Author Topic: m20 tranny stuck in neutral  (Read 10674 times)

Offline Low87c10

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m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« on: April 23, 2009, 08:18:52 pm »
I have an 87 c10 with the muncie m20 transmission. Somehow I got the gearshift lever stuck and it won't move. I took the retaining cap off the top of the transmission and the gearshift would not even lift out. Anyone have an idea how to fix this? I really don't want to get it towed to a trans shop if this is a simple fix.

(I know...make sure the shifter is in the gate before you bang it in next time...)

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2009, 09:51:59 pm »
make sure the wheels move freely and line it up in neutral. Try rocking it.
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Offline Low87c10

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2009, 10:34:38 pm »
It rolls no problem. I just can't move the gearshift lever at all.

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2009, 07:59:40 am »
I meant rocking the shifter side to side.
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Offline Low87c10

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2009, 09:10:09 am »
No, it doesn't. Can't move the lever at all.

Offline Blue 82

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2009, 06:31:37 pm »
I took the retaining cap off the top of the transmission and the gearshift would not even lift out. Anyone have an idea how to fix this? I really don't want to get it towed to a trans shop if this is a simple fix.

(I know...make sure the shifter is in the gate before you bang it in next time...)

Sounds like he has an SM465
A  Muncie M-20 does no have anything on the top
Did this happen while trying to speed shift from second to third?

does your tranny look like this?
« Last Edit: April 25, 2009, 06:35:35 pm by Blue 82 »
82 stepside 2wd 355/th350/3.08 posi

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2009, 08:00:31 pm »
Good point blue, I missed that. Th M20 isn't a top loader.
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Online zieg85

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2009, 08:51:21 pm »
RPO M20 is the toploader 465
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline Low87c10

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2009, 12:01:04 am »
Thought the RPO m20 was an M20 My bad if it isn't. This is def a toploader tranny. Same granny gear 4 speed that I vaguely remember being in my dad's 68...in 1968! This happened going from neutral to 2nd (maybe first). I was kinda irritated as it died in an intersection and had just pushed it out of the way. I was standing outside the truck, reached in and thought I'd banged it into gear, but didn't. All in all, a very bad day.

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2009, 02:54:26 pm »
OK so it's a top loader and do you have the shifter removed?
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Offline Low87c10

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2009, 08:13:19 pm »
Yes, It's a top loader, and no, the shifter is jammed in. I've removed the retaining cap and spring, and the shifter should just lift out, but doesn't. I also cannot move the shifter in any direction.

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2009, 11:19:33 pm »
To remove the shifter depress and rotate the retainer collar. Did you do that? Maybe you have it partially disengaged.
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Offline Low87c10

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2009, 10:56:46 pm »
The retainer,  half round collar and spring are all out and in the glovebox. what is left is the shifter and a flat aluminim collar that is pressed onto the shifter shaft. This collar has 2 slots on it (one on either side) rides between 2 pins that are pressed through the housing.

Offline Low87c10

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2009, 01:45:23 pm »
Guys, anyone have any ideas?

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: m20 tranny stuck in neutral
« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2009, 04:40:03 pm »
Man I don't know what to tell you. Nothing should be holding it in. Take some pix, wiggle it around, try some penetrating oil . If that dosn't work smash it with a bfh
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10