Shift linkage broke on column!

[MonsterBIlly]

Is this a common issue. I have my rig in shop right now. Dude said he went to out it in gear and the shift linkage lever spot welds broke. He said said he has seen it often if fords.

 

[nvrstuk]

Yup... welcome to Ford's 3 spd column shift...quality materials.... :%)

 

[Broncobowsher]

Automatic or manual transmission?

Yes, the column shifters do break. In different ways. I just had a low mileage '77 twist the guts out of the pot metal on the shift collar.
This is also why you find a lot of floor shift conversions, often it is the easy way out.

 

[1strodeo]

Dude said he went to out it in gear and the shift linkage lever spot welds broke. He said said he has seen it often if fords.

then you would think he'd be more careful in an old Ford

 

[Bronco 4 life]

ya it’s common had it happen 2 times in my 74 auto the spot welds rip out of the thin shift tube for the shift key.. the last time it happened I had no money to fix it and it was my only transportation to high school and work plus I had half day at the tech school downtown so it needed to work so I drilled a hole in the tunnel and ran the shift rod up through the floor lol!!!! and no I do not recommend doing this by any means just a kid with a cool bronco and no money

 

[jckkys]

I think "Dude" needs to fix it and get any parts needed. It worked for 44 yrs. Then a ham handed mechanic broke it. All makes of shift tube were made the same way. For about 30 yrs. the shifters are cable operated but no more robust.

 

[DirtDonk]

Never known anyone personally who broke one, but have certainly seen plenty of worn out ones on all brands of car and truck. May depend on the build, or it may depend on how hard of a life it had.
Later trucks had that lower lever screwed to the bottom of the column, but those were well known for working loose and making shifts hard. Not to mention being part of the whole "popping out of Park" issue they had.

Unfortunately I don't know of a new-parts fix for yours. Not sure exactly where it broke and the only part that is still available new (that I know of) is the "bell" or shift lever socket up at the steering wheel where the shift lever enters. You can see them on this page: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/category/Bronco_Stock_Column_Parts
Both manual and auto are made, but if it's the shift tube itself, you'll have to fix it because stock of those dried up a couple of years ago now.

Is there enough material and clearance to rivet or re-weld it?

Paul

Good luck. Hopefully it's a quick fix