Shift Linkage

[Chris Elwell]

I'm just about finished up with building a new shift linkage for my car, and I'm wondering if a lubricant should be placed where the shift rod and rod ends meet. Is something simple like motor oil, grease or WD-40 ok, or is there a certain type of lubricant to use around rod ends? It's a 4130 bare rod and an Aurora carbon steel rod end for reference. Right now there is a medium amount of friction preventing the rod from sliding through the rod end easily.

[TED K.]

Polish the rod with some 1500 paper where it contacts the rod end and apply some molykote.

Ted K.

[Mark Filip]

Chris can you take picture of your shifter and send it to me or post it on here? Are you using the Womer shifter? I may change my set up, it does not give a very positive feel going from 3rd to 4th.

Mark

[Chris Elwell]

Mark, some photos are below. I'm replicating what was on my car, which I assume was the standard Womer design. I started out just replacing the u-joints and rod ends, but then I noticed one of the rods was bent and they had two different sized holes where the u-joints bolted on (and previously used two different types of u-joints) so I ended up replacing all the rods except for the first one that the shifter attaches to.

[Mark Filip]

Yup that looks like my set up.