Shifter Bushings

[benms79]

ok, i got the shifter unbolted at top and pushed it through to bottom,moved the exaust to bring it through,undid the bolt right under the shifter, is this were the bushings are suppose to be? there is nothing there but the bolt and slides back and forth easy.

[Ogrestiva]

Hey Ogre,

If the shifter is loose on the topside, it is a sign of bad bushings in the linkages. The clutch or the transmission wouldn't have anything to do with the excess play in the shifter. I'd put money down that it's just the plastic bushings that have deteriorated to the point of no return.

I was talking about the difficulty shifting into second part.

ok, i got the shifter unbolted at top and pushed it through to bottom,moved the exaust to bring it through,undid the bolt right under the shifter, is this were the bushings are suppose to be? there is nothing there but the bolt and slides back and forth easy.

yes, they should fit right inside.

[benms79]

ok so there should be a bushing there,because the lingage just slides back and forth easy no bushing there. for the other end of the linkage at the trans, they are gone there to,but my question is how do you get the bolt off!! lol, the other end is on inside and theres no way to get to it,trans plate in the way.

[wrestler3025]

You need to use a wrench to hold the nut in place. You can access the nut from the hole in the crossmember. Use a rachet on the other side, and it will come off.

As far as the shifting into second part..it could also be your syncros in the transmission.

[Gomez]

I got aluminum ones for my car for free at the junk yard. You guys know the spacers that come with the rear shocks when you buy them at the parts store. Well I found, 2 cars at the local JY that had aftermarket shocks on 'em. They are a perfect fit, almost. All you have to do is use a Dremel and sanding drum to shorten the lip on the big side. I can't imagine it getting any tighter than this.

[Ogrestiva]

As far as the shifting into second part..it could also be your syncros in the transmission.

Like I said possibly the trans...but that MIGHT clear up if you fix the shifter, but it's probably the trans or something related.

[benms79]

You need to use a wrench to hold the nut in place. You can access the nut from the hole in the crossmember. Use a rachet on the other side, and it will come off.

As far as the shifting into second part..it could also be your syncros in the transmission.

i got everything back together, couldnt get the end off at the trans,that bolt is very hard to get to, i can get it loose,but im afraid if i get it off,i wont be able to get it back on.i can barly get my finger tip on it. i used a universal bushing from advance, had to slice it in halve, worked good for the one under the shifter, it made a big diffrence! still i lil sloppy from other end due to not being able to get to it. it also fixed going into gear easier. dont have to yank on it to go into 2nd! moves very easily now.would love to get the other end done though,maybe ill try again next weeknd.thnx for all the help guys!!

[Ogrestiva]

i got everything back together, couldnt get the end off at the trans,that bolt is very hard to get to, i can get it loose,but im afraid if i get it off,i wont be able to get it back on.i can barly get my finger tip on it. i used a universal bushing from advance, had to slice it in halve, worked good for the one under the shifter, it made a big diffrence! still i lil sloppy from other end due to not being able to get to it. it also fixed going into gear easier. dont have to yank on it to go into 2nd! moves very easily now.would love to get the other end done though,maybe ill try again next weeknd.thnx for all the help guys!!

I had a friend lay under the car whilst I held the bolt from the top. It was extremely hard to get to, but with the proper application of force, a long arm and about a half-hour of wiggle work, but we got it taken care of.

[Team Lightning]

Ford dealer had them in stock Part number 7A133 $8.00 each
02/09/09

[FB71]

^^^ yup, but most of us are too cheap to spend $30 on bushings...

[Team Lightning]

I needed the car running so I went ahead and bought them. It's a lot cheaper than my Dakota to drive 32 (1 way) miles to work. Also had to order a bolt for the pin I had to grind out, due to the bushing being worn out. Those were the ones causing the problems with shifting. I'm still waiting on the bolt so I can reassemble .

[88FestivaLX]

Are you all talking about the bushings at the shifter? Mine is really sloppy, but my problem is at the little u-joint thing that goes into the transmission.

[Team Lightning]

Well I got the bushings and installed them this morning. Now it doesn't go into gear at all. At first when I tried it, it felt and shifted like it did before the bushings were replaced. I loosened the shifter bolts a little, thought I might have tightened them too tight,now it wouldn't go into gear at all. Anyone have any ideas? The trans made no noise or anything different before when it quit going into the odd number gears.

Jerry