Dan, you have a great video here..... I have a 1999 Ford Ranger... and my shifter has been sloppy for awhile; years!. My shifter tube was not broken, but figured after 24 years, if all of the stress, I figured I'd get new parts. The bracket @6:22, I discovered on mine, the bolt sheared right off the other week. I was like how the hell do I get to that!?!? I had no idea it was relatively easy. There was a little stub piece I could unscrew, but it didn't matter since I had new parts. I did end up going to Ford and getting new Star screws. 4 for $15.00 😞 I ended up getting new Tube and Plunger assemblies, and bushings, as shown in the video, starting @5:57 mark. NOT from the Ford Dealership, but OEM Ford parts online. I used white silicone grease to lube up the assembly. And "blue" threadlock to keep things together. Boy, my truck shifts so smoothly..... never in all of the years, do I recall it being that smooth and tight.
My repair went pretty much as explained in the video. Thanks so much for the very helpful instructions. Here are a few key points that really made a difference: 1. Disconnect the link to the transmission cable before lowering the column (easy to pop off) 2. Mark the footprint of the rear pair of column bolts to aid in re-alignment when re-assembled 3. Don’t bother removing the upper column cover until after lowering the column and be sure to re-install before re-mounting the column. That saved a lot of fussing with this plastic cover. 4. Disconnect the indicator cable early and perhaps dismount it from the column it to avoid damage when the column is lowered. Mine only had one screw and the cable was short enough to become tight before the steering wheel rested on the seat. 5. Dismounting the solenoid bracket to enable removing the tube with shifter bracket attached was a big winner 6. If the width of your hand across the knuckles when pressed against a surface, like a karate punch, is more than 3.5” you might be better off removing the entire column instead of just lowering it. Or, find an assistant with smaller hands. 7. Shift Tube Part Number: 1F1Z7212AA and Shift Tube Bushing: F3TZ7L278A fit my 1992 Aerostar
As a mechanic I recommend to fully lubricate the inner shaft with a heavy grease, insert the tube. Lubricate the tube (with grease also) where the bushings are with the clamps. You will feel a "tighter" and smoother operation when shifting.
Absolutely Awesome Vid. Just had to replace this exact item on my dad's 2000 F250 Super Duty. I completed the entire job with the help of your Video. Thanks Amigo. Very Helpful.
I have a 2003 Ford F-150 and I didn’t have to remove the dash. Great video! It was throughly explained and good with visuals. Literally just fixed mine and it went well. Thank you!!
Just did a Steering column repair because of a sloppy gear selector. Over time the metal end of the gear selector will wear away the aluminum gully on the shifter tube. The new damper is a thick rubber, not the metal they used to use. You need to grease the plunger, spring and the lever that goes towards the back. When you drop the entire column by removing the 4 nuts, what can you use to rest it on so that it doesn't pull any wires or harnesses out of place. I removed the 2 front nuts and backed out the back two until the last thread. It's not impossible but some guys leave out the shortcuts on these videos. Splain me some details about the column drop. Thanks PJ
Mine broke Sunday in exactly the same place. Thanks to your video I was back in business Tuesday morning. Thanks from a Grandma in Iowa. Love these DIY videos.
Was having the same issue that started mild and got progressively worse over a few years (breaking point was when it would intermittently start because it couldn't tell if it was fully in neutral), but luckily my shifter tube wasn't broken - just had loose bolts holding it to the bracket - tightened those up and replaced the plastic bushings on the tube and it goes fully into park again! thanks for your video!
My explorer had a moderate problem in that it wouldn't go easily into reverse or park. Shop said I needed a new transmission, but I could fenagle it into reverse if I was lucky so I said nope it's not a transmission problem. Took apart my steering column expecting to have a loose or broken shift cable ($50 repair), but this video confirmed to me all that was missing was a bolt to pin the shift tube to the cable. Shop said I needed a $1200 repair, when all I need is a 20c bolt. Thanks for making this video you saved me thousands!
Amazingly helpful video. Glad I read through the comments so I didn't have to remove the dash. Replaced the tube and bushing for under $50 with OEM genuine Ford parts. I was able to reuse the inner rod. '99 F-350 XL very happy to be up and running again. The A1 Auto video is also very helpful.
Didn't have this issue, but was troubleshooting another that required me to take apart the column. Thanks for the instructions, especially getting it back together. It was a PITA squeezing the side next to the ignition but got it back on snug.
There is a small button under the ignition switch. Put the key in, turn the switch to the on position (not start), push the small button under the switch and the whole ignition switch comes out.
Moved my truck during lunch at work, and it wouldn't go into park. A minute of trying things later and a small bit of metal fell to the floor then I couldn't leave Drive. Thought I broke the cable. Limped it home, disconnected the cable on both ends and it was functioning fine. Transmission shaft lever was working fine. Looked up under the dash, yup the column was broke. Thank you.
Thanks for the vid. Just did mine on a 04 250 6.0 went smooth. Also this is a very common issue with these vehicles. Typically see them break like.the one you have shown. Or the black plastic bushings completely deteriorate. Thanks again was very helpful!
Thankyou. The best explanation video I have ever followed. I am not a mechanic and was easlily able complete the repair following you excellent instruction.
