Originally Posted by NChatch

something after you check the fluid would be the shifter "balls" there are two ball bearing type balls that the shift rod rides on, going into the tranny, they are pressured by a spring, sometimes the springs wear out causing the shift rod to have a little play, up and down and shifts get sloppy and dont want to go.

they are called detent balls ,and they should not cause a hard shift, or grind if the spring was worn ,thay rearly would go bad