MaxIV - Bent Transmission Pusher Rod?

[getwilde]

I'm curious if anyone else has had any problems with the approx 4 foot long transmission pusher rod (if that's the correct name?) which extends from the shifter lever (near the front seat) to the rear transmission linkage. Mine is bent and bows excessively when I try to shift. It was in this condition when I bought the machine(used), and while I've pulled it out and straightened it a couple of times now, it immediately bends again upon usage. The hollow metal tubing has either weakened over the years, or was too soft to begin with... or maybe the transmission is too sticky and putting too much pressure on the pusher rod. At any rate, it makes it pretty difficult to engage Forward or Reverse.

I'm curious if anyone else has had this problem and what they did about it. I'm considering trying to straighten it (again) as well as possible, then weld shallow u-channels down it's length to reinforce it one or more sides. But I have two problems...
1) My 6x6 is far away at my cabin so I can't check what kind of clearance I have, if any.
2) My welding experience is limited.

Any ideas or suggestions?

[hydromike]

I've not heard of the transmission shift rod bending before. When you shift, the rod should just about push arrow-straight on the rest of the linkage. Someone must have really been yanking on the shift lever to bend it in the first place. If it's been bent a number of times, it may have fatigued and need replacing, or fabrication of a new one.

I realize it was bent before, but what are your shifting habits? Remember not to use excessive (rod bending) force when shifting your T-20. The collars move nice and easy when they're lined up with the drum teeth. If they're not lined up, jostle the lever lightly forward and backwards while jostling the machine a little bit. If it doesn't go easily, don't force it. It's a common phenomenon with even brand-new machines.

Some machines have a better shifting setup than others. The Max IV isn't horribly bad, but can be difficult.

~m

[getwilde]

I realize it was bent before, but what are your shifting habits? Remember not to use excessive (rod bending) force when shifting your T-20.

Thank you for the prompt response. I'm pretty gentle when shifting -- I try to rock the machine back and forth, etc. I think the bent push rod has forced me to be! As you mention, the metal has probably fatigued.

I'll contact a local metal fab shop today and see what it would cost to have them build a rod. Thanks again for the suggestion.

[TalSet]

you might want to check and be sure that your diamond shifters are not frozen. also, it could be that one of your diamond shifter pins has broken off and is jamming it from moving. check this out before going to a welder or fab shop

[getwilde]

you might want to check and be sure that your diamond shifters are not frozen. also, it could be that one of your diamond shifter pins has broken off and is jamming it from moving. check this out before going to a welder or fab shop

As a matter of fact, one of my diamond shifters *was* frozen. I'm in the process of rebuilding my T20 transmission right now because of that. But my transmission pusher rod was actually bent/flexing long before that happened.

Regarding the frozen shifter... the weird thing is that its pin is still intact, rounded, with no signs of grinding. The rubber o-ring looks good too. So I have no idea why or how it froze up like it did. I'm just hoping that when I install the new seal kit (from Recreatives), put everything back together, fill it up with trans fluid, and mount it back in my 6x6, it doesn't happen again!

[hydromike]

Check out the teeth on the shifting spool where they mesh with the drums. The shifting spools are pretty hard, and they tend to round off or "mushroom" the teeth on the drum if the transmission was shifted often while it was spinning. Once they engage, the mushroomed-over teeth make it quite difficult to disengage with the shifter. I've had this happen ona couple different T-20s. It could be completely unrelated, but it's something to look for....

~m

[getwilde]

Now that you mention it, I haven't really inspected every piece for excessive wear or damage like I ought to while it's all sprawled across my worktable. I'll do that tonight. Thanks for the advice.