Broken Shift Linkage

["Robert Rooney" <dmcvegas@xxxx>]

On the way home in traffic today I had problems shifting from 1st 
gear into second. I've had this problem before, and I've cured it by 
spraying the shift linkage with WD-40 to lubricate it. For the past 
week the problem appeared to have returned, but I hadn't had time yet 
to lube everything. Anyhow, it got to the point where I was unable to 
shift from 1st to 2nd at all. While accelerating from a stop this 
happened again, so I used a bit more force to get it into 2nd. It 
went in, but with a LOUD clunk! When I shifted again there was no 
resistance at all forward and aft. Left and right seems ok, and the 
cable looks to still be in place. But when I move the gearlever 
forward and back, it sounds like the front gearchange tube is 
scraping across the bottom of the chassis. First off, has anyone else 
here had this type of problem before? Second, could it jest be that 
the nut on the adjustable gear tube has just come loose, or is it 
probable that the bolt may have been stripped? (I hope the bolt on 
the relay lever isn't broken!) Since I just got home now, I havent 
yet had the chance to get under the car to inspect the linkage 
(Farmers Insurace Tow Service took 5 hours to send a truck out to 
me!!!).

-Robert
vin 6585 (the DeLorean from hell!)