I have a 2003 super duty crew cab 4x4 with V-10 auto w/167k. Awsome truck. I recently have noticed alot of slop in the shift lever on the column. Everything is tight on the tranny end. It appears to be under the dash. Is there a part that may be replacible? And if so... is it fairly simple to repair?

 

I have the same thing with my 2000 V10 and it has been that way for a long time I don't know if something has worn out but mine still works.

 

old days some cars had shifter levers that either screwed on to the switches or were bolted in inside the column to the shifter rods inside.... not sure how they are on these newer cars since both of mine are manuals now.. but if either of you are good at removing and replacing steering wheels you could try and see if that might be the problem... but im just guessing here...

 

I am familiar with changing out the whole steering column, But I am hesitant to do so if it is maybe a 2 dollar bushing. I am also a little leery about the air bag. I know they are costly.

 

with the air bag all you need to do is disconnect the battery for 1/2 hr to let the charge die out before ya start working on it.. some say to pull the fuse too jic.. my personal rule.. let it sit for an hr before messing around the air bags... and your not the only one leary about them.. personally i wish they were an "option" that you could deselect..

they are definately costly... we looked into getting one for my old buick that i gave dad when i bought my stang.. reason we looked into one is because they put the horn buttons in the air bag unit and the buttons broke loose and flop around.. they said the thing was $380 bucks just for that thing alone..

 

Thanks for the info!

 

np mate... good luck in finding the problem.. if its still under warrenty (which im guessing its not) i would say to just leave it and let the guys at the shop figure it out...

 

don't sweat it. i had the same problem that gradually got worse over the course of a year.
-take off the steering column shroud, its 2 or 3 phillips head screws. your going to have to pop out ignition. service manual shows you how.
-follow shifter lever down to end-at end theres a cable (very thin wire).
-other end of this wire is connected to a bracket of some sort.
-bracket is connected to something else "not sure what" but, there's 2 tourqe screws on this bracket, "i used an allen wrench, TIGHTEN THESE. thats its.

note: in order to see these screws on the bracket you have to look up at the steering wheel, while lying on your back of the drivers side floor. kinda awkward.

i wish i knew a year ago how easy this was going to be. takes 30 minutes, goood luck
also a common problem with these trucks, i've seen it a few times on here.

 

sweet someone who had actually fixed it... now if my future truck does it ill know how to fix it too..

ugggh i know that position well... always gave me a headache too cuz of all the blood rushing to my head...

 

Thanks, I will check it out!

 

There is a little bracket on the steering column with two torx head bolts. Look at the steering column till you find it. The problem may be that those are loose.

I see someone else beat me too the possible solution.

 

Thanks for all your help. I found the loose screws an tightend them in less than 10 min.
Thanks Again!

 

ooo, oooo, oooo, me too. about 2 weeks ago, i pulled out of the driveway and drove to work. when i got to work, i went to shift into park and the shifter was so loose as if it was almost disconnected and would not line up with any of the gears. this all started about 2 years ago when the shifter cable seized all of the sudden. was really easy to replace. anyway, i bought another cable and was ready to install it and i started on the inside. i took out the floormat and there it was. both of the little anodized torx bolts had fallen out of that bracket under the column. i put them back in with some loc-tite and readjusted the shifter at the trans and the little gear for the selector needle. however, the shifter is still a bit sloppy when you have it in drive. it does feel nice and firm selecting all gears. best it has been in years. still wish it wasnt sloppy when its in drive though. i have a feeling that the only way to replace it would be to replace the column. i'm gonna do some research on this and repost later.

 

Guys,
There is a rubber bushing that the selector sits in. There is a roll pin that attaches the selector to the column (aluminum) portion that actuall moves when you select the gear. The rubber portion is to "cushion" the movement that occurs when you pull "back" on the selector allowing for the selector to be moved into the appropriate gear. Replace the little orange bushing and all will be like new.

My question is if all of the tow/haul selectors for model years 2003-2007 are the same...any help?

 

thanks. ill check it out on mine.