I followed all these directions and this worked perfectly. I would like to add 2 possibilities you may want to check: #1 FIRST check your transmission range sensor (by your transmission, under the truck and is also called a "neutral safety switch"). This was the chain reaction problem that led to me having to replace this shifter column " twice ". This led to requiring extreme force to shift, therefore causing the column shifter to break, then causing the next problem: #2 The Shift cable housing broke from forcing the shifter and bent the shift cable at a 45° angle, leading me to have to replace it also. So...if your range sensor is seized, replace it first, then replace your cable if it appears bent, THEN this column shifter. Remember...the column shifter IS cheap metal...and there has to be a reason it broke in the first place. If you check these 2 items first and they are functioning properly, then it's just wear and tear of a cheap part. Otherwise, you get to learn how to do this in your sleep! 🤣
Thank you for the instruction video. I really like how you edit. ie.. just press the linkage back on (cut video, cuss, swear at it, bandage bloody knuckles) and there you are all fixed, just so easy. Now get me a bottle of Jack to calm my nerves and kill the pain in my hands, and reflect on possibly pay someone to do a half ass job on your truck repairs in the future. Semper Fi
Great video, lots of details and hints, love it! Question, the screws holding the underside cover, are they Philips? I saw you had a yellow handled driver and what size, #2? Mine just broke and I'm trying to evaluate the damage.
Great video! I have a 92 f250 everything went so smooth, I was even able to fix my broken shifter-directional cable bracket with everything dismantled. Love RU-vid
Nice video, thanks. You don't have to take off the upper gauge cluster though. Doesn't really help any and the older ones have a tendency to crack pretty easily, during removal.
On my 2002 F-150 Supercrew,I never had this issue but at one time I noticed that the shifter was not smooth and required some strength to put it into any gear on the transmission,it made a weird thud or shift every time I did,and some times when I would put the shifter back into neutral or park,it would sound like a crack.This happened very soon right before I ended up selling the truck,I never addressed or looked in to it,but I did mention it in detail to the person who was buying it.
Man I wish I saw the first two minutes and 22 seconds of this video yesterday I was stranded and I thought that they would be away to do what you said but all of my efforts were in vain thanks for your video
Great video thanks!!!does this apply for Ford expedition and my light don't turn on .can I bypass that and figure out the difference what gear it's on if no light in the power led ?thanks.
I got a 95 4x4 7.3 similar problem. I bought as is changed all this already new cable ect. Tried to shift trans by hand from underneath same story. Any other idea? Double checked everything to make sure on connections.
awesome video man! my 07 F150 XL (column shifter) is extremely lose and I cannot shift the transmission (I can crawl under and change it from there fine and I drove +150 miles like it since I was on a trip), the truck is currently in the dealership so I'm hoping it's a simple fix as like that, however, yesterday morning when I started the truck and tried shifting, it actually shifted fine! which leaves me wondering! anyway, thanks man for the great video!
What is the thread pitch for the torx bolts that hold the cable arm on if you happen to know? One of mine snapped off so I only have neutral and drive.
Ur supposed to use a new pin. the manuals says so anyway. I just did the bushings on my 98 grand marquis. Then the shifter cable rotted at the trans. Now I need an MLPS because I have to wiggle sometimes in P to start it :lol:. I thought the bushings would fix that.
Hey Dan I've got an 05 e250 with the needle all the way to the right... You mentioned in your video that a part's broken If it's stuck all the way to the right... I haven't taken the panel off to see what's broken but do you know what that part is? I've seen shift indicators online for around $20 or $25 with the cable. Is this harder to replace the whole thing than the repair the indicator itself? Thanks, TJ
Daniel, I'm hoping you can help me. My issue is the metal bracket that bolts onto the linkage with two bolts has broken. I don't know how to find the right part other than going to a junkyard and taking one from a truck. Any suggestions?
I have a 1997 ford f150. At 10:28 in the video you mention connecting the gear shift indicator cable. What is the white part called that holds that cable in place? Mine is broken and I am looking for the part. thanks for any help.
Hey Daniel I had recently replaced my shifter column in my 2001 f 250 super duty but now the horn, dome light, wipers, and power windows do not work along with a bad shifter solenoid....if you could get back to me with any advice please do
I know this is an old video but do you know the name of the bushing you swapped at 7:41-7:48? I’ve searched quite a bit and can’t find it. Everything with my shifter column is good other than that bushing between the handle and column, it’s allowing for a decent amount of slope
Yeah my shifter just collapsed wow u made it look so easy ...but I dont know if I am gonna be that lucky but we will see thank you very much... freaking weird things breakdown on these fords motor tranny bulletproof 201k strong..but thanks again .
excellent video. thanks for this. why dont the mfg make cars that can be repaired anymore? this model year is so easy to repair/fix compared to the new models.
Poor design? You are too kind! :0) It's a pile of crap! I've had nothing but problems with this shifter since I bought my 2002 F-150. It just snapped today and is flopping in the breeze! Love the truck, but the shifter is crap. Thanks for doing this video!
followed video to the letter everything works fine now, Only I added something, I put a small dab of silicone to outside of bushings and some never seize to inside of bushing before clamping down,
