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Hello! I'm working on my '64 F-250 which we bought in late December '25. The transmission shifter (3 speed cuise-o-matic) was a bi wonky. Upon inspection I found that the shift collar was broke. Since I had already removed the wheel to replace the turn signal mechanism, I proceeded to remove the shift collar' and the shift tube came out with it. Now that I have a new shift collar, I decide to test fit it all together and that's where I'm stuck. The shift tube tab does not seem to want to slid into the shift arm at the base of the column. I've tried twisting the tube and the shift arm trying to get them to line up. My service manual does not address this part of the truck am my steering column and steering rod The broken shift collar Broken shift collar New shift collar Shift tube and spring The manual that does not address this....
d there is little online to review other than removing the steering column and reassembling on a bench. I don't want to force them so I'm looking for some insight. A few photos of what I have...
Not much I can offer that will help. That tab welded on the side of the shift tube has to line up with the notch in the shift arm and meanwhile that medium duty spring is applying pressure to the arm causing it to twist. It's a three-man job when it's in the truck. One to work the tube end, one to hold the shift arm - the last one is for moral support and to hold the beers for the other two.
Slightly different arm but similar to show the notch.
BTW, did you know you are missing the guts in the shift collar? They don't typically come with the guts installed so no surprise there - just don't put it together before you install those guts. That's what gives the shift arm its spring tension to not wobble or flop around.
With the two screws removed but everything else in place.
3 man job, that's where I went wrong. I only had me and my wife! Sounds like I'm on the right track - just need to keep trying.... And yes - I do have those components for the shift arm! Was waiting until I paint the collar to install that.
Not much I can offer that will help. That tab welded on the side of the shift tube has to line up with the notch in the shift arm and meanwhile that medium duty spring is applying pressure to the arm causing it to twist. It's a three-man job when it's in the truck. One to work the tube end, one to hold the shift arm - the last one is for moral support and to hold the beers for the other two.
Slightly different arm but similar to show the notch.
BTW, did you know you are missing the guts in the shift collar? They don't typically come with the guts installed so no surprise there - just don't put it together before you install those guts. That's what gives the shift arm its spring tension to not wobble or flop around.
With the two screws removed but everything else in place.
@TA455HO you are such a wealth of information, I'm not being a smart *** here, thanks for all of your input!
3 man job, that's where I went wrong. I only had me and my wife! Sounds like I'm on the right track - just need to keep trying.... And yes - I do have those components for the shift arm! Was waiting until I paint the collar to install that.
Thank you!!
Having just completed a similar job I can attest that it is much easier with the column removed. But it is still helpful to have another person with re-assembly. I cleaned lubed and aligned everything and now it works better than it ever has, very easy to shift and locks into the appropriate detent correctly which it hadn't before. It was kind of scary because it could slip into reverse and actually did once. Fortunately my neighbors fence brought things to a halt and no damage was done.
Ugh.... I've concluded that removing the column was next. I've had no success with it in the truck. Slipping into reverse - is exactly why I started to dig into this. The truck jumped into reverse just as I started it. Still had my foot on the brake but it was quite alarming. I told my wife to never stand behind the truck again... at least until I fix this!
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'64 F-250 Automatic Shift Tube Installation
