Loose shift lever windstar 2000

[Lucianp]

I have a Windstar 2000 and have noticed the gear shift lever is looser than it should be. In fact I can here it vibrating as I drive.

I have read some possible ideas on this forum and elsewhere but none seem to be right.

It shifts gear ok, it's just that it is loose and I'm afraid it will come off someday.

Other posts on this forum suggest the torx screws connected to a white box under the dash. I checked these and the box is firm and the screws are tight. The cable seems ok too.

Looking up under the dash, I wiggled the shift lever but did not see any movement under the dash which leads me to think it may be something like a retaining bracket that holds the lever on. I just cannot get into it.

I tried taking the cover off the steering column but got held up with the steering wheel positioning lever. How do I get that off? or at least the knob off the end.

It is my only vehicle so I have to do a bit, check it, and put it all back together to drive.

Any help is appreciated.
thanks

[94LebConv3La604]

How much play does it have? It's possible the retaining pin is worn?

[12Ounce]

Just unscrew that lever .... it has threads on the end of the rod.

The steering wheel is a bit tricky for the first time you remove one .... there is a 10 mm bolt (IIRC) that drives a normal bolt , but thru a gear drive .... so, this 10 mm bolt has to be turned several turns CCW before the strg whl is loose.

[94LebConv3La604]

I would recommend picking up a Haynes manual if you don't already have one. They recommend removing quite a bit of trim to get the steering column covers off. As for the tilt lever, there should be a small nut holding it on at the end closest to the driver's door but before the plastic end nub. You can use a small adjustable wrench to remove it.

The trim panels that Haynes recommends you remove are the Knee Bolster, Knee Bolster Reinforcement Panel, Headlight Switch Bezel, Radio Trim Bezel, and Center Trim Panel. You should then remove the Tilt Lever and the screws from the bottom steering column cover. They also say you should remove the key lock cylinder before removing the two steering column panels. When you are in there, do yourself a favor and stay away from any yellow wires. These are for the airbag system and messing with them may cause deployment of the airbags. Again, I highly recommend you have a Haynes manual to help as it provides some good pictures for identification.

[tempfixit]

Check on autozone.com for a manual, you will need to register but free. Also check with your local library, they may have a online version also.

[Lucianp]

Thanks everone for replying.

Just went to half price book shop and picked up a copy of Haynes. I expect I will be using it quite a lot now.

I also think it is a retaining pin. Have not found it in the book yet. Perhaps get a chance to look later. The tilt lever does not have a nut that I can see. It does have two flat sides on the stem so perhaps the whole thing turns.

I think I will need to see if Autozone carries a retaining pin before I go much further. I'd hate to have it all in bits then need to walk five miles to Autozone.

[94LebConv3La604]

Originally Posted by Lucianp

I think I will need to see if Autozone carries a retaining pin before I go much further. I'd hate to have it all in bits then need to walk five miles to Autozone.

Haha, good idea! Can always return it if it's okay!

[conrusco]

I would check to see if you have a broken shift tube.

[parkerb]

Originally Posted by Lucianp

Thanks everone for replying.

Just went to half price book shop and picked up a copy of Haynes. I expect I will be using it quite a lot now.

I also think it is a retaining pin. Have not found it in the book yet. Perhaps get a chance to look later. The tilt lever does not have a nut that I can see. It does have two flat sides on the stem so perhaps the whole thing turns.

I think I will need to see if Autozone carries a retaining pin before I go much further. I'd hate to have it all in bits then need to walk five miles to Autozone.

i know this is an old post but hey i used the search! curious if you had any final words or advice? i too have alot of slack on my '00.

tia,
parker

[wiswind]

I'm sorry, but I don't have any real help to offer.
I do have pictures for the '96 that show how to take the covers off the steering column.
They are from when I replaced the turn signal / multifunction switch.
For a good manual, I would recommend AlldataDIY, which is a copy of the FORD manual.
Note that 1999 was a major change year, so there are going to be some differences between my '96 and 1999-2003.

[da180]

All: I had this problem and mistakenly took it all apart just to diagnose. Although the torx screws were slightly loose, the problem was the pin holding the shift lever to the shift tube. The hole was oblong and worn out.

Get the Dorman replacement shift tube from an auto parts store and do the job once.

A word of caution though. You have to unbolt the steering columne to drop it down a few inches. DISCONNECT the shift indicator string first or you risk breaking it as I almost did.

The entire job for me was about 3 hours with no helper, auto mech. experience and plenty of tools.

[parkerb]

Originally Posted by da180

All: I had this problem and mistakenly took it all apart just to diagnose. Although the torx screws were slightly loose, the problem was the pin holding the shift lever to the shift tube. The hole was oblong and worn out.

Get the Dorman replacement shift tube from an auto parts store and do the job once.

A word of caution though. You have to unbolt the steering columne to drop it down a few inches. DISCONNECT the shift indicator string first or you risk breaking it as I almost did.

The entire job for me was about 3 hours with no helper, auto mech. experience and plenty of tools.

i get the impression that if you had to do this all over you wouldn't- too much of a hassle?

[da180]

Originally Posted by parkerb

i get the impression that if you had to do this all over you wouldn't- too much of a hassle?

Oh I think I would if I had to. The small matters are what annoy me the most on this car. I want to be able to shift it easily. As it turned out I had to take it apart a third time because it would not go into park correctly. I had to take the shift tube out and use some sandpaper on the casting. Works great now.

[Pontyhorse]

I just fixed my loose and sloppy shift lever on my 2000 Windstar V6. I had seen a youtube by a guy who clearly had a boroscope available, and showed the whole thing very clearly. In his case and mine, it was two loose torx screws which attach a mounting bracket to the column, and anchor the shift cable. It is almost impossible to see, even with a light and mirror. You have to go by "feel". (It helps if you're "Plastic Man", if you remember those old comics like I do.)

You remove the torx screws one at a time, applying blue Threadlocker to the threads, and snug them back in. ONE AT A TIME. Do not remove both or you'll regret it.

It fixed mine. Feels like new now.

Another thing, when it gets loose enough, you'll start to have starting problems because the interlock won't know you're in "park". Also, the car sometimes will start to roll when you think it's in "park".

The youtube site is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKqiDy_Po2M

[12Ounce]

Just a reminder: the driver's manual will always advise us to use the handbrake to keep the vehicle from rolling when parked. The P function in the tranny is a secondary safety to keep us from rolling away ... but if overused, without using the handbrake primarily; can lead to early tranny failure.