I've searched but every thread just seems to relate to the linkage.

So I've never torn down one of these transmissions.. (B series hydro)

I have a recently rebuilt trans with new ITR LSD, LS 5th, etc..

I've had a bit of wiggle in my shift linkage for a while and thought that was all that was causing my issue, but after making my linkage solid, I'm still getting some left/right 'freeplay' before I feel any sprung resistance on the shifter.

Looking under the car, I can see the rod on the transmission moving equally with the linkage, as in, there is no play in the linkage - definitely shouldn't be..was dark when I last looked but I JB welded the knuckle to try and remove slop..

Pushing shifter forward/back is solid, no play at all. Left and right feels good once it gets to the sprung part, but has some movement to get there.

In my researching, I see the SF SCHA has a stronger return spring that helps this - is this the only spring responsible for right/left movement? I've looked at service manuals but I can't seem to find pics/visualize how the rod actually interacts with the shift change assembly and forks, pretty much all pics are from the top side of the bellhousing/clutch cover and that's where the SCHA sits but the rod is on the other side of the diff below.

I saw another 'detent' style spring in that area too, not sure if that has anything to do with it (different from the 2 detents that can be accessed with case on)

I assume the two other detents hold the shifter in place when it's forward/backward but don't affect left/right?

I mean I literally JB welded the 'knuckle' on my shifter (plan on replacing it soon with aftermarket anyway) to get rid of the left/right slop, which helped as there was some there - but then revealed this problem.

My bitch pin is tight a/f, so it shouldn't be rotating there. Perhaps I'll take a video tomorrow in the light.

 

When you say you made the linkage solid, what do you mean?

The universal joint on the shift linkage has rubber bushing in it that wear out and cause the sloppy feel. @Hasport sells a kit to replace the rubber bushings with a hard plastic (probably Delrin). Adding JB weld to the universal joint will not solve any of your problems.

 

The JB weld removed all the slop from the joint.

The slop that's remaining is inside the transmission - not part of the linkage. After driving it, it's really not bad, but my long shifter still exaggerates it and I've been trying to work it to perfect.