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So I am replacing the bushings on a 5.4 E350 2007.
It's the ones on the shift tube. After I dropped the steering column I found someone had tried to replace them or the rear Clamp just broke and the screws loosened somehow. But anyway after I replaced the bushings and I try to screw down the clamps the whole shift tube becomes super tight and I can't get it to shift out of gear or even let me try to remove the key unless I unscrew the clamps.
I noticed when I try to shift gears or to the shift tube in back Jerks up every time.
Sounds like some wrong parts have been installed. Any photos of what you're dealing with? FWIW I've done this job 4-5 times without any issues at all using Ford bushings and naturally re-using existing clamps and fasteners.
If I tighten these screws the whole shift tube becomes super tight and I cant move anything. I took a wire brush and cleared all debris and used canned air
No wonder you're having problem here--the shift tube cannot help but become tight as it seems to be installed incorrectly; the metal sleeve under the clamp should NOT be in that location. The sleeved portion seems to need moved forward so it sits in front of the clamp, like this:
So here is the front as I found it. Does the shift tubing need to be pushed down further towards the engine or does it need to be moved more towards me?
You keep zooming in too close to the shift tube as its currently installed. Check my photo for where the tube needs to lay in order to work properly.
I can't see the rear clamp which is where the shift tube lever engages the detent steps on that portion of the column. See these photos for a better view of how the column is assembled:
This image is of the upper shift tube showing the shift lever installed--the front bushing is missing, this view with shift lever installed:
This column is from a '99 or '00 F-Series however that shouldn't affect your own 2007---my 2005 is this exact same column too. I'm beginning to wonder if that shift tube is original--it looks nothing like what I see in my columns.
I am attaching some pictures of what the shift tube looks like and I also have videos of what happens when you try and use the key and how it jerks up in the back.
And it's funny you mention that! This shift tube is not sitting right now matter what I do. It's almost like it is not the right tube in there somehow. I am unsure what to do at this point. Any ideas is appreciated. May end up ordering a new shift tube
If I didn't mention earlier I've suspected (or known) the shift tube you have is not for that column. You do mention someone had attempted to "fix" this column before you acquired this van--another huge clue something isn't right.
If you have a local DIY scrap yard find a steering column in an E- or F-Series from 1999 up to about 2005 and check what you have against what's stock factory. If I were more strongly motivated I'd disassemble my 2000 column to show what was used from the factory.
