Loose shifter - can't get into P or 1
#1
Loose shifter - can't get into P or 1
Well, after two the past years and 35,000 miles of doing virtually zero maintenance, my truck has actually required me to do a few things the past few months.
The one that I need help with seems related the steering column. As typical with high-mileage Fords, the shifter seems pretty loose. Mine has gotten to the point where it has enough slop that it won't go into Park or 1 reliably. Sure, the shifter will go into those physical positions and the needle will move, but it's not moving the arm on the transmission. I typically have to put it in neutral to start, and have to hit the foot brake because park isn't engaging in the transmission.
What usually wears out to cause this, and is it something that I can adjust out? I've never taken apart the column on a Ford, and it's been a while since I've done it on, well, about anything else. Any suggestions for what to look at or courses of action?
Overall, this truck has been excellent to me. 144k on it total. I bought it at 90k. Have had to do the pads and rotors twice, needed a new computer and coils when I bought it. Other than that, just tires (which got out of balance recently), and today the exhaust cracked right before the muffler. Easy fix. It actually sounds pretty cool as-is, maybe I'll leave it.
The one that I need help with seems related the steering column. As typical with high-mileage Fords, the shifter seems pretty loose. Mine has gotten to the point where it has enough slop that it won't go into Park or 1 reliably. Sure, the shifter will go into those physical positions and the needle will move, but it's not moving the arm on the transmission. I typically have to put it in neutral to start, and have to hit the foot brake because park isn't engaging in the transmission.
What usually wears out to cause this, and is it something that I can adjust out? I've never taken apart the column on a Ford, and it's been a while since I've done it on, well, about anything else. Any suggestions for what to look at or courses of action?
Overall, this truck has been excellent to me. 144k on it total. I bought it at 90k. Have had to do the pads and rotors twice, needed a new computer and coils when I bought it. Other than that, just tires (which got out of balance recently), and today the exhaust cracked right before the muffler. Easy fix. It actually sounds pretty cool as-is, maybe I'll leave it.
#2
There's two small screws and probably one of them is coming loose. They are all the way at the brake pedal end. you don't have to take anything apart to get to them or even see them. If you get under there and have someone move the shifter, you'll spot them quickly.
Oh, if you can't get it into Park, one of those screws is probably sitting on your floor mat.
Oh, if you can't get it into Park, one of those screws is probably sitting on your floor mat.
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