Gear shifter kind of loose (auto)

[Duanesz]

Just got a new to me 2000 250. The gear shifter seems to have alot of slop in it. My 03 F-150 was way tighter that this. Is there a part that wears out on the linkage or something in the steering column?

Thanks

[Highwaywrench]

You can check up under the column. if it hasn't changed a whole bunch, there are a couple of backward facing torx head screws, that hold a lever to the mechanism. They come loose, allowing slop.

Also, there is a pin through the shifter handle, into a boss on the barrel of the main mechanism. This pin is harder than the cheap alloy of the bosses. so the bosses wear, and cause slop. I have shimmed these up, by drilling it to square, then inserting pieces of stainless steel fitting sleeve in there as a bushing. put the pin back in, and you're good to go. When you take it apart, the two parts that I mean, will become easily apparent.

[Duanesz]

Thanks I will look tomorrow

[391dman]

Originally Posted by Highwaywrench

You can check up under the column. if it hasn't changed a whole bunch, there are a couple of backward facing torx head screws, that hold a lever to the mechanism. They come loose, allowing slop.

Also, there is a pin through the shifter handle, into a boss on the barrel of the main mechanism. This pin is harder than the cheap alloy of the bosses. so the bosses wear, and cause slop. I have shimmed these up, by drilling it to square, then inserting pieces of stainless steel fitting sleeve in there as a bushing. put the pin back in, and you're good to go. When you take it apart, the two parts that I mean, will become easily apparent.

Good info, I'll be doing this on my truck too!