Who has manual trans and transfer case shifter rattle? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Pont · 10-10-2002, 06:35 AM

Very excessive in my truck. If I hold on to or apply pressure to both sticks, it's soooooo nice and quiet in the cab. Is this a linkage bushing problem? Anyone tackled this problem and what all is involved?

I'm running the SM420 4 speed and Rockwell T221 transfer case.

Thanks
Rob

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-10-2002, 08:10 AM

Is the rattle while moving at speed(55) or while idling?
Have you checked your tranny/motor/TC mounts?
Does the whole truck vibrate or just the drive train?
Could it be the tires if at speed?

I have SM465/NP205 with no rattle.

Pont · 10-10-2002, 08:36 AM

Jims70GMC, sorry, I could have been more specific. Stick rattle is not at idle, it is while I'm moving and mainly while I'm accelerating. It does rattle under compression, but not as bad. It doesn't matter what speed, 10mph, 30mph or 60mph. All mounts are solid. It's not wheel or tire balance as the truck rides smooth, well as smooth as it can with my lift/wheel tire combo. The tire shop and myself spent alot of time getting these things balanced well. The worst wheel/tire combo is about 2oz. out of balance. The truck rides better than it did at stock height. It's not a vibration in the truck, it is definitely loose or slopy sticks. I can grab the 4spd stick and it will get quieter (which is why I usually drive with one hand on the stick. If I use my forearm to apply pressure to the 4spd stick and use my hand to push up or pull back the T/C stick, all noise goes away. It makes me think it's loose linkage, and that may be the case on the T/C but the 4spd stick top loads into the tranny so I have no idea what's involved with making that noise go away.

Hope this helps to clarify..........

**Yukon Jack** · 10-10-2002, 10:13 AM

Boardmember Brandon gave me this advice on this issue:

Shifter noise on the t/c. Mine had a lot of play, you'll notice the linkage is simply the shifter and a large square flatheaded bolt that links directly to the shift lever on the t-case. My parts were pretty worn so I took a piece of 1 inch diameter pipe, cut it into an inch in length and filled it that liquid steel epoxy. I then drilled through it a hole the same diameter of the shaft of that big flatheaded bolt. This "bushing" kept the bolt perpendicular to the shifter and the shift lever. No more binding or loose shifter rattle.

69gmcfleet · 10-12-2002, 09:34 PM

I have a SM465 and Rockwell T-case in my truck. Both are original with 116,000 miles, and they do exactly what you say especially the T/C. I just drive it like hell.

palallin · 10-14-2002, 12:17 PM

I have the SM 365/Rockwell T-221.

The rattle used to be very bad; a lot of it was from the very loose and limp T-case shifter. Now that I've got a tight T-case, that rattle is gone. The tranny shifter rattles some, but it's hardly audible compared to the gear whine and the exhaust leak

1969 GMC · 02-17-2003, 02:36 PM

I just drove my truck about 800 miles from Minnesota to Ohio, and I became ver familiar with the rattle you are talking about. My truck has an SM465 (I assume since it is a '69, haven't checked for sure yet) and the Rockwell T-221. Only the t-case shifter gives me problems. At first, the truck produced a symphony of strange noises, most of which I slowly weeded out. The antenna would whip in the wind, the drivers door wasn't all the way closed, the fresh air vents have minds of their own (once blowing all the way open and shooting a ton of dead leaves and pine needles into the cab while I was driving on I-90). Also, the passenger side vent window was loose, but that was easily fixed by sticking a nickel and a penny under the latch...my dad calls it the 6 cent fix :p

NAPCO ken · 02-17-2003, 05:10 PM

try running a bungee cord around the shifter and hook under the seat...that should apply enough pressure to eliminate the rattle.

Erl · 02-18-2003, 02:17 PM

I have the same problem on my 68 3/4. I am planning on using bellville washers on all the pin connections to elliminate the slop. Bellville washers are a type of spring washer and come in many sizes. I may also install some Garlock bushings to help tighten things up a bit. These linkage parts are steel on steel and will wear over time due to vibration, making the problem worse. I just have not gotten to it yet.

Conroe trucker · 10-13-2008, 02:54 PM

There is an article somewhere, amybe the Colorado K5 site that addresses this with a fix.
We are rebuilding mine now, and I will make this mod.
As a note, mine were quiet all the time, or else I did not notice it from all the other sounds, but it did not even have shifter boots..........

mudmizer · 10-13-2008, 09:46 PM

Back when I still had the 221 case I took a piece of hose, 3/8 I think, and slipped it over the bolt that goes through the big hole on the flat leaver on the case. That got rid of the metal on metal rattle of the linkage, well most of it. worked pretty well.

