Shift Linkage Broken at the Transaxle
 

Hey guys, long time lurker but this is my first post so please take it easy on me! :p

I've got an '02 Escape, 3.0L w/ the CD43. The linkage broke where it connects to the shifter lever (for lack of better terms) on the transaxle itself. To the best of my understanding; there is a little rubber or plastic grommet/bushing that holds the plastic ring of the linkage to the pin on the transaxle's shift lever. That piece has disappeared and my shift linkage will no longer stay on the lever for more than a day or two.

Though this seems to be a fairly popular problem with the first few years of the Escape, I can't seem to find a popular solution! I did a quick google search and then a search on here and came up empty handed except for drilling/cotter pinning the lever or coughing up the $$$ to replace the whole linkage.

My question is; Has anyone fixed this problem and what did you do? OR Can someone give me a part # or place that I can get a replacement grommet! The junkyard was fresh out of Escapes this past weekend :(

Thanks fellas!
Taylor

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