Today jumped into the truck and started it up as normal. Stepped on the brake and noticed that the shift lever release handle seemed stuck. When depressing the lever I could hear a tick that sounded like it was coming from the steering column. I went under the dash to try and follow the sound and make sure everything was connected secure. Tried again while was underdash (parking brake on) and it shifted out of park. Put it back in park and was stuck again making that ticking noise.

I followed the checks outlined in:

If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed, or when the ignition is
in the OFF position, it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s
brakelamps are not operating properly. Refer to Fuses and relays in the
Roadside Emergencies chapter.

If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the key to the OFF position.
3. Remove the access plug on top of
the steering column.
4. Using a flat-head screwdriver or
similar tool, move the brake-shift
interlock actuator spindle toward
the left, apply the brake and shift
the transmission into N (Neutral).
5. Start the vehicle.
6. Reinstall the access plug.

and the fuse and brake lights are working fine. The problem is intermittent at best now and when it's stuck have to resort to pulling the "interlock actuator spindle toward
the left" trick. Was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction of which part is possibly failing. Thanks for any insight!

2008 Navigator L 2wd