Lever and shaft assembly and method

This invention relates to the assembly of levers and shafts and, more particularly, to a transmission detent lever assembled on a manual control shaft. A shaft and detent assembly includes a detent lever assembly that is manually assembled on the shaft. The detent lever includes a hub which has an opening formed therein alignable with an opening formed in the shaft. A pin is inserted through the opening in both the hub and the shaft to secure the two members together for common rotation. A cylindrical retainer is assembled on the hub of the detent lever in a position to overlap or cover at least a portion of the openings in the detent lever and shaft to restrict the movement of the pin, which is secured therein during assembly. The retainer also has a plurality of spring fingers, which engage a groove formed in the hub to restrict inadvertent removal of the retainer from the assembly.