How to? C Clip for shifter linkage on firewall

[Redcrew71]

71 f250 ordered a c clip that holds on the column shifter linkage rod going down to the tranny. just up against the firewall.

How the F@## do you put this on. I tried for 2hrs to push it on and no go...quite flimsy thing.

[sargentrs]

Yeah, it's a royal PITA! Especially if you've replaced the rubber bushing in the lever. The barbs on the clip go against the rubber. I had to grind off the brass sleeve in the bushing a hair. Then I took 2 pairs of vise grips on opposite sides of the rubber bushing and squeeze the rubber, compressing it enough to expose the groove in the rod. Then I used channel locks to grip the bottom of the rod and the top of the clip to get it started. Then removed the channel locks and tap it the rest of the way down with a hammer and brass bar I have. After it's down, remove the vise grips. If still too tight, shave a little off the flat side of the rubber on your bench grinder. Go slow or you'll melt the rubber. I think the aftermarket rubber bushings are made too thick.