I have a '92 leBaron that has been parked for a while. The last time I tried to move it, it wouldn't come out of park. I disconnected the linkage, and the shaft that goes into the transmission won't turn. It appears to be frozen to the casting by corrosion.

For the last couple of months, I've been pouring penetrating oil on it every time I walk past, but it hasn't helped. I'm afraid to use a torch to heat it with so much plastic around to catch fire. I tried a hot air gun, but it wasn't hot enough to do any good. I also tried drilling a shallow hole in the casting against the shaft to serve as a reservoir for the penetrating oil. The oil disappears, so I hope it's finding its way down the shaft, but so far nothing moves.

Is there any chance that there's something broken internally, and the shaft isn't siezed after all? I kind of doubt it, since the shaft won't move at all and a broken part usually shows at least a small amount of play.

Any ideas to try before I take the transmission out and apart? I'm in no hurry, so if no one has any suggestions, I think I'll just continue with the penetrating oil for a few more months before I do anything drastic.

 

BFH? Well maybe not a Big one but a few taps may help it 'break' lose..

 

Sounds like your ready for a rebuild or a good used tranny.

 

I already tried pounding on it, but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) there isn't room to get a good swing. If I end up having to take the transmission out, I can heat it, put a pipe wrench on the shaft, etc. If there's nothing wrong internally, I can probably fix it without taking it apart. I'm just naturally lazy, so I'm trying to do it without taking the transmission out of the car.

 

I don't know where you are located, are you in a winter/ salt or other area subject to high corrosion? That shaft has a seal, there, so it should not be corroded. I'd guess a problem internally.

What is your "feel" for the condition of the transmission, that is had it been working fine when you parked it? If so, you can pull the valve body without removing the transmission.