monkey motion problems -644 trans/shifter linkage install

[Robin Robbins]

So, in the process of putting the 56 A back together, I find when I try to hook up the shifter linkage/monkey motion assembly that it doesnt quite work-the "ears" dont quite cover the ball portion -and would come loose when shifting through the gears, if I left it at that. Possibilities-is the transmission itself out of alignment/canted a bit to keep the parts from lining up properly? Any ideas?

[Mark Pribanic]

Can you post a foto?

[Robin Robbins]

I take it this is not a common issue. I will see about getting a clear picture.

[Brad Ripley]

Maybe this illustration will help

[Robin Robbins]

Untill I can get a picture, the ball on top of #25, which fits between the "ears " of # 36 when assembled, doesnt. About half of the ball sticks out to the right (looking toward the rear) of the outer lateral edge of the ears. Does that image make sense?

[Norm Miller]

Is #26 right side up?

[Brad Ripley]

Here's what it says in the 356A Workshop Manual --I pasted the pages to condense things a little -- maybe it will help.

[Vic Skirmants]

Thanks Brad; that should help him.
Norm: GOOD question.

[Rick Albro]

Robin, have you checked to make sure that both studs are still in place that the mechanism anchors to? Have you check to make sure that the transmission mount is still there? The "ball and the elephant ears are tied to the two studs that the mechanisms bolts to the body and the input shaft of the transmission. Check the transmission mounts at the motion mechanism and the mounts that are on the Hoop on the engine side.

[Robin Robbins]

Thanks for posting the photos-I have the shop manual and the parts catalog but Im still stuck. #26 is right side up, its still attached to #31. As far as I can tell, the studs that #24 attach to are where they should be. By transmission mount, do you mean the front transmission mounts (the rubber hockey pucks on either side of the front end of the transmission)-if so, yes. I have loosened the mounting on the
transmission at the front mounts and at the ring support in the rear but that doesnt seem to give any slack (or to be misaligned). Thanks for the input-my confusion continues and any other ideas are appreciated.

[Vic Skirmants]

A photo from you should clear it up.

[Robin Robbins]

Hopefully this shows what I'm talking about.

[Martin Benade]

Is the trans nose centered in its hole? Also is the vertical axis of piece 25 vertical, or is it leaning? It looks like it leans, but that may just be the picture playing tricks.

[Robin Robbins]

The vertical axis of #24 is vertical. My thought was that the shaft of the transmission was not perfectly aligned as that was the only other part that could really deviate. What I dont know is how to adjust that-I loosened the front and rear mounting bolts (of the transmission) but that didnt really allow any adjustment of the angle. I feel like Im missing something really basic here but Im not seeing how to adjust that alignment.

[Greg Scallon]

Hello Robin,
If you loosen the set screw on part #36, then loosen and rotate part #20 counterclockwise a bit (as viewed in your last photo), I believe part #36 will rotate clockwise. This should align its ears over the ball.

Make sense?

-Greg