Farm Equipment - WD 45 Shifter woes

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WD 45 Shifter woes

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=209221
Printed Date: 25 Jan 2026 at 6:58am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: WD 45 Shifter woes

Posted By: IBWD MIke
Subject: WD 45 Shifter woes
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2025 at 4:52am

Guys, need a little help. Pulled the shifter off the NFE 45 to change the gasket, it was leaking some out of the right front corner. Shifter has always worked fine. Tore it apart, yeah that gasket was done for, easy to see why it was leaking. Anyway, going back together the lower end of the stick got out of the forks. I can get it back where it belongs but it won't stay there. Not sure if some of the springs are tired or what. Really didn't want to tear this thing all the way down but may have to? Pretty sure if I can get it back together it will outlast me.

Replies:

Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2025 at 11:15am

Mike,

Maybe shift forks have moved? A good light and a long stiff screw driver you may need to get the forks back into the neutral position? Now that I think about it I think the forks need to be in the second gear position to get he shift lever to be properly aligned as you insert the shifter?? I could be wrong and someone will be a long soon to help. I did a little work on the innards of the WD45 we did some repairs on. The info is on here somewhere.

Regards,

Chris and Cheryl

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D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet.

Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2025 at 7:01am

Thanks Chris. Going to have to dig up that old shifter thread you did years ago and see If I can find anything in it that will help. I've moved all three forks both directions, detents are all good. Just not sure why I can't get the stick to stay captured?

Posted By: JC-WI
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2025 at 2:00pm

Service manual says for easy removal of cover, place transmission in reverse or second gear position...

Last time I had the 45's cover off was close to 30 years ago when I built the ball up and drilled and notched for second pin and built the end lug up too. I remember having a bit of trouble setting the cover down and had put it into one of the positions and did finally get the collars aligned. Wish I could say which position it was, but I do remember going to the service manual for help. One of the positions had a little better positioning to get the forks aligned with the collars.

After all the work on it, the shifter is still nice and tight to this day. Wish Allis had stuck the second pin in them at the factory, though after 70 years of use, they probably would be worn out now too.

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He who says there is no evil has already deceived himself
The truth is the truth, sugar coated or not. Trawler II says, "Remember that."

Posted By: Dennis(IA)
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2025 at 7:33pm

I rebuilt my shift lever ball some 20 years ago. Then it was a Sun of a gun to get the cover back on. Finally put it in reverse and got it back on. The ball on my shifter was deteriorated because of rust because of condensation. I now lift the boot and squirt oil in there hoping it will leak down and prevent rust and deterioration.

Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2025 at 7:35am

Interesting, thanks guys.

Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2025 at 6:44am

The shifter is back on the tractor and working normally. Had to mount the tower and then install the stick. Still scratching my head on this one but at least Wilma is operable once again. My buddy Dan stopped and helped get the thing together, don't think I have enough hands to do this alone.

Decided yesterday it was time for this old girl to have a name! Betty was the first thing that came to mind. Then, thinking of the other 45, wasn't crazy about Barney. Still on the Flintstone's line of thought, Fred and Wilma! Will probably keep on naming tractors, at least the ones I have multiples of. CA's and D-17's will take some thought. 756's will likely continue to be Gas and Diesel. There is another 756 D coming up on auction not far from here.....

Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2025 at 6:35am

Okay, after editing the video of this, endeavor, I think what happened is that the 1-2 shift fork missed the sliding gear when I first put it back together. It felt like it was shifting into first but wouldn't go into second. Probably the rail was just going into the detent position for low gear. At any rate, good to have 'Wilma' back in working order!