Finding two blown out shift rod bushings explains a lot of the free play in the shifter but a closer look at the tail end of the shift rod shows considerable wear on the metal "ball" that engages with the transaxle selector rod. It's no longer round but worn a fair amount on one side. Anyone ever try welding up the low spot and reshaping it? This is a early tail shifter model. Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

Yes it’s easy to do. I did mine with my wire feed welder and had good results. Used a die grinder and dremel tool to round it out.

There is also wear at the edges at the end where the rod contacts the cage on the trans shift rod. That cage also will wear. Building up these wear points and carefully reshaping can really help our old tailshifters.

Oh cool, time to drag the mig welder from its corner.

I'll have to give it a look, if I remember correctly, there is a roll pin holding the rod to the internals once you remove the rectangular cover.

A triple rolled pin. You'll need a new gasket for the cover/access plate too. I would buy 2 of each.

I've done that a few times. I weld it up larger and then grind it so it'll barely fit.

Thanks all!

My left hip joint had the same condition, doc opened things up and inserted a new titanium joint. Good as new.

I used brass shim stock once, carefully shaped to fit between the ball and the cage, to eliminate free play.

If you do undertake this, please photo or video the process. I'd like to really see how you do it.