Shifter fork alignment

[Great Lakes Greg]

I am doing a shift tower seminar for my local club, and have a question about a car I drove some years back. When I went to second, the gear was pushed too far and went into another neutral, if you get my meaning. Pull back on the lever a little, and the car would proceed in second like it should. I attributed this to a bent fork. Is there a way to see a bent fork, that is, if it's bent, is it obvious?

 

[Tom Endy]

The attached article may be of help.


Tom Endy

 

[Great Lakes Greg]

So, not so obvious. It would be difficult to eyeball the bent one. Thanks Tom.

 

[heneste]

Bear in mind, if the tower is replaced on the transmission in haste, sometimes the forks don't engage the gears in the proper slots and can be bent slightly when trying to test the installation.

 

[Jerry Kzoo]

Greg,
When looking at Tom's article and the bend I can't see where that would slide the gear all the way to another neutral on the other side!

Jerry

 

[Great Lakes Greg]

Seems unlikely, doesn't it? I also recall on the one-two shift, I hit my knuckles on the dash. The throw was way too far.

 

[Brentwood Bob]

The ball on the end of the shift lever was more likely worn square.