Hello, I have a 1986 240 DL wagon automatic. My ex mechanic changed my transmission mount but didn't adjust the linkage. The gear shifter was pushed too far forward past P which was causing the car to not start in P. When I took the car back, the mechanic refused to adjust it without charging me a lot more. I got tired of shifting to N to get the car to start so I decided to adjust the linkage myself. The bushings were completely gone on both ends of the transmission linkage. I took the linkage off and was able to get the rear bushing installed, but I can't get the forward linkage (toward the front of the car) in. I spent about 2 hours on my back under the car trying to squeeze the bushing into the forward arm but there is such a small area that no matter what I tried, I couldn't get it in.

So my question is, what is the trick to squeezing the front bushing into the arm? Is there a special tool? Can the arm be removed? Please help.

Thanks in advance.

-Blake

By the way, while I had the linkage off, I adjusted it so now the gear shifter correctly lines up with the safety starter switch next to the shifter. I can now start it in P and the back up lights come on when in R like they are supposed to.