I guess it depends on where it breaks. We have had them break and the truck still was operable but just wouldn't go into park unless you reached up under the dash and shifted into park manually. We've had other trucks with broken tubes that didn't work at all. The 2004 and newer trucks have been the most problematic....the older units don't break as often but it has happened once or twice....

 

Pikachu, The part number 3L3Z-7C130-AA is the current part from Ford, that gets installed at 7:40 on the YouTube video. Not able to find one like the one in the video anymore. It gets installed basicly the same.

 

Tom, After the steering column, the cable goes directly to the transmission. Check the bracket that holds the cable, and that the cable is solid in the bracket. No movement there. Next step. Check the end of the cable where it mounts to the (manual control lever) ford "terminoligy". If that does not have play,,,, the problem might be internal. There is an (inner manual valve detent lever) ford "terminoligy", that is held into place by a nut that connects to the manual control lever. The inner manual valve detent lever also controls the park pawl. If this is loose? Help Trans Guys.

 

The ones I was referring to are the round black plastic bushings that wrap around the shift tube and go under the aluminum straps that hold it physically in place. When those wear out, they can cause a lot of slop. Seems like they could have made them out of something a little more durable than plastic.

 

Pikachu, I know the bushings that go around the shift tube are definetly a problem that wear out. I was hoping to let others know that this other part will help to take up some slack in the shifting lever between the lever and tube, and that ford discontinued the original part. That YouTube you posted is a very good video explaining the repair.

 

Oh that makes sense. I thought there was confusion as to which bushings I meant. But yeah, the lever to tube joint can get a little sloppy too.

 

it finally stopped raining here and i got a chance to take the column apart. the clamps and screws holding the shift tube are tight, and the bushings are in place and there is no play in them.
i am moving the shifter with 2 fingers, there is no effort at all to move it like this.
i am lost. anyone have any other ideas?
click on the picture to see the video.

 

Can't help but I'm watching. Mine is same way except the indicator does not line up with the letters. Mine show 2nd when it's in drive and R when in park.

 

your problem is a simple indicator adjustment. under the column there is an adjuster on the end of the indicator wire. simply turn it either clockwise or counter clockwise to move the indicator one way or the other.

 

something similar with my 01. Sloppy and O/D light illuminates unless I push up on lever. This thread came out at the perfect time.

 

i think you will crack the code soon matlock! keep looking for clues!

 

The wire coming out of the shifter might be chaffing, that could be the cause of your OD light blinking. You will have to take the steering column housing off to see if it is.

 

i googled it and found lots of older men suffer from sloppy shifter, it was recomended to keep you blood pressure in check and cholesterol and take viagra or them type pills.

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Thanks, I will look for that. I also have the play in the lever similar to what you do. I did pull the cover off of my column and looked for loose screws, didn't find any.

 

Another place to look for loose torque head bolts, is to lay down on your back under the steering column. Look up under the dash. Wiggle the shifting lever, and look for where the metal bracket that the shift cable is attached to is bolted to the shifting tube. If it is loose tighten the bolts. If you want put on blue loctite to help keep the bolts in there.