Well, this is how it goes: This morning, after warming up, I moved the lever and it was hard placing it in R, then D, it offered a lot of resistance when going from one gear to another. I got on the road to do some errands and go to my workplace, well, the trans. shifted well, but once I got to a parking spot, the lever just wouldn't budge all the way to P, then while forcing it, it suddendly became loose and the truck is now in N, use my insurance assistance to get the truck back home, and well, here I am.

I have some questions before I try anything: How do I reach the linkage in the cabin? does any part of the dash have to come out? I think I can open the cover on the steering column easily to inspect in there, but any tips would be great. What should I be looking for? and if I got under the truck, does the tranny pan have to come down in order to work on the shift linkage? has someone worked on this? any info?.

On another regard, could there be something else causing this? I noticed the trans spilled some atf. Maybe a broken converter?.

Thanks guys, I'll try to research some on the net while I wait for some answers.

 

Well you need to have someone crawl under and look to see if the linkage is intact on the tranny. The most common spot I can think the linkage would break is the cheapo metal rods in the column. However since you mentioned spilled ATF it wouldn't hurt to have the linkage on the trans checked.

Hmm, it should look something like this only without the cable coming from the right.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6422560973/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6422560973/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Thx Edge, I have a very clear idea of what to look for, but all the info I can gather is great. I remember you changed your shifter, so you surely messed with the linkage, I thought about asking you, but since I have some time and it's almost weekend already, I'll take my time.

 

Also check for loose or missing bolts here under the dash (directly above the brake pedal) Dang Flickr wont work right....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/7263327050/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/7263327050/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

Heres some links that might help:
steering column or shift linkage? - FSB Forums

Also note the black plastic clip with the cable, make sure thats on this brakcet and again at the trans.

I became thoroughly educated on the shifter through my conversion. Hope this all helps.

 

I think this is probably the cause: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-what-now.html
But with the info you gave me I think i have all the corners of this circle covered... lol .

 

You may have to pull the dash bezel but the cluster itself should remain intact. Can't remember if you needed to pull the bezel to take the column cover off.

This is what you'll see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6307214188/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6307214188/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

Here's a better picture of the stock linkage, mine has a cheap cotter pin in it as I had already swapped arms. You won't need to drop the pan unless the large bolt/rod in the middle of the MLPS is broke.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6267825605/http://www.flickr.com/photos/62639173@N03/6267825605/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/62639173@N03/, on Flickr

 

That is the cheapo tube I mentioned. Found it locally for $28. Not sure what they have around you Encho but this is a very common brand so hopefully that helps a bit to track one down.

Buy Dorman - OE Solutions Steering Column Shift Tube and Plunger Assembly 905-100 at Advance Auto Parts

 

$23 at Amazon, sadly I can't wait that long... I guess I'll buy one at a Ford spares store.

 

Hopefully they don't charge too much. Bet it feels good to know it isn't anything too expensive.

 

Well, I haven't opened anything yet, I guess I'll see when I do (probably tomorrow in the afternoon) or during next saturday.

 

Meh, I'm so sure it's that tube I just bought the parts (Ford Originals for $42), I'm just waiting for tomorrow to get down to it, also found this great info on the procedure:
» Automotive CHADPYLE.com

 

Encho: One other thing to look at it the cable leading from under the dash and down to the transmission...

My cable broke a about month or so ago and it wouldn't move anything at the transmission, but the shifter was VERY tight... I had to set the parking brake and crawl under it to put it into drive to get it home...

None of the local parts stores had a cable even listed so I got mine at the local Lincoln dealership (I have a buddy that works there)

Good luck, hope you find the problem soon!!!

 

I'll be really annoyed if in fact it was the cable, since that means i'll probably have to wait until monday... and the parts I bought won't have no use. But as I told Brett before, my main suspect was the shift tube, because of the behaviour of the lever. But I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

 

Well, the shift tube was broken alright, but the cause could be further down the road, since after replacing it I still can't place the trans in park. Seems like the whole thing moved clock-wise and now the lever position meant for P is N (no, I mean for real, not the indicator). Also, right now, I'm able to start the truck in N. I could drive the truck in case of an emergency but I need to solve this. I'll try to inspect the shift linkage, and try to set the lever properly.

I can shift again, but the lever isn't working right yet, and is out of position.

 

Today I tried to adjust the shifter, kind of got it there, but it doesn't shift alright. I think the linkage down at the transmision pan might be messed . What should i be looking for down there, after I lower the pan?. Also, when I start the truck there is dripping from the transmision (it works and do everything it should, but it drips). My suspicions are that the shift linkage got broken inside the thans and a piece of it hurted the seal.