Shift Rod Guide

The shift rod guide holds the shift rod bushing. The guide usually doesn't go bad unless the bushing has worn out. When this happens, the shift rod rides directly on the guide and wears it out. The guide is spot welded in the tunnel. To replace it, pull your shifter out. Pull up any carpet around the shifter. If you look close you will see three spot welds on each side. Use a 1/4" drill bit and drill out the spot welds. The guide should fall down. Now for the fun part. Disconnect the rear shift rod coupler. Lift the front hood and remove the center cover plate. Under the front end you will see another cover plate between the two front axle tubes. Remove this cover. Fish the shift rod out the front. Yes, it can be done. Once out, install the new bushing in the guide and put the guide back on the rod and then put the rod back in the car. Use the bolts from the shifter to hold the guide into place. Weld the guide back in using the spot weld holes you drilled. As you can see this job sucks, so it is a good idea to keep an eye on the bushing. Be sure to use white grease on the shift rod where it rides in the bushing. On Buses it is a lot easier as the guide just bolts in with the shifter.