My 96 f-150 4x4 has an extremely sloppy column shifter lever.
Sometimes won't start in park. Much play in all positions. I've looked around under the dash but don't know where to start.
Is there any adjustment available & how is it done.

Doc300

 

First the adjuster for the in dash tranny gear selector is under the dash. You have to remove the lower part of the plastic under the steering column. There is a small spindle wheel with a wire coming out of it, this is that adjuster. I had the same problem with my shifter, I ended up losing first gear, but the adjust the spinner on the cable near the tranny. Check the nuetral positin on the shifter on the side of the tranny. I ended up needing a new cable. Let me guess you have to lift up on the shifter to get it to start sometimes. Hope this helps somewhat, let me know if I need to get more in depth or if this will help.

CJ

 

That adjustment is ONLY for the pointer - it has nothing to do with how the shifter works or the neutral start switch.

Look in the GP Auto pics photo album in my signature link and scroll down to the pics of the stripped steering column. If you click on the thumbnails, it zooms in and you can read the captions. It sounds to me like the U-clamps that hold the shifter on the column are getting loose. If you pull the upper column shroud, you can see them.

 

Thanks for the info and the pictures to look at. Should be a big help. Is there any tricks to removing the upper shroud of the column or is it just a matter of removing the screws?

Doc300

 

The trick is that there's one screw whose head points to the passenger side just inside the dash right along the split line. You can get to it by removing the other 3 from the bottom of the shroud and then bending & twisting the shroud so it comes out a little, but the proper way is to remove the instrument cluster bezel. You can find a good description of the procedure with plenty of diagrams here.

 

I've had the same problem with my personal vehicle, and I just bought another '96 F150 yesterday and it has the same problem. I stopped by the local Ford dealer this morning and picked up (2) F3TZ-7L278-A plastic bushings that fit between the two clamps. They cost a whopping $3.58. I put these on my first truck and they took care of the problem. This should do it. Good luck!!

Bob

 

Steve 83 and Bosaw, thanks for the help. You guys rock. My top bushing had slid down the tube and become totally dislodged. Also the "L bracket" that bolts to the bottom of the shifter tube that the cable attaches to had become very loose. I just had to tighten up the two torx bolts. I guess over time they just vibrated loose. Now my column is as good as new. Thanks for all the help, it saved me a lot of heartache and money. Ben

 

Thanks for the info, but I need a bit more help. How do you get the top column cover over the ignition switch? Removed all 4 screws that hold top & bottom together. Couldn't get top cover off. Do I have to pull ignition switch or did I miss something? Once top cover is off how accessible is the column. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Doc300

 

That's not the switch - it's just the lock cylinder, and yes, you have to remove it. It's easy, though: just put the key in RUN and press the tiny (~3/32") pin that points straight down, then pull the cylinder out. If you look at the bottom shroud, you'll see a factory access hole for the pin that's the only hole in that shroud that's small. The other holes are all for screws.