Posted by Earl Pillow (IP: 166.102.105.14) on August 03, 2000 at 10:02:08:
In Reply to: sloppy/loose column shift (automatic) posted by roadrage on August 02, 2000 at 08:19:19:
Most likely this is a combination of problems. You CAN have a sloppy shifter, where the parts have worn or actually broken, and you can also have a worn out transmission (with regards to the shift mechanism). As MavDude said, you need to disconnect your linkage and manually shift your transmission. It's very easy to tell if the tranny shifts smoothly (clicks into each gear without excess play), or if it is sloppy and loose. If your car is actually slipping from park into reverse, this sounds like a transmission problem, as even the sloppiest shifter shouldn't have enough weight to cause a healthy tranny to change gears. There may also be a rubber or polyethelene grommet at the attachment point where your shifter linkage attaches to the transmission. If this is worn out or even missing, the shift rods will slide back and forth, creating slop in the shifter. I've personally had this happen on several Fords. Lastly, your shifter/linkage may be worn or bent out of shape. If you can get someone to help you, physically take a look at the linkage under the hood while someone else actuates the shifter on the column. It should be fairly simple to see if there is a lag between when the shifter is moved and the shift linkage. If this is the case, check all of your external bushings for wear or damage. If that doesn't fix it, you might go looking for a boneyard steering column. Good luck and let us know how it goes.