When I was retoring the interior of my truck, I had decided to pull the steering column apart because the metal section where the shifter is was bare metal as oppossed to black as the rest of the truck. I had to fight to get the column back together, but I finally did get it back together. Since then, I have had three episodes where the column comes loose. The truck has an auto tranny by the way, anyways when I pull the shifter from park, it slides not catching anything and I remain in park. I then have to work the column and shifter to obtain any gear. After the first time, I pulled the column apart and reassembled it and everything was fine for awhile, then couple of weeks later it happened again. I took it apart again and problem solved. This time a month had passed, and it happened again. This time was different however. Before it began giving me trouble, I noticed if I shifted into a forward gear the truck would sit as if it were in nuetral. Once I would apply some gas it would "jump" forward as if it wasn't fully in gear and just engaged. Reverse wouldn't do this at all. Once in reverse the truck would me slightly due to it engaging. Now when the truck is in any tranny position, the gear indicator on the column will be moved. If in park, the indicatr will will on the side of the column towards the drivers door and in the opposite position if in any of the forward gears. What I'm I overlooking when I'm reassembling the column? I didn't have any leftover pieces from when I originally pulled it apart so what gives?

 

If I remember correctly the shift tube is pot metal. A piece can break off and go unnoticed. Mine was acting up and finally came apart. But before it did it was showing the same symptoms as yours. It sounds like your shift tube is worn and the "rebuild" removed any tolerance you may have had.

 

Does the indicator always move when the shifter moves? Does the lever at the bottom of the column (that the linkage connects to) always move with the shifter?

What about the linkage itself? Is that all connected and solid? Have you watched the linkage while someone works the shifter? Also check the brackets on the linkage. If they're loose, that could cause this kind of problem.

Kevin K.

 

The indicator and the column portion it is attached to all moves. I'll have to have the wife run throught the linkage while I look at it from underneath.