Column Shifter too soft

[VileZambonie]

Determine where the play is. Although there are good replies in this thread the diag is all over the place so don't just start whipping parts at it. Have an assistant move the shift lever and observe where the movement is. Check the pivot points and bushings, make sure the frame mount, spring and bushing are intact. Make sure the linkage adjustments are tight.

[jason d o]

Vile i have the same problem with my pickup. Can you explain more on how you can adjust it? I can see that the spring is there on the frame mount but its oily where the plastic bushing goes. I can clean off that area to check it but is there an adjustment to make it tight again? Also on the trans linkage i can see where the cotter pin is it is wearing part of it down like there is movement there that shouldnt be.

[VileZambonie]

Chock the wheels and have an assistant wiggle the shifter. Observe from the shift tube on the column all the way down to the trans. It should be visible as to what's worn out.

[jetmech]

The spring goes under the shift lever near the end that is inside the column. I found my spring broken and causing the problem you are having.

[87454westernhauler]

i also am having problems with the shifter also. drive is neutral, neutral reverse and reverse is in park and it just barely clicks in to park on the column. works, but isn't right.

[modular93fox]

i also am having problems with the shifter also. drive is neutral, neutral reverse and reverse is in park and it just barely clicks in to park on the column. works, but isn't right.

Simply adjust the linkage from under the truck, easier to have someone put put it in park from up top, loosen the bolt on the shifter linkage under the truck and get a feel for the "middle" of park. Then have the person up top go through the gears amd making sure they can go from p to 1... if all is good, and the needle is off, remove the lower 2 trim pieces of the column and move the clamp with the wire on it.. its clamped on to the shifter plastic sleeve. if you dont understand what im describing, just take a look at your truck...

[87454westernhauler]

i just moved the indicator on the column and seems to function ok right now.

[devanray]

yes i am... thank you

If you are stil having issues (from over a month ago) definitely get that spring in, if you can't find the bushing just use a washer as a retainer and make sure you have the bolt tightened @ 20lbs with a washer spring.

[beastie_3]

20 ft/lbs?

[devanray]

20 ft/lbs?

Yup. According to Chilton, just crank her down to 20 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench.

[Camfirchev]

The spring goes under the shift lever near the end that is inside the column. I found my spring broken and causing the problem you are having.

X=2  Most every Car/Truck I have ever seen has has had a broken shifter return spring.  It is hard to tell how large the spring is in the picture.. But my guess for what you are dealing with is the little spring that returns the shift lever into the locked position after you pull the shifter out of the park position.  If you punch out the rollpin that holds the shift lever on the column and pull the shifter out take a look into the hole and the spring will be on the back side recessed into a small hole.
 The only other spring that looks like the one in the picture is the lock spring for the tilt wheel, but it is quite a bit larger.

[topp]

I recently had to replace the "little" spring for my shifter.
It was bent and smooshed.

To replace it, you have to rip into the column, like you are gonna fix the "tilt wobble".
Once you get the column torn down, it is easy to grab with needle nose pliers and you pull it off a "knob". Insert the new one and push it onto the "knob".