Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Loose shift lever

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 31, 2011 | 05:02 PM
  #31  
KoolAidMan888's Avatar
KoolAidMan888
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Will this fix my problem also????? There is Alot of play in mine and it got worse in the last week b.c of constant shifting.(plowing).. Now when i go to put it in park it just clunks and roles.. I really have to push it up to get it into park.

The tran shifts fine and goes into the other gears as it normally did.. just a little play in between..... Im praying no need for a new tranny or have to fix it..


Any Ideas ??
 
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2011 | 10:08 PM
  #32  
whiteywhip's Avatar
whiteywhip
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: new paltz ny
well the bushing trick didnt work too well.....looks like i am going for the tubes...inner and outer
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2011 | 08:48 AM
  #33  
RobH1965's Avatar
RobH1965
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Great quick simple fix

I also was noticing a loose shifter and after I replaced my T/R selector switch it seemed worse. To the point that I could not get the lever into 1st gear and sometimes in park the truck would roll and I would hear an awful clicking sound. Well anyway in about 10 minutes it is fixed just by tightening those two loose torx head screws at the bottom of the cable at the bracket. Everything seems fine now. I did not even have to remove the shroud only the fuse panel cover to see them.

Thanks
Rob H 1965
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2011 | 09:53 AM
  #34  
KoolAidMan888's Avatar
KoolAidMan888
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
That SOunds Like my Issue.. Where Are the torx head screws. ? under my dash? can i get to them with out taking everything off??
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2011 | 10:30 AM
  #35  
whiteywhip's Avatar
whiteywhip
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: new paltz ny
i went to ford and bought the outer and inner column shafts with new pin and spring......r&r it ....all fixed .....also my adjuster broke for dash selector and fixed that......like new......
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2011 | 06:33 PM
  #36  
Tailgate77478's Avatar
Tailgate77478
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 2
From: D.C. but heart's in TEXAS
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by KoolAidMan888
That SOunds Like my Issue.. Where Are the torx head screws. ? under my dash? can i get to them with out taking everything off??
As Coastie6 said on page two, go to this thread for a photo of the torx screws:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9799019

I just fixed this tonight...a "true" 5-minute fix with nothing more than a T30 bit, 2" ratchet extension / ratchet, and a flashlight. You don't have to remove anything to get to it, but you do have to be laying on your back with your head way up by the pedals (legs out the driver door) to see it. VERY SIMPLE.
 
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2012 | 12:18 PM
  #37  
MitchPeters's Avatar
MitchPeters
More Turbo
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, Ohio
WOO HOO!!!! Tightened the two torx screws and my shifter is back to normal!!!
 
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2015 | 12:26 AM
  #38  
YetAnotherMikey's Avatar
YetAnotherMikey
New User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Sloppy shift lever cause - three photos showing the critical screws

I had to pull my column because the steering wheel was getting noticeably harder to turn (bad bearing inside the column), but when I removed it I found the two screws loose which was causing the sloppy shifting.

Just to help out anyone else that has this problem, here's three photos of the column on the bench and where the screws are.






 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Sep 10, 2015 | 03:43 AM
  #39  
davester250's Avatar
davester250
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 614
Likes: 1
You really shouldn't do that work on your hood.
 
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2015 | 10:43 AM
  #40  
OldExpy's Avatar
OldExpy
New User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I lost one of the torx screws for the shifter. Ford told me they don't sell those bolts and I would have to "improvise". Any ideas what size replacement screw to get? Based on my research the screw will take a T30 driver, I could find nothing about diameter and length? I want to make sure I order the right screw or know what demennisons I am looking for when I got to home depot, lowes, or O'Reilly's.
 

Last edited by OldExpy; Sep 10, 2015 at 10:49 AM. Reason: typo
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2015 | 01:19 PM
  #41  
davester250's Avatar
davester250
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 614
Likes: 1
Maybe check out a local junk yard for a similar truck?

You might also try taking the other torx screw you do have to a parts store and match it up there with a regular bolt.
 
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2015 | 03:21 PM
  #42  
YetAnotherMikey's Avatar
YetAnotherMikey
New User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by davester250
You really shouldn't do that work on your hood.
It's not, it's a workbench with a masonite surface. The masonite gets repainted when I have some leftover paint from some other project, and replaced every five or so years.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2018 | 08:55 AM
  #43  
Luke00's Avatar
Luke00
New User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mine is loose also, I'm going to fix it this weekend or early next week. I will post pics of what's going on and if i break anything I'll let you know what not to do.
 
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2018 | 09:10 AM
  #44  
tmehrkam's Avatar
tmehrkam
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 160
Likes: 18
From: NW Houston
Just fixed my loose shifter on my 2001 F250 4x4 260K miles. For two years now I had a problem where I sometime had to lift the shift handle for the starter to engage. With previous gen trucks that meant the electrical shift sensor was worn out. I just ignored the problem because of worse comes to worse I knew I could open the hood and jump the solenoid.

Last week I was in the bed working on my tool box. The truck was half in the garage so it was on a slight slope. The truck slipped out of park and started rolling down the driveway. I had to jump over the side of the bed and press on the brake to stop the truck. I set the parking brake and blocked the back wheels. Now I had a problem that needed immediate attention. I brought up my alldata subscription. It is USELESS in this type of situation. They have been steadily reducing content the past few years. Time to purchase real shop manuals. :-{

I got on the internet and searched for the problem. Presto there are several YouTube videos on this very subject. Easy five minute fix. I coated the bolt threads with blue locktite and tightened the dog **** out of them. Problem solved. If you have problems following the verbal directions here search for the YouTube video.

One if the many videos. This one is an excursion. Except for the knee panel the fix is the same as on the F250.


This is not the clearest video. Others are better but this one is the one I used. Enjoy.
 

Last edited by tmehrkam; Oct 16, 2018 at 09:13 AM. Reason: Video link did not copy.
Reply
Old Oct 16, 2018 | 05:57 PM
  #45  
finn's Avatar
finn
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 585
Likes: 11
From: Upper penninsula
There are several more recent threads on the shifter issue.

I found that the real root cause of the loose bolts, bound up shift tube, and worn shifter pivot pin hole on these older trucks is a corroded TRS switch at the end of the shift cable, mounted external to the transmission case. Newer, five speed automatic transmissions have the switch mounted inside the transmission, so corrosion isn’t a problem on them.

What happens is that the shaft going into the transmission case corrodes and swells, causing the plastic TRS switch to bind and seize. That, in turn, causes excess force to make a gear change, overloading the bolts, plastic bushings, aluminum shift tubes, and the shift lever pivot pin.

Look at the TRS, and make sure you can move the shaft by hand ( block the wheels so you don’t run over yourself). If it takes more than finger pressure to change gears under the truck, you have a bad TRS, in addition to any other worn parts.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:32 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE