Ruckstell shifts backwards?

[bobt]

Hello. This is my first post. I own two model Ts. The first is a 1926 roadster and my favorite is by 1915 touring. Both cars have Ruckstell rear ends. On every Ruckstell rear I've seen, The arm on the rear end faces inward and the on the 1926, it does too. When the Ruckstell shift lever is FORWARD it is in HIGH. On my 1915, the arm on the rear end faces outward so when the shift lever is FORWARD, it is in LOW? I have learned to live with this but I would like to standardize them so both cars would shift the same. How hard is it to remove and turn the shift lock lever on the rear end of the 1915 180 degrees? Thanks, bobt

[Wayne Sheldon]

It may depend more than a little bit on what sort of work was done on it in the past. It would appear something was not done correctly. It also depends a bit on whether it is the earlier or later shift/lock assembly. I don't offhand recall which one is easier to work on. I know one style (just don't recall which one?) is fairly easy to get in backwards. I have heard of several people doing so unintentionally. I have also heard of a few people doing that deliberately for some reason or another. If it were mine, I would want it correct. Best bet is to take the offending shift/lock assembly off and see how difficult it will be to correct it. With a little luck? It may be a simple take apart and put together the right way. If not? It may be better to get into it and fix it right sooner rather than later anyway.

[Henry K. Lee]

Robert a lot are pretty simple to fix by removing the shifter from the rear housing. Remove the pin or set screw, rotate a hundred and eighty degrees out. Should work well for you.

Mr Smith, your tone towards others really has no merit! Please restrain your rudeness as this kills the hobby. Just my three cents.

To All a Good Day,

Hank in Tin-A-See

[Norman Kling]

You cannot reverse the shift lock on the axle. However, if the rod connecting the shift lever next to the driver to the axle were to be installed above the fulcrum it could shift backward. This would involve modifications to the shift lever inside the car rather than on the axle. [attachment=0]Ruckstell shift.jpg

[bobt]

Thank you mr. original smith. This is my first post on the forum. Is this the respect I will get on future questions? I think I'll just find another model T forum. bobt

[Scott_Conger]

Bob

Most of us are happy you're here. I am, that's for sure.

Email sent.

[RGould1910]

Bobt, if your shift lock is like a Perfecto, the shifting lever can fit into the fork one of four ways because it's a a square fit where it enters. If that's the case it's simply a matter of reversing the lever 180 degrees and changing the connecting rod to fit.

[Original Smith]

How are we supposed to know when a post is a persons first post? Next, since your question says it shifts backwards, doesn't it make sense to turn it 180 degrees and the problem will be solved?

[Sarikatime]

Robert, it may help to get a ruckstell book from Chaffins garage to explain the whole correction process. While you are at it, talk to Dave, the guy that picks up the phone at Chaffins, and he could also give you a lot of information. They make all the ruckstell parts. Frank

[Henry K. Lee]

Mr. Smith,

His first sentence states that.

Out of respect to all, we are here to help everyone. We are a club first, and as time progresses, friends, family, brothers and sisters.

We should never judge but assist as we do not know others background in their mechanical abilities.

We are only stewards in time filling the gap, God Speed to All!

Hank

[StanHowe]

Robert, just ignore the posts from a few people. It won't take long until you figure out who they are. Now get a big sheet of white paper, draw a nice border design on it and with your best Sharpie, print "The Loudest Boos Come From the Cheapest Seats!! Thumbtack it to your wall and every time somebody makes a snarky comment just look up at it and say YUP!!!

Now to your question. The shift arm in the shift lock has an indent where a bolt goes through to tighten the collar on the arm inside. When all parts are new the arm can only be installed one way. In rebuilding old Ruckstells I sometimes found that the other side of the arm had been filed to allow the bolt to go through so the arm could point to the outside of the car instead of the differential. I have no idea why but somebody thought it was a good idea at the time. Lost to history and time.

So there is how to fix it. Remove the shift lock by removing the three bolts that hold it on. Looking at it from the inside you will see a clamp bolt. Remove that bolt, pull the arm up until you can turn it to the inside and push it back down through the collar. Replace the clamp bolt and tighten it tight. Replace the shift lock on the housing making sure that the inner bolt (the slot head one with the nut) is tight before you put the nut on as this holds the internal locking plate tight (along with the short bolt on the top of the housing) It should now shift correctly.

[Norman Kling]

If the lever on the axle faces toward the wheel, then you have an incorrect shift lever. You can order a brand new one from the vendors, or look for a good used one at swap meets. It might be possible to disassemble the shift lock, but I have never done it, so will not comment on whether it could be possible.
Norm

[StanHowe]

There is nothing to the early ones. The late "long nose" style is a little more complicated but not all that much.
Take it off and fix it. It's a half hour deal at the most.

[Joe Reid]

Is the shift mechanism on the axle 90 degrees off. Was the shift lever placed incorrectly on the yoke? Do you have the early or later rear shift?

[bobt]

IT'S FIXED!! Thanks for all the help and useful information. I removed the shift lock lever and installed it correctly and it now shifts like my 26. Cased closed! Thanks again, bobt

[Wayne Sheldon]

Success!
Thank you for the update.

[Henry K. Lee]

Glad to hear Robert!

Hank