Shifter won't move from low gear

My 72 Ranchero GT has developed a problem. We were trying to move it and when my dad got in it to back it up he tried putting it in park and it wouldn't move so then he tried putting it in another gear and he ended up getting it stuck infirst. At first I thought the linkage had broken and gotten jammed but I looked underneath and everything looks intact but I can't move the shifter at all and I can't shut the key off. There is also a slight grinding noise when you turn the steering wheel. Any ideas on how to fix this?

 

Issue maybe the shift cable or in the colume.Disconnect linkage at tranny,see if arm moves freely.

 

I'm trying to figure out how to get a tool in there. Dang glasspack is right next to it. Working on the ground with ants doesn't help either...

 

Seems to be a problem in the column. i'll just have to leave it alone for now

 

Just for gigs,knock the roll pin out on shifter arm,remove and inspect.May get lucky..

 

I had a similar problem with my '65, 3 on the tree automatic. I could shift gears from under the hood by moving the bell crank towards the end of the steering column which connects to the shift linkage. But I could move the shift lever inside the vehicle all I wanted and it would do nothing. The tab on the end of the shift tube had broken off. Had to replace the shift tube. Pain in the butt, but wasn't all that bad although getting the new shift tube in place was quite a treat.

 

What really sucks is that I can't even get the steering wheel off to inspect anything else. Its a racing wheel with stripped 4 mm hex screws

 

Small locking pliers should be able to get them broken loose.

 

Ok, bringing back a dead thread. I took off the shift linkage, and it still wont move. I will drill out the bolts holding in the steering wheel. Before I tear into the column, is there something I should be looking for? Shifter wont move at all

 

Ahhh ... hard to figure out what you did? With the linkage disconnected at the trans, you =can't= move the lever it attaches to? By that I mean the shaft that goes into the transmission, not the linkage. If you can't move it then the problem is inside the transmission.

The steering wheel should come off by just removing the center nut (15/16" maybe). Figure some way to get a wheel puller to grip what remains. As I understand what you wrote, removing the wheel by drilling will still leave the adapter attached to the column.

Please ignore this if I guessed it all wrongly.

 

What kind of Ants..Fire Ants?

 

Just pop the column out. Then you can work on it on a table, instead of in the dash

 

Linkage is disconnected at the column. As to irradicate all issues concerning the linkage itself. Has a racing wheel with hex screws, then the adapter plate comes off.

 

Yep, and lots of em

 

Never done that before. Don't know what it involves

 

Actually fairly easy, as I've had both the '74 and '79 columns out. The shifter cable is undone, and there's no cluster, so go underhood and find the steering shaft 'biscuit,' coupled to the steering gearbox input shaft. Undo and remove the pinch bolt. Go inside, remove the shifter cable from the bracket, if the bracket is on the column end. Undo the electrical connections on the neutral start, ignition and turn signal switches. Remove the bolts that hold the rubber boot at the firewall, then go remove the bolts that hold the main part of the column to the dash framework. Have someone remove the biscuit from the input shaft and guide it through the firewall as you lift up and pull the column through.

 

Wow. Sounds like a full days work. I will get to work on it next week, I suppose, but what then after I get the column out?

 

It will allow you to work on the column on a workbench or table. I'm wondering if something came undone, and has jammed the shifter arm. you might be able to see into the back of the column head, as well as inspect the shift tube, simply because it's out of the car. But I assure you, even if you do all the work yourself (I have), it's likely only a couple hours max to remove it. Then working on it will be a lot easier.

 

I pulled my column out and replaced it with a floor shift model in about 4 hours.
You will have to work under the dash, under the hood, and under the car. Disconnect everything with the dash strap left for last.
While you have it apart, replace the steering shaft bearings.