TH350: Column shifter issue, hard to find R D etc and also goes past P to left

[scottv]

I don't know if I have a transmission problem or if it's just my column shifter, but when I try to find Reverse, Neutral, Drive etc it's not very "notchy" or evident I'm in the correct gear. I have to give it gas to see if it goes the direction I'm trying for. Also, when I put the selector in Park, the selector pointer goes about 1/2" to the left of the "P". Is this an issue with my shifter, linkage, or transmission? Trying to troubleshoot and can't find anything on this issue. Thanks!

[Mr Handy]

Mine did the same thing, go under the hood and find the block that has the notches, next to/under the master cylinder. there is a rod that goes down to the trans and the other part ties into the column. There is a pinch bolt holding the rod going to the trans loosen that bolt and shorten the rod. this should bring the notches back into play.
I hope that explanation makes sense.

[Boog]

The linkage has some grommets and bushings that when worn will contribute to the slopiness too.

[LockDoc]

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Before you try the following there are two things you need to do. One is to check the shifter pointer behind the indicator lense and make sure it is in the correct position. There is a screw in the back and two little plastic hooks/locators/tabs in the front. Make sure that the hooks/locators/tabs are not broken off, or maybe they are not down in the slot which would allow the front of the pointer to move back and forth. The second thing is to spray some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, or something similar (not WD-40) into the steering column, where the shift lever goes in. Don't be afraid to give it a good dousing. After you spray it pull the shift lever up toward you and push it back down toward the dash. It should move up and down a couple of inches. Do this 4 or 5 times. This will help free up any sticking in the shift lever tube. The reason the shift lever moves up and down is because it should be pulled back towards you to shift it into and out of the park position.

After you have done that open the hood and loosen the adjustment bolt at the top of the rod that connects the transmission and the shifter arm on the steering column, crawl under the truck and manually shift the transmission into Park. Hold it in Park while someone puts the shift lever in the park position up above, then tighten the adjuster bolt back up. This should correct your problem.

Be sure and block your wheels before you start this.

LockDoc

[tarafied1]

I'm so glad this was posted! Mine is exactly the same as the OP. I had already squirted WD40 (oops) in the shifter on the column because it pretty much always stays forward. I got it freed up a little but it's still very hard to move back and forth. May need to try something else.
I squirted oil on the linkage under the hood because it was really hard to move and that made it easier to change gears but still hard to tell what gear it's in. I will try the adjustments of the rod and see if that helps!

[tarafied1]

I took some pics of mine, you'll notice the park indicator is like the OP's. I took a pic showing where my shifter sits and is really hard to move back and forward. And then a pic of the linkage under the hood, is this the adjustment?

[tarafied1]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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... check the shifter pointer behind the indicator lense and make sure it is in the correct position. There is a screw in the back and two little plastic hooks/locators/tabs in the front. Make sure that the hooks/locators/tabs are not broken off, or maybe they are not down in the slot which would allow the front of the pointer to move back and forth. The second thing is to spray some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, or something similar (not WD-40) into the steering column, where the shift lever goes in. Don't be afraid to give it a good dousing. After you spray it pull the shift lever up toward you and push it back down toward the dash. It should move up and down a couple of inches. Do this 4 or 5 times. This will help free up any sticking in the shift lever tube. The reason the shift lever moves up and down is because it should be pulled back towards you to shift it into and out of the park position.
.....
LockDoc

okay, I checked this and it looks okay. I squirted liquid wrench in the shifter at the pivot point. It's still very difficult to pull back and forth. Maybe with time...

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by tarafied1

okay, I checked this and it looks okay. I squirted liquid wrench in the shifter at the pivot point. It's still very difficult to pull back and forth. Maybe with time...

You need to put the nozzle in the opening where the shifter lever goes in and spray the crap out of it...so to speak. Pull the lever back and spray into the bottom side, then push it toward the dash and spray into the top side, then work the lever back and forth from steering wheel to dash. You are trying to get the lube "inside" the steering column.

LockDoc