Ruckstell shift lock assembly

[Tmooreheadf]

I’m working on a Ruckstell shift lock assembly P158C, 26/27. The shifter when installed works fine. My issue is there is a lot of slop in the P-1014-A , not something worn out but a lot of movement in the lever as it moves with the shift lever. At the end of the lever where it attaches to the P-38 shift tube, there is about 1” of play that dictates to nearly 4” of play at the top at shift lever at the P-11 shift ball. I believe the bolt that holds the TP-123 shift arm lever has backed off causing that lever to be loose. My problem is, how to get to that bolt and lock washer to tighten it up? I’m thinking that the TP-98 has got to come out of the housing in order to gain access to that bolt. There is a small hole in the housing opposite of TP-98 that when a draft is positioned up against that shift lever and hit with a hammer, that shaft moves within the shift yoke, but not a lot. Several harsh raps with a hammer has resulted in 1/2” movement. I don’t want to break the housing trying to get the assembly apart but see no other way. Other than the slop in the shift lever, everything else is working fine.
Thanks for any disassembly suggestions!
Tom

[speedytinc]

The bolt in p123 has to be removed. Then p98c comes out the top. The shaft has a relief for the bolt. . Shift to get the bolt in position for the most room to remove the bolt. Or, If you remove p117b the lever will be free. The slop you have is a combination of wear in the flats of p98c & the H hole of p124 from the bolt being loose. The bolt sinches this together. There should be no movement between the 2 parts when tight.
"Several sharp wraps with a hammer" can only damage further these parts. I expect the bolt, p123 & p98c will need repair or replacement.
I have restored a few of these. Bolt head access is tight. If an open end wrench wont do the job, grinding clearance around the box end will.
The shift arm (p122a) is not a direct connection like the earlier shift lock. It acts on the leaf springs to move & overcome the plunger to snap into position.

[Tmooreheadf]

Thanks for the info. I'm still not seeing a bolt head. I'll look tomorrow when I go back out to the shop.

[speedytinc]

Do you have the shift lock off the axle housing? Look under the shift fork in the lock body. The p124 finger is below it.
In that finger a 1/2" headed hex bolt should be facing you. Its possible that bolt has fallen out or sheared, in which case a 5/16" hole is seen.