1978F250 Shift Tube

[BigOrange78]

78 F250 4x4 AT without tilt. i had someone in last few months replace shift collar. Shouldof just done it myself as they didn't do the greatest and shortly thereafter to make matters worse the hole shift tube just "broke loose" and spins. I took the wheel and everything apart recently to assess the situation. My main question is how do you properly install the shift tube to where it engages the shift fork properly? I have the shop manuals and the diagram but was hoping for some practical advice/tip. I currently have everything removed now except the outer housing (steering column assembly to use manual lingo)and the shift fork. The manual refers to a "wave washer" --that i'm not sure I have---perhaps it's in there I don't know. I'm wondering if there is a problem with my shift fork.
thank you !

 

[Mil1ion]

The shift lever on the bottom of the steering column has a tendency to round out from guys "throwing it into park" instead of gently placing it in park

You will have to remove the column to repair /replace the part show here

7302

 

[BigOrange78]

Thank you. I will take the column and shift lever out. My books I have (JBG, LMC, DC, and Obsolete)--all have lots of column pieces parts but I don't think any of them have this specific part for my 78. Any vendor tips?

 

[Mil1ion]

That part is probably still available from a Ford Dealer.
Maybe Bill will come by and post where.

Make sure you have eveything you need listed before you start ordering parts.

I may have that part laying around from parting out 2 columns.

 

[BigOrange78]

upon further review just now I think what happened is the folks that put my new shift collar (or "lower flange")a few months ago didn't reassemble everything just right and the assembly shifted out of position. Everything seems to be mostly OK. I have 2 things amiss---1)there isn't a shift lever bushing (and thankfully most all the normal vendors have these) and 2)the lever spring is broken and i'll need to monkey with some hardware store springs to find something that works better than what I have currently which is 2 broken pieces. I can see that it needs to be very stiff and 1-1/8"x 3/8" appx. A question I have is the two goofy "connecting bolts" -do the bolt head edges simply insert into the slots in the outer steering column assembly tube? that's about the only way I can see that it would work. Interesting to learn how this whole assembly fits together. Basically if i'm seeing it right you have a snap ring and a fraction of the edge of these 2 bolt heads are the only means to retain this assembly from "springing" out of where it is inserted into the shift fork. Am I thinking properly??? thanks!

 

[Mil1ion]

I'm not sure if you are talking about the 3 bolts with claw style keeper that grabs onto a flange that holds the whole thing together after you draw one pice of column to the other ? The heads of these bolts have an allen head.

I'll get the proper diagram posted here.

 

[BigOrange78]

yep the "claw style" bolts that hold the whole thing together yes. Only you mention 3 and that may be one of my problems (Ithere were only 2). i didn't think to look at the upper flange to see if there were 3 holes. Sounds like another hardware store trip. (got me a new sping at Ace this morning). Is there any bushing tips to save me from having to order an $8 part, pay shipping and wait for days? that seems to be about all I will need to acquire. thank you Dennis for the diagrams and advice

 

[Mil1ion]

Which bushing ?

 

[Mil1ion]

There are 3 on a tilt column 2 on a fixed column

 

[BigOrange78]

shift lever bushing. i didn't have one existing all I had was the 7D439 pin securing the 7210 shift lever into the shift colar/upper flange. there isn't one shown on the diagram above so heck maybe I don't even need one. I just saw the bushings on the parts pages where all these items are listed and assumed i needed one

 

[Mil1ion]

A shift lever bushing could also be part number 7341.

It is a neoprene grommet but because the shifter arm attaches to it swivels , and runs directly to the transmission they call it a bushing.

What was the number for the bushing that you read ?