David,

Climb under the van and try to get some lubricant into the cup and ball
arrangement on the side of the tranny.  Anything will do for test purposes,
even water, though while you're under there, you might as well use moly
grease.  There are also several bushings along the shift linkage where you
can get a bit more breaase in on the action.

Try again.  Most likely, smile.

Karl Wolz