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Hello, I went to put my truck in gear ('76 F150 auto with a column shifter) and the handle was just free floating and wouldn't go in gear, couldn't feel any resistance either... earlier that morning it shifted really sloppy and the gear indicator needle would have to go on N to be in reverse. Nothing looks to have left go in the engine bay on the linkage going to the transmission, so I assume something must have gone in the column. Has anyone experienced this? does the whole column need to be replaced?
This is actually a fairly common problem. You don't need to replace the whole column. More than likely the shift socket (aka shifter collar) has broken internally.
It's replaceable and, last time I checked, still a available.
The job isn't too complicated but can be really tedious because of the way Ford retained the collar.
The part number you'll probably need to replace is:
D5TZ-7228-A socket, transmission gearshift lever.
Steering wheel not fitting right on steering column
When my steering wheel is fully pressed on there is still around a 3/4 in gap between the column and the wheel. This cause the the horn buttons to not touch and the signal cancelation tab to not work. When I first got the truck the steering wheel had not gab. The horn and signals did not work because they were broken but it seemed to sit right. I have replace the steering box, the rubber peace in between the box and the shaft, and the column wiring harness. When I was re-installing the shaft I noticed there were some bolts and sitting at the bottom that when to the signal switch. I figured the precious owner accidentally dropped them down there which explains the non-ford bolt that was in the switch. After I fidget them out with a magnet everything went back together fairly smooth. I went to put the steering wheel on for the first time after all of this and that is when I noticed it not fitting. I have look at the parts diagram and watched video but I can not forgive out what is going on.
Last edited by Nathan Regan; Dec 22, 2021 at 08:53 AM.
When my steering wheel is fully pressed on there is still around a 3/4 in gap between the column and the wheel. This cause the the horn buttons to not touch and the signal cancelation tab to not work. When I first got the truck the steering wheel had not gab. The horn and signals did not work because they were broken but it seemed to sit right. I have replace the steering box, the rubber peace in between the box and the shaft, and the column wiring harness. When I was re-installing the shaft I noticed there were some bolts and sitting at the bottom that when to the signal switch. I figured the precious owner accidentally dropped them down there which explains the non-ford bolt that was in the switch. After I fidget them out with a magnet everything went back together fairly smooth. I went to put the steering wheel on for the first time after all of this and that is when I noticed it not fitting. I have look at the parts diagram and watched video but I can not forgive out what is going on.
Can you get some pictures of it? The nut won't pull the wheel down to where it needs to be? You can and should start your own thread on this.
