Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

[keithwand]

When I put the car back in the garage with my foot on the brake; going from D to R seemed OK and smooth but going from R to P it felt like the linkage was sticking/ hanging up and it made kind of a cranking noise.

I did it a few more times and it did the same so decided I better run it past you guys in the know.

It might be my imagination but it also felt like the brake pedal was a little soft when I first started the car but it braked well while out. The fluid was chnaged a few months ago.

Bear in mind the car has 2,800 miles give or take.

Can the linkage be lubed?

Any thoughts?

[farmbird]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

I can only tell you what causes it on GM products, but I'm sure it's the same on T Birds. The cable is starting to seize and needs to be replaced. Most of the time is was because there was a ground strap missing on the engine or transmission. The cable becomes the ground and because of the steel windings inside the conduit, it become magnetized and eventually seizes. Even if your ground strap isn't missing, it wouldn't hurt to add one. I've also seen fan clutches burn pin holes in radiators by trying to become and ground in place of those straps. If you run the eninge in the dark you can sometimes see the electircal spikes shooting from the clutch to the radiator.

[Ediron]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

Keith I don't know the answer but with the low milage I would take a stab in the dark that this is the problem

[DavidA]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

THings happen when the cars are not driven enough to keep everything loose and lubricated. Not driving can be worse than putting on high mileage.

[V8 Cat]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

Just interested in why the brake fluid was changed with less than 3000 miles on the car. I don't have the owners manual in my hand, but I have a maintenance schedule from the Ford dealer and no mention of a brake fluid change anywhere. If the car is garaged even though it is 6 years old I really don't see a need in changing it, but I guess the owners manual could say differently.

[keithwand]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

It has actually been changed annually the last 2 years. When the cap was removed there was a film or scum like substance on top. Better safe than sorry so had it sucked out and replaced.

OK, other low mileage birds and I know you're out there. Any symptoms or is the noise and some binding common?

[00mustng]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

....I'm guessing the quadrant isn't quite lined up with the gear selection causing the cranking noise from R to P.....I bet you could re-create this issue on cue....I bet it's just a minor adjustment..... should'nt have worried about the film on the brake fluid reservoir....it's common....I bet the dealer told you it needed to be changed? ....sorry was that question too cynical?

[04birdman]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

2800mi......thats the problem

[keithwand]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

2800mi......thats the problem

Lately we ask ourselves if we really need the car. We LOVE it but at 500 miles a year we hardly "need it or a 2nd car".

We only put on average 8K miles a year on our other car.

We live in area where we can walk or bike to grocery, bank, CVS, Best Buy, a Mall, Post ofc and the list goes on.

Who knows maybe after Toms last cruise this fall (Birthday Cruise) it will be time to move on as without the cruise adding fun and a few miles it may not be worth it although it sure does look good in the garage.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

Lately we ask ourselves if we really need the car. We LOVE it but at 500 miles a year we hardly "need it or a 2nd car".

We only put on average 8K miles a year on our other car.

We live in area where we can walk or bike to grocery, bank, CVS, Best Buy, a Mall, Post ofc and the list goes on.

Who knows maybe after Toms last cruise this fall (Birthday Cruise) it will be time to move on as without the cruise adding fun and a few miles it may not be worth it although it sure does look good in the garage.

HOLD ON UNTIL NASHVILLE 2012, WE WANT TO HAVE "A GATHERING OF THE GOLD" THERE.

[Sandman]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

HOLD ON UNTIL NASHVILLE 2012, WE WANT TO HAVE "A GATHERING OF THE GOLD" THERE.

I don't think Keith would drive it that far,would probably have it trucked,can't put more than 500 miles a year,lol.

[keithwand]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

I don't think Keith would drive it that far,would probably have it trucked,can't put more than 500 miles a year,lol.

Ron is right. That would add 3-4 years of driving in just 1 trip!

[Lindy]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

Who knows maybe after Toms last cruise this fall (Birthday Cruise) it will be time to move on as without the cruise adding fun and a few miles it may not be worth it although it sure does look good in the garage.

Keep my name on your list as a potential prospective buyer ;-)

Lindy

[keithwand]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

Keep my name on your list as a potential prospective buyer ;-)

Lindy

OK

[keithwand]

Re: Linkage Sticks and Noisy from Reverse to Park

ALL is well.
Everything runs the way it should and the shifter is smooth as butter. Maybe it was because my driveway angles down a bit and that had something to do with it.