That darn reverse lock-out!

[mlt503]

I've been putting off replacing the rag-joint on my restored '72 until now...and boy do I wish I never worked on it. Replaced the rag-joint just fine and am really pleased with the resulting greatly improved steering, but I can't seem to properly adjust the cable and lever for the lock-out. All too frequently I get this awful metallic grinding sound a little like gears trying to mesh.
It's a 4 spd and I'm positive I hear the sound from the cable area around the lever that's secured onto the firewall. The trans works fine, always has with no change now.
One thing, I noticed the key doesn't return to the "start" pos. What's bothering me is there's so much slop built into the cable adjustment, I'm afraid it will eventually start burring reverse gear.
I searched for this topic under different key-words and found no help, so here I am.....
thanks and take it easy,
Mark :cry

 

[rponfick]

What I've done on the few I've owned is disconnect the cable from the lever. Be sure the lever is in the proper position to start and run, but the system is more trouble than it is worth. Constant putting in reverse to get key out causes extra wear on all components in my opinion.