Steering linkage broke?
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New User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Chesapeake, Va
Steering linkage broke?
I have a 93 Aerostar. Was parked, put in reverse, would not go in gear, shifter on steering column moves around freely. Need a little help with diagnosis, someone said pin may have sheared attaching steeering mechanism. does this sound right and could it be easily repaired?
Thank you,
Chris
Thank you,
Chris
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Mitchell, SD
Welcome! 
What kind of millage do you have on your Aero?
With the parking brake on, (if it does not work, make sure to chuck the wheels so the vehicle will not roll,) with it in park crawl under the drivers side and make not where the shifter position is on the tranny. Move it to R, crawl under again and see if it moved, if so, repeat with N, OD, D, 2, 1.
If not, more than likely one or more of the bolts that hold the wires together to the shifter unscrewed them selves. A semi-common problem. If you remove the bottom cover of the steering column, you should see the shifter cable. See if you can find the bolts on the floor, they are torx head black bolts. If not you will need to find a suitable replacement at the hardware store.
The only other posibility is that the cable actually snapped (very rare,) and then your choice is going to the dealer or the junkyard for a replacement.
What kind of millage do you have on your Aero?
With the parking brake on, (if it does not work, make sure to chuck the wheels so the vehicle will not roll,) with it in park crawl under the drivers side and make not where the shifter position is on the tranny. Move it to R, crawl under again and see if it moved, if so, repeat with N, OD, D, 2, 1.
If not, more than likely one or more of the bolts that hold the wires together to the shifter unscrewed them selves. A semi-common problem. If you remove the bottom cover of the steering column, you should see the shifter cable. See if you can find the bolts on the floor, they are torx head black bolts. If not you will need to find a suitable replacement at the hardware store.
The only other posibility is that the cable actually snapped (very rare,) and then your choice is going to the dealer or the junkyard for a replacement.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: North Alabama
If it's not a broken cable, check the bolts that hold the piece between the shifter and the cable. The cable is attached to a curved, angle-type bracket, and there are two or three rather unusual bolts that hold it on. I recently had one fall out onto my foot, and couldn't figure what it was until I tried to park the thing. These bolts are a little short of 3 inches long, 3/8 diameter, threaded on only the first half inch or so, and install with a hex wrench. The guys on here said there were 3 of these, but I can only find 2, meaning I probably lost one and didn't feel it hit my foor. Installing them is interesting. They go in from the front, through that angle bracket, and screw into the part that moves with the shifter. You can't see it from under the dash, so you must lie on your back and feel for the place. Reach up around the right (your left, as you lie there upside-down) of the steering column.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by DaveMac2Vans
If it's not a broken cable, check the bolts that hold the piece between the shifter and the cable. The cable is attached to a curved, angle-type bracket, and there are two or three rather unusual bolts that hold it on. I recently had one fall out onto my foot, and couldn't figure what it was until I tried to park the thing. These bolts are a little short of 3 inches long, 3/8 diameter, threaded on only the first half inch or so, and install with a hex wrench. The guys on here said there were 3 of these, but I can only find 2, meaning I probably lost one and didn't feel it hit my foor. Installing them is interesting. They go in from the front, through that angle bracket, and screw into the part that moves with the shifter. You can't see it from under the dash, so you must lie on your back and feel for the place. Reach up around the right (your left, as you lie there upside-down) of the steering column.
You could have saved yourself a ton of Chiropractor bill by just removing 4 bolts and take out the front seat. After that, you would want to lay there all day
Good place to avoid chores from the wife. 
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: North Alabama
I must be brain dead. That never occurred to me. However, since I was already there trying to see what the trouble was, I just went ahead and put it back in.
Been working on another project lately. Now I am an official factory-trained washer and dryer technician. I figure, If I am going to write the service manuals and train the service techs, I should know the things inside out. If only fixing my Aerostar was this easy.
Been working on another project lately. Now I am an official factory-trained washer and dryer technician. I figure, If I am going to write the service manuals and train the service techs, I should know the things inside out. If only fixing my Aerostar was this easy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
i hate built in dishwashers...have had ongoing wars with several...think the factory design engineers send them out of the factory with ready to repair leaks.
give me an Aerostar any day to work on
give me an Aerostar any day to work on
Elder User
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From: North Alabama
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New User
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From: Chesapeake, Va
Thank you for advice. I was hopinging it wasn't a major problem and sounds like it isn't. Will check it out on my next day off.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Chesapeake, Va
Cable wire is not broken and attached to shifter. Shifter moves freely from Park to Overdrive without resistance but will not move further into drive, first , or second. It will not shift into park , reverse or overdrive but moves freely past them. Van is 4.0, 115000 miles. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Thank you!
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New User
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From: Chesapeake, Va
Found the problem ( I'm learning as I go so bear with me please). Pulled part of dashboard off to better see the shifter mechanics. Discovered the shifter column??(cast metal cylinderical piece) has sheered. How difficult is this to replace? Looks like entire dashboard must be removed to access two bolts on rear clamping mechanism. Without funds to have mechanic do, am I looking at something accomplishable?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by ckool
Found the problem ( I'm learning as I go so bear with me please). Pulled part of dashboard off to better see the shifter mechanics. Discovered the shifter column??(cast metal cylinderical piece) has sheered. How difficult is this to replace? Looks like entire dashboard must be removed to access two bolts on rear clamping mechanism. Without funds to have mechanic do, am I looking at something accomplishable?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Intrument panel removal: 4 screws, 3 electrical connectors and the transmission indicator hook. Are you talking about just the instrument panel or the entire dashboard on top also? If you are thinking about removing the entire dashboard, it's easier to just remove the whole steering column and work on it outside of the van.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
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From: Southern California
I think all you need to do is to remove the electrical connections (label them first), the transmission shift cable at the lower end of the shift selector shaft (the one that's broken), the pinch bolt at the intermediate shaft, and a couple of bolts. The steering column should drop right out.
You should disconnect the battery for a good half hour before doing this, just to make sure the Airbag doesn't pop accidentally.
Also, the broken part might be a whole lot cheaper at the junkyard.
You should disconnect the battery for a good half hour before doing this, just to make sure the Airbag doesn't pop accidentally.
Also, the broken part might be a whole lot cheaper at the junkyard.
Last edited by copper_90680; Jan 18, 2006 at 01:14 PM.
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From: Chesapeake, Va
Found an informative link:
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d8014c4a1.jsp
Also found part is #7212, Transmission Column Shaft Selector Tube, available only at dealer.
Now , if only I can replace it that easily.
Thank you for all your help, and please post anything that would further help me out.
Chris
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d8014c4a1.jsp
Also found part is #7212, Transmission Column Shaft Selector Tube, available only at dealer.
Now , if only I can replace it that easily.
Thank you for all your help, and please post anything that would further help me out.
Chris