My auto gear shift lever on my 2000 SD is getting more sloppy. I replaced the bushings on the shift shaft which helped a little, but when I have the cover off of the steering column it seems that there is a fair amount of play at the bottom of the shift lever. It looks like there are some pieces that might hold the lever in a more firm position. Am I correct? If not, am I looking at replacing the shaft? Thanks for your help.

 

I wouldn't think the shaft would be worn out. Most likely bushings. Get a copy of the Ford shop manual and see what is suggested to repair.

 

My shift lever is also sloppy. I'd like to hear a fix for it.

I'll do a search and see what I come up with.

 

I shimmed the lever on my 99 and all play is gone. My truck has 218k on it.

 

there is i think 2 torx screws undeer the dash that loosen up over time, what to do it get under there with a flash light, look up into the shifter area, they are kinda hard to get to but tighten them up and it'll be like new

 

Ditto on the torx screws. I actually had one fall on the floor. Screwed it back in and tightened them both. Almost all the play was gone. There is also an adjusting wheel for fine tuning the gear indicator needle in the gauge cluster.

 

Does anyone have a photo of which 2 screws we are talking about? I was trying to help a coworker last week with this problem but didn't know which 2 screws to go after.

 

I went and got the whole replacement shaft and tube from the dealer. Mine is in pretty bad shape and sometimes won't make it into park. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

I replaced the shaft and tube. It took about an hour and a half. It is so much better.

 

OK, I might be an idiot, but I couldn't get the upper half of the steering column cover off when I tried last night. Took out the three phillips screws and screwed out the height adjustment ****, and the bottom popped right off. But the top half was held in by the ignition switch, and I didn't want to tear into that right then. I couldn't see any kind of torx screws no matter how I looked at it. Does anyone know how to get the cover off, and have a better way of describing where exactly that they are, cause I can't find anything?

 

If you look at the bottom cover, you will notice a small hole in under the ignition cylinder. Take note of where that hole is and locate it on the column itself. You need a long skinny screwdriver or a straight pick- turn the key to the on position and insert your screwdriver or pick into the hole to push up on the retaining pin on the key cylinder, then it should slide right out.

 

Thanks for the answer to my question too!! I love my Truck!!

My Ford truck friends ain't bad either.

Cheers,


~

 

automatic shift lever 1972 f250 has a lot of slop. it can be in nuetral but pointer is on D

 

When my old 97 F150`s shift leaver got sloppy I pulled back the rubber boot on the bottom of the leaver and tightened the set screw.
or it was on my dad's 97 chevy, I can't remember

 

Hey ddesens, what did you shim and with what? I took mine apart for
the slop in the lever problem and there is "play" between the shift shaft
and the tube that it runs through. I think that will be bushings? but the
lever itself has some wiggle too. Could you "splain" that shim thing? dd