I also have a 903 transmission with 3 on the tree column shifter in a Dodge A100 1965, the gearshift control adjustments bushings are toast and the whole linkage is loose. The shifter is working, but I would like to replace the bushings or the whole package if a rebuilt was available.

I need help to find one of two possible solutions:

1) find a complete setup or a rebuild kit with new bushing, washer, fitting, pin and pin retainer, spring washer and regular washer.

2) take it apart and machine new parts

Please let me know of any suggestions on replacing or improving this linkage and tightening up the linkage.

I am also interested in a transmission cover boot.

903 linkage photo in service manual


current linkage




missing bushing


transmission boot


The a100 van is otherwise in near perfect stock condition.

Well, the closest thing I could find locally for the upper linkage bushings was washers and a nylon spacers/bushings. They need a little futzing with but I'll use them for now.

The lower ones were pretty floppy too but they don't look like they were designed to take a bushing so I might just tighten them up with washers.

I'm hoping I can get by using the stock column shifted stuff for now. The engine out of my wrecked Valiant will go in tonight with the three speed from the new Valiant so maybe I'll be driving the new Valiant by the weekend!

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Scott - waywardgarage.com
Why is the rum always gone?

I was thinking the same thing, nylon bushings and stainless washers. Just wondering if the crew here thinks that's reasonable?

I noted the column shifter was manufactured in the the 60's through 88 so there must be parts available for the bushings? bushing parts numbers?


Could you describe the bushings, size, is there just one at the post moving up and down or are there others on the main shaft of this mechanism? I have nothing left but metal and it's very loose?

I am concerned that if I take it apart the whole thing will go to pieces and never go back together? Dan, Chuck, Doug? Bueller? help?

Shelby, I'll take pictures of everything when I put it back together. I have one complete OEM bushing, spacer, and washer setup, the rubber bushing is t-r-a-s-h-e-d but it let me pick the the nylon bushing out easier. Got it at my local OSH hardware.

Crossing my fingers hoping this works, Poppa's tired of spending a jillion bucks feeding the thirsty beast I've been driving!

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Scott - waywardgarage.com
Why is the rum always gone?

There is nothing "high tech" with these shifter assemblies... they are just made of "cheap" materials that were never intended to last this long.
Make some notes & take photos as you take things apart, then find, make, rework the parts needed to fix the worn-out or broken pieces you find.
DD

Is there a part number on the OEM hat bushing and spacer washer?

Where is the rubber bushing? Is it around the center post?

My Duster had 24,600 original miles on it. It jammed up first trip down the street.

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's

93 D350 Cummins THD Maxfuel 35mpg parts to hit 400hp+ Suncoast Cat2 A518, converter DDP Stage III injectors 62/64 HX35, 3 piece manifold, 4" Diamond Eye, Gear Venders OD. Stage I street/tow PDD head on order.

I am having a shifting issue, grinding when attempting to put it any gear. The a-903 is rough or impossible to shift once the car is running but otherwise works perfect when the motor is stopped.

It does have a new clutch and the gears are all in good shape. I have tried to adjust the clutch and it feels fine if the car is in gear but generally grinds when shifting while the motor is running? I read a bit about ensuring the clutch is aligned with the mesh? Any more info?

I have tried the linkage alignment per these instructions and moved the collar up and down with no improvement?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repair ... 528007ff37

Any ideas?

The column shift can shift okay. If you have access to a lathe you can make new metal bushings to replace worn or missing rubber bushings. With all the slop that's in the linkage of most of these, shifting can be a pain in the neck

Turns out the (new) clutch was bad and didn't work, replaced and now I am testing. Thanks for your help

I once had a Dart with the non-sync (to 1st) column-mounted three speed. It would hang up going from 1st to 2nd if you went diagonally. If I held it toward me and lifted it out of 1st into "high neutral" (heading for reverse), lowered it to middle neutral, then pushed the stick away and up, it went into second every time without the lockup and the trip under the hood to free the mechanism. Worked every time!

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Never seen a Valiant I didn't like!

I wouldn't give up my column shift for anything, I learned to drive on it many decades ago and it's something unique to older vehicles. It really floors some people, "I don't get it, it's an automatic, but it has a clutch??"

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I also love a column shift!
Hey could be worse, could be a "manual without a clutch!?!?"
VW comes to mind.

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Mattelderca
78 NYB (gone now), two S series, three old Snow Cruisers and a Doo.

I'd love to see their reaction to mopar with a clutchflite transmission...

a903 transmission boot

Looking for a transmission boot for a903 transmission

Dodge 170 1965 manual boot for linkage into to transmission.

Suggestions welcome. Thanks, Paul