Under the car, the rod that connects the shift lever to the transmission should have bushings at each end. Without them there's about 5/8" slack in the connecting rod to pivot arms. Is this sufficient slack to prevent shifting the car into reverse?

When I move the shifter into P, N & D, it engages the trans for that gear.

thanks, Bob

R is next to N , between P and N, so try on each side of the shiftgate Index for R to make sure you are not in N or P b/c of bushing slop...
If you can not find R anywhere between P and N ,that is not the problem
[ make sure you wait on each side b/c R takes a little slag of time to engage.]

You can also tell if the trans gear selection is in the correct R position by having someone tell you when the Back-up lamps are ON as you fool with the shifter. If your NSS was aligned before no R , then it should still be in the R shaft position of the tranny, regardless of the shifter link or bushings.
Meaning lamps shoud be the same position as R engagement position of shift shaft that goes into the tranny. You have BU lamps and no R , you have a likely trans R clutch problem [ kinds common]

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A Dalton

Hi Arthur,

I hope you're enjoying the summer and doing well.

Last night when I prepared to back [R] uphill onto my carport was when it wouldn't engage R. Therefore I just drove around block and drove in nose first.
Now it just engaged all gears, but with clunking from rear [diff. axles drive shaft]. Front & rear flex disks look good, only a little seepage on one axel at diff.

Any thoughts?

First sign of R going is when you are backing on an incline..[ more load on R]

However , no R on incline is also the first sign of low fluid level, so check that right away on level surface. [ Hot]

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A Dalton

Assuming R is going, is there a way for inde or good tranny shop to determine condition without pulling tranny. And I was so joyful the other day to get her to 165k this year.

Fluid level was ok a few days ago, but I'll check it again tomorrow after daylight test drive.

Why the clunking [as in slack] in rear end?

Could be flex disc, but when R is going, you can get that same effect.

Usually when R is going, it is usually preceeded with a time delay going into R for a while.

Check the fluid first.
And search No reverse...tons of info b/c it is the first complaint on these trans w/miles on them.

I did a few with a hopeful filter /fluid change when they started showing signs , but it did not help.

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A Dalton