!
-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40
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Is there a place to lube the shift linkage? Maybe this would make it slide/shift more smoothly?
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Nope, no lube needed. The linkage is soooo simple. Long rod, special ends, one end threaded on for adjustability.
Each end is a flat piece with a round hole into which a pin from the tranny (or shifter) fits. Then the nylon bushing fits, over the pin and inside the hole.
A flat clip on the end of the pipn Keeps the pin from slipping out (fun driving if is does, BTDT).
Get new bushings and new clips (if possible) and spend a hour with the car on the oil change ramps.
Good Luck,
Bob
:>)
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The bushings are available from FCP Groton for about 85 cents, two are required.
I just replaced these in my 1984 245 since I was working in the area. Although both bushings had disappeared over time, there didn't seem to be any particular slop in the shift mechanism. I really couldn't tell a difference after the new bushings were in.
My opinion, get that kickdown cable replaced first.
Regards,
Mike
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With the linkages, it's usually the bushings.
To check ... when shifting between gears, is there a lot of slop in the shifter? In reverse, are there times in which the backup lights will not light up? That's a sign that that's all that's at fault.
Proper fix is to replace the worn (or missing) bushings with perhaps some nylon bushings. Cheap fix is to cut a sliver of 1/8" hose. Total time for repair should be under 15 minutes, as all it takes is to remove two clips and push out the linkages.
-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40
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only thing that comes to mind is the shift linkage bushings. the rest of the linkage is simple and sturdy. i can't imagine what else could be wrong. good luck, chuck.
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