My wife has a 2004 Ford Explorer. The other day she was on her way to work when arrived at work she went to put it in park when all of a sudden it wouldnt go into park. She took her hand off of the gear shift when all of a sudden it fell out of the column and fell to the floor. Upon seeing this happen she called me when i proceeded to tell her that she was crazy.

I went to her work and before my eyes was a problem that i have not ran into. Apparently there is a pin that runs through a u-joint type yoke. Its made out of cast aluminum. and one of the ears on it broke off. I called ford and they told me that they had never heard of that happening before. I went up to ford and they then proceeded to tell me that the steering column would need to be replaced. For about 600 dollars in parts [new steering column] and about 200 dollars in labor. Now i have a hard time accepting that. Ford told me that If my explorer was older than a 2002 than i would be able by the part.

I went to a junk yard and purchased a steering column from them for 150 .00. I do not want to replace the whole steering column I would like to just replace that part that is broken. I put some bailing wire on the broken one and it seems to be working fine for now. I just do not want to have my wife stranded. Does anyone have any Idea on how to pull that yoke type part out and put another one in? I have looked at the one on the junkyard column that i purchased. It looks like it should be able to come out.

I just hate to put a steering column in my wifes truck when that part that is broken is so little and should be replaceable. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

The last time I had that happen was on an 1962 Falcon!
Does it have "roll pins" in the u-joint? I seems that you should be able to drive out the old pins and replace only the broken piece. You will need to disable the airbag and remove the steering wheel. I don't have any documentation on newer than 01, so can't look it up.

If that failed, I would clean the area good, apply jb weld, redrill and put in a new pin.

 

Sounds like you got a bargain on that steering column for $150. Guys in this thread were talking about $350 for a used one: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=188761
Did your's break like in the pics there?

 

mine broke right on the ear. Not like those pics . Theres a pin that keeps the shift lever and all together. It goes thru two ears. ONe of the ears broke. I have bailing wire holding it all together for now. Its works quite nicely. i just am nervous with the wife out with the kids. I wish that i could just take out that piece from the replacement column and install it into the colum that is broken. I have tried so far but it seems like the back side of the part is held in by a clip of some kind that i am unable to take apart. I dont want to get to crazy and break it because then that will mean a new column. If anyone has any ideas i would appreciate any and all help.

thanks
art