ZFS542 Spring?

divemaster5734 · Jun 25, 2024

Pulled the shifter off to change the oil today and found this spring sitting on the transmission, just above the shifter.
There is a good possibility the spring fell from the engine compartment, or the dash, and I just didn't see it because it was laying against the top of the shifter mount.
I pulled the 8 bolt gasket mount off the tranny, then pulled the 4 bolt shifter assembly off on a bench.
I didn't see anywhere the spring could have gone, and it was dry.
I've just never played around with a ZF before, and wanted to make sure before looking for other sources.

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BlindAmbition · Jun 25, 2024

Please put a dime or something near it for scale. Could be a detent spring

Rdnck84_03 · Jun 25, 2024

BlindAmbition said:
Could be a detent spring

I was thinking the same thing. @divemaster5734 are all of the press in plugs still in the shift tower? I believe there should be 6 of them ( they look like tiny freeze plugs) they are what hold the shifter detent ball and spring in place.

James

XOLATEM · Jun 25, 2024

Under the four-bolt cover there is an interlock plate to keep you from going to reverse from 5th, IIRC...

It is spring loaded....your spring looks to me like the one that loads that interlock plate...

https://www.justanswer.com/uploads/muddyford/2008-01-25_201811_2.png

Look at #'s 14 and 13...and look for a steel ball...

ROCK HARVEY · Jun 25, 2024

I had the same thought xolatem did, that looks like the 5-R interlock spring.

ROCK HARVEY · Jun 25, 2024

You know what though, if it was sitting on top of the transmission it probably is a detent spring. If the freeze plug worked its way out, the spring could pop out and end up right there. In this picture you can see where the three detent covers are, with one cover removed so you can see the spring. Do you have all 3 plugs installed?

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divemaster5734 · Jun 25, 2024

BlindAmbition said:
Please put a dime or something near it for scale. Could be a detent spring

Rdnck84_03 said:
I was thinking the same thing. @divemaster5734 are all of the press in plugs still in the shift tower? I believe there should be 6 of them ( they look like tiny freeze plugs) they are what hold the shifter detent ball and spring in place.

James

XOLATEM said:
Under the four-bolt cover there is an interlock plate to keep you from going to reverse from 5th, IIRC...

It is spring loaded....your spring looks to me like the one that loads that interlock plate...

https://www.justanswer.com/uploads/muddyford/2008-01-25_201811_2.png

Look at #'s 14 and 13...and look for a steel ball...

ROCK HARVEY said:
I had the same thought xolatem did, that looks like the 5-R interlock spring.

ROCK HARVEY said:
You know what though, if it was sitting on top of the transmission it probably is a detent spring. If the freeze plug worked its way out, the spring could pop out and end up right there. In this picture you can see where the three detent covers are, with one cover removed so you can see the spring. Do you have all 3 plugs installed?

The project is about 30 minutes from home, and very remote, without wireless, so I can only check messages after I get back.
I think you're right about it being the detent spring, which is also why it wasn't covered in oil.
I won't have a chance to get back here until late. Really appreciate your input.
Thanks

divemaster5734 · Jun 25, 2024

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You guys were correct, it was the detent spring.
Thank you, very much!

IDIBRONCO · Jun 26, 2024

At least that was a relatively easy fix. You don't see that very often.

divemaster5734 · Jun 26, 2024

IDIBRONCO said:
At least that was a relatively easy fix. You don't see that very often.

For sure.
I got seriously lucky the spring fell onto the transmission and stayed there, and that I hadn't yet installed the new transmission pan with the stick shift cutout.
There were better odds it would have dropped into the transmission instead, and that could have caused a whole lot of grief before being discovered.
Started this project eight months ago, and really only dove in because I was so woefully ignorant of exactly what was in store.
It's finally getting to the end point and I'm still mostly sane.. go figure.. lol

ROCK HARVEY · Jun 27, 2024

divemaster5734 said:
Started this project eight months ago, and really only dove in because I was so woefully ignorant of exactly what was in store.

This was my situation 100%. I have a great running truck now, but wow it was a bumpy road to get there.

ZFS542 Spring?

divemaster5734

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