Automatic shift linkage woes

[Nonmouse]

I have a '93 FWD Loyale wagon with the 3 spd auto tranny. Over the past month or so, the shifter has been getting more and more stiff. It's worst when it's cold out, and gets better (relatively) when the car warms up. Now it's gotten to the point where it takes a lot of force to move, and it won't shift all the way into park- though it's moving enough that the sensors will let the key be removed and start while it's still in reverse.

 

Anybody know what's likely going on?

 

Oh, and I know that the 3AT sucks, but swapping in a five speed really isn't in the cards this week...

Edited March 18, 2010 by Nonmouse

[ivantruckman]

hmmmm my lil auto did the same thing. i lubed it with wd 40 and it was better. ill look under it and maby get some pics. ill post later

[Nonmouse]

Update-

 

I tore the entire linkage out, from the handle to the lever on the side of the tranny, cleaned it up and lubed the linkages. Minimal improvement, so I disconnected the linkage from the shift lever on the tranny and checked the resistance there- very high.

 

I was considering pulling the assembly (the lever, a seal and presumably a bearing in an aluminium casing), so I removed the two bolts holding it in and was wiggling the mechanism to try and slide it out. Now it shifted easily, if the entire assembly was rotated. Obvious conclusion, the bearing or sleeve or whateverthehell in the assembly is tits up. About this time I decided that pulling parts out of an auto tranny without knowing exactly what's going to go "SPANG" off into the distance is a bad idea, so I bolted the bastard back up and called it a night.

 

So, does anyone know if this lever can be safely and easily removed and replaced, without cracking the case or other unpleasantness?