L322: Stupid Mistake

t77911s

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2004
400
0
2005 L322, 4.4:

So I did a trans service this afternoon, and when putting the selector lever nut back on the shaft, I overtightened the nut, now it just turns, cannot get the nut on or off. The selector lever in firm, no play so it may just stay put, but My choices are:

1) Leave it alone until next time when I drop the pan, hoping the nut will stay on, maybe putting some red loctite to help secure
2) Drill a small hole thru the nut and stud to run a wire thru to secure
3) Cut the nut off, hoping I can run a die of a different size to recut new threads
4) replace the selector shaft, not sure what is involved in this. I cannot believe I did this, I am usually so careful when tightening nuts, but I just did not think about the shaft not having threads all the way around as a standard 10mm stud would have.

LeverremovaltolowerTransmissionpan2.jpg
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pdxrovermech

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2009
1,807
57
Portland, OR
what if you use a pry bar on the nut while trying to unscrew it? I would actually put the pry bar behind the linkage. usually works for me in similar situations. If you get it off i would suggest running a die over it, maybe 5/16 NC. I 'd hate to have it work itself loose.
 
Apr 20, 2004
6,926
223
Floyd, Virginia
for now i would leave it alone...especially if it works.. More than likely it will be fine since the cable is secured and holds it in place.
You could get into a major job here ..why bother?
Maybe get some washers and cut them in half to fill the gap so the lever does not slip off.. use an adhesive that can be removed in case you see the day you have to remove it again... At that time you can address the stripped threads and rethread the stripped shaft.

More than likely never.
 

whatroad

Banned
Mar 8, 2007
631
0
Union, ME
I'll try to be as delicate as possible here... if this little glitch has you stumped, you have zero business putting a wrench anywhere near your truck. :rolleyes:
 

t77911s

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2004
400
0
Of course the last two responses were the most helpful....I used loctite and just left it alone. 7 years, 197,000 miles, 5 transmission fluid and filter changes, and it has not moved.
 

t77911s

Well-known member
Sep 16, 2004
400
0
Melt plastic out with torch. Remove nut. Run next smaller die, SAE possibly to remain as close to original as possible.

Excellent response and thanks. That's exactly where I was headed after I thought about it for a while, but it ended up holding just fine so it's OBE now. At 200K now, it's just no longer an issue.

I've rebuilt both vanos, replaced the timing chains, guides, every intake gasket, waterpump, alt, every rad and cooling hose (twice), driveshaft, transfer case motor, and both front air springs/struts. Its actually been a pretty easy truck to work on....Drives incredible, so I'll prob just keep it, as its not worth anything.

Just bought a 97 NAS 90, so have a new toy....and wife wants a LR4 so that's next.


tim