column problem - need help

[greemero]

So about a year ago, I was out driving, and when I was done, I noticed I couldn't shift the transmission into Park. All the other gears work fine (Reverse, N, Drive, etc). I just can't get the thing to go into Park. Not that big a deal, I have just used Nuetral and the parking brake ever since.

Well, I've finally gotten around to trying to resolve this problem. My first big hurdle was removing the steering wheel (Finally got it off with the help of a buddy, 2 hydraulic jacks, some 2x6's, a steel punch and a hammer). Anyway, once off, I can't find anything that's wrong with the innards of the mechanisms. Everything seems to be intact, nothing's broken or appears missing.

So my next step was to remove the column - mostly to facilitate the installation of those two little black nuts. Anyway, after I got the column back together at the bench, I was messing with the shifter and got it to go into Park. Great!!! But now I can't get it out of Park

I'm really confused now. I don't know wtf it could be. Have any of you had a similar problem. I just don't know what else to look for.

[fordman]

i dont know if this is the problem. but the shifter housing collar has a detent in it that is shaped for each gear selection position. and the shifter arm has a special made portion where it fits the detents. maybe those are worn or something. were you able to see how those looked?

[greemero]

I checked that. Everything appears to be okay, fits in fine and lines up. I compared it to another shifter I have and looks pretty much the same. I guess I'll have to do more messin' tonight.

[SMF Speed&Custom]

Are you sure the column internally itself is the problem? I know in my 66 F100 every gear worked but 2nd. I couldn't get it into second and ONCE IN A WHILE it would but hard to get out... The bushings near the gear box and firewall (not sure the name) were wore out and linkage was loose near the tranny... Caused it to bind in a way and not go in. Maybe check out the bushings.