Shift linkage slop/wear- how to fix?

[Guest]

It's a classic GS issue. What's the best way to deal with the wear and slop that always develops on this shift link? Aren't the two parts dissimilar metals that can't be tack welded together? Seem to remember that from the past. Staking with a punch and hammer didn't work long term, either. (Any repairs would be done on back side).

Just live with it (last resort), replace with a new part...or is there a proven fix you guys can clue me in on?

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[Nessism]

If the slop is in the ball you have no choice but to replace the parts. If the ball stud is wobbling where it attaches to the shift arm then staking is the answer. I fixed a linkage this way anyway.

[bwringer]

These seem to often get loose where the ball stud is swaged into the cast and chromed lever.

I've tack welded these with good results. Welding never really works well on cast (especially with a layer of chrome in the way), but all you need is a few small spots of metal to fill the gap; you don't really care about penetration. A few quick zaps with a wire feed welder also don't heat up the part too badly, so you can leave it assembled.

If you can get it apart, brazing would work very well, but you'd be heating the part a lot more.