Steering linkage? NEW --problem....

[SGM_JakeAlex]

I undid my steering linkage near the transmission end the other day so I could work around it. When I went to hook it back up, I noticed that it was harder for me to go from park to reverse, drive, etc. After bringing my gear shifter back to park, I noticed it feeling loose. After trying to put it into drive, my shifter now moves back and forth without actually going into the different gears. When I move the shifter and look at the linkage under the hood, the linkage doesn’t move. Can anyone explain what I have done and how I can fix it?

Thanks

 

[Viperwolf1]

There are detents in the column for the shift arm and there are detents in the transmission for the shift lever. When it's properly adjusted they both match. Loosen the nut at the trans lever and put the trans in drive by pulling the lever back 3 clicks. Now put the shifter in drive. Tighten nut. Sometimes you might need to adjust the neutral safety switch alignment after adjusting the shifter.

 

[broncnaz]

Probably just knocked the shift linkage while working on it and its out of wack. Adjust as viperwolf said.

 

[SGM_JakeAlex]

ok... The first part of the instructions I understand but the part about adjusting the neutral safety switch alignment threw me off....

 

[Viperwolf1]

ok... The first part of the instructions I understand but the part about adjusting the neutral safety switch alignment through me off....

After the shifter adjustment make sure you can start it in PARK and NEUTRAL. If so you're good to go.

If not put the trans in NEUTRAL and grab a small drill bit and a 7/16" wrench. Loosen the NSS bolts and insert the drill bit into the tiny hole above the shift lever. You may have to rotate the NSS to get the bit to drop in all the way. Once lined up tighten the two bolts and you're done.

 

[SGM_JakeAlex]

I'm working on this issue now but when I move my gear shift it isn't movi g the linkage. If I move the linkage up and down it slides freely as does my gear shifter. Does this mean I need to remove the steeringwheel and look for a problem at that end as well?

Also tried to adjust the NSS but I couldn't get the bit to slide in any further by moving the switch around. This is assuming I'm doing it correctly....

 

[Viperwolf1]

If the linkage is still connected on the firewall end of the column then the problem would be inside the column itself.

 

[SGM_JakeAlex]

Ok so I found my problem as you can see by the pictures. I know the pics aren’t the best in the world but as far as you can see, the part that’s broke, it that part of the column sleeve?
If so, and if that’s all I need to fix my shifting problem, to remove the broken column and replace with a new do I have to remove the entire column and slide it down the column due to the signal wires?

 

[Viperwolf1]

I believe thats all part of the cloumn sleeve. JBG has a rebuild kit that includes the sleeve.

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-17012-column-rebuild-kit-auto-73.htm

And they have the sleeve by itself.

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-17017-column-shift-sleeve-auto-1973-77.html