Parking rod problems

[chargd72]

I recently pulled the VB out to replace the shifter seal in my 904. Got it all back together and I can't get the transmission into park. All other gears work the same as before but now it gets stuck between reverse in park. Did I mess something up with the park rod? Didn't change anything.

[don duick]

disconnect the shifter rod and put the lever into park and with the shifter in the park position check if it lines up. If not you will have to re adjust it. repeat this process with the lever and shifter in 1st gear.

[chargd72]

It's something sticking inside the transmission. Lever won't go in park with the shifter disconnected either. That's why I think the parking rod is the culprit.

[John_Kunkel]

The park rod might be installed below the pawl (see pic below) instead of to the right where it belongs.

One way to prevent this is to clock the snap ring all the way clockwise so the lower ear on the snap ring covers the gap and guides the end of the rod into the proper position.

[chargd72]

Well sh!t. I just sealed the thing up. Everything I read just said to make sure it went in the correct hole. Didn't know it could seat incorrectly.

[ACUDANUT]

The park rod might be installed below the pawl (see pic below) instead of to the right where it belongs.

One way to prevent this is to clock the snap ring all the way clockwise so the lower ear on the snap ring covers the gap and guides the end of the rod into the proper position.

Good info !

[ws23rt]

  Another great tid bit and good photo to give clarity.

[don duick]

sorry I did not realise what the park rod was now I understand.

[chargd72]

Thanks for the pic, John.  Looking at the picture again, if the rod seated bellow the pawl I think the shifter would still be able to make into the park position.  It's more like something is obstructing the rod stopping the lever right after the reverse position.  Either way, I'm probably screwed and have to take it apart, ... again.

[John_Kunkel]

The "knob" at the rear of the park rod is spring-loaded to allow shifting to Park regardless of the pawl position but that only works if the rod is in the correct position against the rear of the tapered ramp.

[chargd72]

Does anyone know if this would render the transmission useless?  Since I had the pan sealed up I thought I'd at least see if I fixed the shift lever leak.  I started it up and ran thru the gears and none of them engaged.  I posted this question the the General section but didn't get any bites.  Any help is much appreciated.

[chargd72]

John, you nailed it.  Pulled the VB back off this weekend the the rod was stuck behind the pawl just like in your pic.  Should be good to go now.