Tranny concern

[ruddy16]

Hey everyone, long time reader new poster here. I'm apologizing for the length now!

I am the proud owner of a green 94 MTX and have found loads of info here, but on my way to work today I ran into a problem. I went to shift into 3rd, and noticed that the stick moved up a little more than normal. I thought it was weird but thought nothing of it until I downshifted into 2nd. It went in no problem, but the shifter went lower than normal and also moved a little to the right... weird, but I managed to get to work. I work at Wal-Mart in the Tire/**** express and work with some guys who are really knowledgable, and one guy suggested it was my shifter bushings finished. I was planning on going tomorrow to get it checked out by the mechanic I bought the car through, but when I went to leave work, i couldnt get it into gear at all. It felt like the shifter was just tilting something, and it was stiff as ****. Anyways, I shut the car off and after fighting it for a while managed to pop it into 2nd. I live about 5 mins away so I drove it home in 2nd. I have no idea what is happening, I consider myself advanced in mechanics - except when it comes to trannys . Anyways any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Edit: I've searched and found something about a "boss" where the rod goes into the tranny thats broken on a few people... could this be the culprit? I'm going to have it up on a hoist at work tomorrow and I just want to know what to check for.. Thanks!

 

[projectSHO89]

First, check to make certain you didin't drop a subframe corner. When one of them drops (usually one of the rears), the shifter mechanism gets bound up. It also causes the steering be affected. You didn't mention this, but do check for it.

Other than that, get it on the hoist and have someone try to run it through the gears (engine off) while you inspect the linkage.

Steve

 

[NJSHO]

It might be the "boss," but I would just get under the car and check the rod shifter. There's a little black box mounted on the underside of the car directly under the shifter. Make sure that when apply pressure to it, it doesn't move.

 

[ruddy16]

Ok, here's the update:

Had it up today and saw something that i shouldn't have. There are 2 rods going from the black casing under the shifter (bottom of car). One is the shift linkage the other looks like a stabilizer or a bracket of some sort, anchored onto the tranny. Well, turns out that bracket snapped in half on me... but the real kicker is I saw a bunch of duct tape or something as if the previous owner tried to half ass the fix or something! Anyways, that's my problem, causing a LOT of play in that black box, like moving freely. Now, I'm in the situation where I need to know what that part is called. Say if I were to call Ford to ask them for the part, what would I ask for? I know I could probably weld it, but I don't want any more hassles with it, so (depending on the price) I will probably just replace it. Looks easy enough, just a few bolts. So, if anyone can tell me what that rod is called, and maybe an approximate price for it, I'd be grateful. Also, opinions on just welding it are welcome as well.

Thanks again guys

Jimmy

Edit: Unrelated question, is that black box the one people recommend filling with bearing grease?

 

[ohfosho]

buy one off of sombody on here...the dealer will rip you a new one on pricing i bet. but they have a computer program that they can print off a diagram and name the piece you need...

 

[ruddy16]

The Latest:

I got half the rod off (half that bolts into the tranny). Found that the other end wraps around the shifter, not just bolts into it. Tried dropping the shifter assembly out, but realized I had to take my exhaust off to give the shifter room to drop. So I got everthing out finally then I went to Ford, what a waste of time. 1) They don't sell that piece separately, the have to sell it with the whole shifter assembly. 2) They don't have any stock on it, and would have to put one on emergency order, and 3) They want 800 bucks for it! Forget that. Welding looks like a good option for me here. Or, at least it would if there wasn't so much rust on the rod. Figures, the only thing rusty on the whole underbody is that stupid rod. I'm thinking of just using steel tubing and making a "sleeve" of sort for the rod. Sound like a good idea at this point or what? If there is one piece of advice I can give to any SHOwner, get your underbody rustproofed. I wish these were more common in my area (Toronto Area, Canada).

Jimmy