I finally got around to installing these parts (from last Spring...
)...
Anyway, the seat had disintegrated; this is what permitted the lever's ball to move around, causing the lever's looseness - all that was left was the integrated "washer" at the seat's base. And - the
only things in the compartment were the fragmented remains of the seat. NO rust or water or goop of any kind! Nashville was very kind to Goldie!
The slots in the ball were unworn - not like
skyerunner's.
The bushing at the end of the lever appeared unworn, but I replaced it anyway. The boot was quite cracked but intact (I had zip-tied it together last year).
I used the plumbers' silicone grease on the various plastic parts, silicone spray on the boot and dollops of chassis lube on the shifting shaft and the "cover" under the lock ring. The gasket came off kinda intact - I coated it and the mating surfaces with Permatex red sealant.
Incidentally, the two front bolts on the cover were a lot easier to access than I thought; I used a regular combo wrench, although I did have to
whack the wrench with a hammer to break loose the bolts. The cover itself was fairly stuck and took some gentle prying with a BA screwdriver.
Boy, did it make a difference in the shift lever! It was pretty loosey-goosey before and now is really solid! Well worth the effort and $.
Tom M.