10-10-2002, 06:35 AM	#1
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	Who has manual trans and transfer case shifter rattle? Very excessive in my truck. If I hold on to or apply pressure to both sticks, it's soooooo nice and quiet in the cab. Is this a linkage bushing problem? Anyone tackled this problem and what all is involved? I'm running the SM420 4 speed and Rockwell T221 transfer case. Thanks Rob __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

10-10-2002, 08:10 AM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Few questions: Is the rattle while moving at speed(55) or while idling? Have you checked your tranny/motor/TC mounts? Does the whole truck vibrate or just the drive train? Could it be the tires if at speed? I have SM465/NP205 with no rattle. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

10-10-2002, 08:36 AM	#3
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	Jims70GMC, sorry, I could have been more specific. Stick rattle is not at idle, it is while I'm moving and mainly while I'm accelerating. It does rattle under compression, but not as bad. It doesn't matter what speed, 10mph, 30mph or 60mph. All mounts are solid. It's not wheel or tire balance as the truck rides smooth, well as smooth as it can with my lift/wheel tire combo. The tire shop and myself spent alot of time getting these things balanced well. The worst wheel/tire combo is about 2oz. out of balance. The truck rides better than it did at stock height. It's not a vibration in the truck, it is definitely loose or slopy sticks. I can grab the 4spd stick and it will get quieter (which is why I usually drive with one hand on the stick. If I use my forearm to apply pressure to the 4spd stick and use my hand to push up or pull back the T/C stick, all noise goes away. It makes me think it's loose linkage, and that may be the case on the T/C but the 4spd stick top loads into the tranny so I have no idea what's involved with making that noise go away. Hope this helps to clarify.......... __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness" Last edited by Pont; 10-10-2002 at 08:39 AM.

10-10-2002, 10:13 AM	#4
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Boardmember Brandon gave me this advice on this issue: Shifter noise on the t/c. Mine had a lot of play, you'll notice the linkage is simply the shifter and a large square flatheaded bolt that links directly to the shift lever on the t-case. My parts were pretty worn so I took a piece of 1 inch diameter pipe, cut it into an inch in length and filled it that liquid steel epoxy. I then drilled through it a hole the same diameter of the shaft of that big flatheaded bolt. This "bushing" kept the bolt perpendicular to the shifter and the shift lever. No more binding or loose shifter rattle. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-12-2002, 09:34 PM	#5
69gmcfleet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oneonta, NY, US Posts: 103	I have a SM465 and Rockwell T-case in my truck. Both are original with 116,000 miles, and they do exactly what you say especially the T/C. I just drive it like hell. __________________ Jeff '69 GMC K2500 LWB, '74 350/SM465/Rockwell T-221, cnD44/ffD60, 3.73 gears, 31" BFG's (originally had 305ci V-6) '05 VW golf '84 HD Sportster XLX '68 GMC K2500 parts beast

10-14-2002, 12:17 PM	#6
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,238	I have the SM 365/Rockwell T-221. The rattle used to be very bad; a lot of it was from the very loose and limp T-case shifter. Now that I've got a tight T-case, that rattle is gone. The tranny shifter rattles some, but it's hardly audible compared to the gear whine and the exhaust leak __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

02-17-2003, 02:36 PM	#7
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	I just drove my truck about 800 miles from Minnesota to Ohio, and I became ver familiar with the rattle you are talking about. My truck has an SM465 (I assume since it is a '69, haven't checked for sure yet) and the Rockwell T-221. Only the t-case shifter gives me problems. At first, the truck produced a symphony of strange noises, most of which I slowly weeded out. The antenna would whip in the wind, the drivers door wasn't all the way closed, the fresh air vents have minds of their own (once blowing all the way open and shooting a ton of dead leaves and pine needles into the cab while I was driving on I-90). Also, the passenger side vent window was loose, but that was easily fixed by sticking a nickel and a penny under the latch...my dad calls it the 6 cent fix :p __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

02-17-2003, 05:10 PM	#8
NAPCO ken Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: anaheim, ca Posts: 187	try running a bungee cord around the shifter and hook under the seat...that should apply enough pressure to eliminate the rattle. __________________ ken '58 Chev NAPCO 4x4 short '60 GMC Suburban 4x4, restored '60 GMC 3/4T stepside 4x4 '64 GMC Suburban 4x4, restored '90 Chev Suburban 4x4, dually, ZZ502 '77 GMC Suburban 4x4, one ton axles, 12" lift, 39.5"s '88 Chevy crewcab dually 4x4, 10" lift, 42"s (x6!) '03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon '79 Chev 3/4 Suburban 4x4, 400-400-203

02-18-2003, 02:17 PM	#9
Erl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 555	I have the same problem on my 68 3/4. I am planning on using bellville washers on all the pin connections to elliminate the slop. Bellville washers are a type of spring washer and come in many sizes. I may also install some Garlock bushings to help tighten things up a bit. These linkage parts are steel on steel and will wear over time due to vibration, making the problem worse. I just have not gotten to it yet. __________________ 1968 GMC 305 V6 3/4 4x4 Stepside 06 Corvette Daily Driver Dallas TX

10-13-2008, 02:54 PM	#10
Conroe trucker SWBs: 67 2x4, 67 4x4, 70 4x4 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 483	Re: Who has manual trans and transfer case shifter rattle? There is an article somewhere, amybe the Colorado K5 site that addresses this with a fix. We are rebuilding mine now, and I will make this mod. As a note, mine were quiet all the time, or else I did not notice it from all the other sounds, but it did not even have shifter boots.......... __________________ FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 4x4 FINISHED Project thread: 67 SWB 6 cyl cruiser Project thread: Road Toad 70 SWB Step, 4x4, 292, 3OT 01 C5 convertable 08 Z06

10-13-2008, 09:46 PM	#11
mudmizer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bellingham, washington Posts: 260	Re: Who has manual trans and transfer case shifter rattle? Back when I still had the 221 case I took a piece of hose, 3/8 I think, and slipped it over the bolt that goes through the big hole on the flat leaver on the case. That got rid of the metal on metal rattle of the linkage, well most of it. worked pretty well. __________________ 68 4x4, 454, 4 speed, disk brakes both ends, Sold my 69 SS396 Elcamino when young & stupid

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