86 Wagon Push Button speed 5 difficult reverse

[ironworkerboomer]

I have an 86 Wagon I'm having issues getting it in reverse. I got the car with PO saying there was no reverse. I got it into reverse much closer than the normal feel of falling into gear, closer to 4th than you would think. Is this a shifter fork that's wore out or? I am swapping this one out for a DR, but want to know what to fix for a future build. All the gears are smooth as silk and no noise. Cold its a bear to find the "sweet" spot warm just knowing where to put it is good. I hope to find the cause of this to re-purpose what we have.

Thanks for any input. 

[wagonist]

How much does the shifter move around when it's in gear?

There's two plastic bushes in the linkage at the stick end which wear out. Usually makes it harder to get into the end gears.

[ironworkerboomer]

i't doesn't seem to have much slop, not as much as my brat by any means. I will check that out for sure thanks for the reply.

Edited May 20, 2016 by ironworkerboomer

[ferp420]

if theres any issues with second or forth you could try adjusting the shifter linkage there are 2 bolts on the bottom of the shifter plate usaly covered by dirt and road debries loosen those and you can slide the shifter front to back about a 1//4 inch that should be enuff adjustment to get reverse back

[ironworkerboomer]

I just got home last night I will try that 

Thanks Ferp