Gearshift Selector rod ball spring ?

[James_Douglas]

Hi all,

My 3-speed transmission has two very different Gearshift Selector rod ball springs in it. Different coil size, different coil count, and different free lengths.

According to all the MOPAR books I have, they should be identical.

I have two sets of part numbers. One is 852633 and is listed as:

852633 1940-54 TRANS GEARSHIFT BALL SPRING,PU

852633 40-54 G’SHIFT SELECTOR BALL SPRING W/ GYROMATIC, TIP-TOE

852633 1940-54 G’SHIFT SELECTOR BALL SPRING W/ GYROMATIC, TIP-TOE

I also have in a Desoto master parts book 1112614 with a description of 13/32" OD, 1-3/8" long, and 14 coils.

Does anyone have a set of matched springs out of a transmission that they can measure for me?

I would like to know the free length, number of coils, the OD, and the wire thickness. I can then match it up and get some new springs.

Thanks, James

[James_Douglas]

Someone out there has to have a 3-speed on the bench...

If so, please pop off the two plugs on the side cover and fish out the springs and tell me the size...

I need to get two springs, but like I said mine are two different sizes so I have no way to know if one or the other is correct.

Thanks folks, James

PS, that is the last part I need to button up my trans and then swap it in.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Call handy Andy or Frank Mitchell.

[Niel Hoback]

I have two on the bench here and both of them measure exactly 2" long. The diameters are .42 inches. Hope this helps. These are from a non-overdrive trans.

[James_Douglas]

I did...Andy does not have waiting on an answer from Frank.

[James_Douglas]

Neil,

If you have a dial caliper..can you tell me the wire diameter and also the number of coils. Century spring has a number of them in that general size range and with the wire size and number of coils I can get very close with one of their springs.

Thanks, James

[Niel Hoback]

There are exactly 18 full turns of wire. The wire is right at .060 diameter. I am trying to estimate the pressure to collapse one 1/2". I can't seem to co-ordinate myself and a ruler and a scale without firing something across the room, but I will say there are quite stiff.

If I had another set I would just send these off to you, but you know what happens when you don't have a spare of something.

[James_Douglas]

Niel,

Your are the best. Don't worry about the the pressure. With the wire size turns and length, they can figure out the rest...

When I have some part numbers for new springs as replacements, I will post them.

Thanks, James

[James_Douglas]

Niel,

Looks like the choices are:

OD----length----Rate----Max Def----Wire Dia----Total Coils----Max Load----Material

0.420----2.000----21.000----0.920----0.055----14.800----19.00----MW

0.420----2.000----18.000----0.730----0.055----14.800----13.00----SST

0.420----2.000----28.000----0.860----0.059----15.400----24.00----MW

0.420----2.000----24.000----0.680----0.059----15.400----16.00----SST

0.420----2.000----36.000----0.790----0.063----15.800----29.00----MW

0.420----2.000----31.000----0.630----0.063----15.800----19.00----SST

I think that matching the OD and the length is the most important consideration. The springs provide the resistance against the shifter rails via the steel balls to prevent the shifting rails from changing gears without the driver moving the shifter forks. The balls only lift up the depth of the groove in the shifter rail. It looks like about 1/8 inch or less.

So the critical property for selection is how much pressure down on the balls? Looks like the choice is between 13 pounds on the one end and 29 pounds on the other.

So the real question is...how much pressure did MOPAR want on those shafts ? What are your thoughts ?

Best, James

[Niel Hoback]

I would rather have to make more of an effort to shift gears than to have the trans come out of gear. So, a stronger spring seems like a good idea, it wouldn't make a lot of difference and what could it hurt?

On the other hand, if its such a simple thing, why did Chrysler use so many different springs?

F'rinstance, if you had a large heavy crystal gearshift knob, you would want a stronger spring to keep the trans in second and reverse. If you had a weeny little baby arm, you would want a weaker spring. Getting pretty silly, no?

[James_Douglas]

I may have to get a low-med-high set and put the med in and see how it goes. It is not hard to pop them out after the trans is in and try another set if necessary.

It appears that Chrysler used the same spring part numbers as replacements for 1946 to 1955. so I guess it is not that critical...

James

[Dodgeb4ya]

Why don't you use washers to increase/decrease spring pressure required to shift your R10.Or maybe make special adjustable depth screw in 3/4" nuts -that way you can adjust the spring tension on the shift rails. You don't want to buy Chinese or India made steel springs. Any US made Amola steel probably would be the best bet. Another material-Chrome silicon 401.

Bob

[James_Douglas]

Washers could be used, but since I have access to 4 or 5 springs, why not figure out which one works best and stick with that. Century spring in LA makes the springs in their plant in the LA area. Not imported to my knowledge.

Best, James