i got a 1993 ford f150 with a 4.9l 5 speed, the other day i brought the truck to a guy i know to get the clutch replaced. When i got it back the clutch works great! but the shifter rod has ALOT of play and it is soo hard to find the right gears. Most of the time i am punching the radio when i shift into first and third. So i took the rubber boot off and noticed that there is two nuts on either side of the shifter where it connects to the tranny. one of them was missing so i replaced it. I tighten up both sides as much as i could, but the shifter still has alot of play, it gets a little better right as soon as i tighten it but then when i drive down the road it loosens up again. I really need some input on this because its real frustrating to drive everyday.

 

For one, the "Bolt" you've tightened the bejeezus out of...Is a tapered/D shaped deal....no threads in the center...Tapping it one way tightens it, the other way loosens it...(Obviously)

2-Put the emergency brake on, and put the shifter into neutral.....Then remove it....3-Torx hed screws....They're a PITA....But the whole thing slides right out....

3-Order this kit, www.Allstategear.com....Part # M50-SK, it's $14.80 + S&H.....

There should be 2 bushings for the shifter to float on...One lays on the edge of the hole the shifter fits in, then there's 2 dowel pins, then, after tapping the "Bolt" you added a nut onto, the upper bushing fits in there....


Here's a link to a video that shows the kit/ what I'm trying to describe...
M5OD BUSHING REPLACEMENT - YouTube

 

Actually, it's only supposed to have one nut....On the side that pulls the tappered piece TIGHTER.....

 

SideWinder4.9l, I was getting ready to attach a link to your thread you started on this. Since it was a long while since I did my repair, I didn't want to give him the wrong procedure. Looks like you went with placing the trans in nuetral as opposed to 1st gear; I learned that the hard way when I did the rubber plug repair.

 

I've pulled the shifter, while it was in 1st gear....ONCE......Was one of the BIGGEST PITA's I've EVER seen to get it to go back in the space...

Thanks for the memory bit...Makes me feel good someone remembers me...lol

 

But i am not too sure that the bushings are gone because the shifter was totally fine until i got it back from the guy. there was no play in the shifter and everything was tight