Broken Shifter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Sunny Central Arizona
Broken Shifter
Hi guys, the shifter on my '97 4.6L EB F-150 is broken. I can't start the truck because it does not shift into park. Currently, the shifter needles points to 'R'. I can shift it, and the needle points to all the gears and back but up to reverse only. Not only that, but the shifter is loose, mushy and does not feel solid. Any suggestions on what the culprit could be? Is this common and/or is there a part that can be replaced to solve this issue? What and how can I check to see what the broken part is? Thanks for the help in advance!
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,209
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
The shift cable is no broken, or you would not be able to start it in neutral and drive it otherwise. You will find a solution in this thread. Good luck! 
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...le-98f150.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...le-98f150.html
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
IT sounds almost exactly like what happened to me. I had all the linkage get too loose, others have 2 small screws on the column get loose and some fall out. It is most likely one of those two things.
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Joined: May 2006
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Sounds like the linkage on the steering column end of the cable has worked itself loose. You can see it if you look up from the floorboard, and you should even be able to reach up and see if you can wiggle it to check for slack. Everything should be nice and tight. If it is, slide under the truck and see if there's any slippage in the linkage on the transmission end of the cable. If anything's broke, the cable's pretty cheap from the dealer. You'll have to drop the steering column to replace the cable assembly if it comes to that.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Sunny Central Arizona
Ok so I looked underneath the dashboard and this is what I found, please excuse the crappy cell phone pics:
Is this the cable with the adjuster ****? It has some slack but I don't know if it is suppose to have some slack or none at all.
I found this bolt on the floor underneath the pedals, and it matches the other bolts underneath the dash. Some how it became loose.
Now it looks like that bolt connects these to metal parts together. When I move the shifter around, the two parts move, but obviously not in sync.
So can anybody confirm whether my findings are correct or not? And can you guys also explain how to fix this? I will go back underneath with a flashlight so I will clearly be able to see how these parts attach. Thanks again for the help in advance!
Is this the cable with the adjuster ****? It has some slack but I don't know if it is suppose to have some slack or none at all.
I found this bolt on the floor underneath the pedals, and it matches the other bolts underneath the dash. Some how it became loose.
Now it looks like that bolt connects these to metal parts together. When I move the shifter around, the two parts move, but obviously not in sync.
So can anybody confirm whether my findings are correct or not? And can you guys also explain how to fix this? I will go back underneath with a flashlight so I will clearly be able to see how these parts attach. Thanks again for the help in advance!
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
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From: SE Wyoming
From what I can tell that first pic is the adjustment for the actual indicator dial, it shouldn't be the problem. Couldn't say on the others.
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Senior User
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I can't tell for sure from the picture, but it looks like the last pic is the bracket that the cable mounts to....it's not supposed to move. The black thing you have circled in red is the shifter cable....that part of the cable isn't supposed to move either. If you find it necessary to lower the steering wheel to fix your problem, be careful not to break the circled portion of the shifter cable. It'll bind up and snap. Don't ask me how I know this, I just do.
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New User
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From: Sunny Central Arizona
Thanks for the reply. Yeah so actually the part I circled in red connects to a metal piece which then is sandwiched together with another similar looking metal piece using two screws like the one pictured above.
We finally got back our other f150 and I looked at that one for reference and that is how the pieces connect. For a temporary solution, I think we will tie it and hopefully soon enough we can order the new part. Are the parts sold as individual parts or or they only available as a whole assembly? Thanks
We finally got back our other f150 and I looked at that one for reference and that is how the pieces connect. For a temporary solution, I think we will tie it and hopefully soon enough we can order the new part. Are the parts sold as individual parts or or they only available as a whole assembly? Thanks
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bliltzerman
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Nov 27, 2003 02:08 PM
