bigray327

I was putting in my new driveshaft this weekend and I figured since I was under there and had access to the shifter, I would put in the new bushing that MGW was kind enough to send out (thanks, George, you guys rule). I was connecting the shifter to the transmission linkage arm and the dang thing BROKE. The threaded part of the arm (the piece that goes through the shifter bracket) literally broke off. I was so mad, with it being a holiday weekend and all, I'll be dead in the water until Tuesday.

I looked online and couldn't find a replacement part. Is this a Ford only part? Please tell me someone sells a beefier unit that won't break when you breathe on it wrong.

Thanks!

Hatchman

The only one I know of is the stocker. I'd get it overnighted from my local stealership, or if you have time get it from KC.

281GT

Yep, a Ford dealer will be the only place you could get that.

anthony05gt

You've got 2 choices. Grind what's left of the stud off, drill and tap it to 5/16'' and loctite a piece of all thread in there. I did that and it works well.

If you don't want to do that go to newtakeoff.com and order a OEM shifter. It comes with the arm. $50 plus shipping I know their website does not show the linkage arm with the pic of the shifter, but when I did a tranny swap for a guy recently I got the shifter from them and it did come complete with the arm.

bigray327

Crap, I was afraid it would be dealer only. Anthony, I thought about doing what you suggested, but was hoping someone offered a stronger alternative. $50 ain't bad... it'll be my pennance for being a moron.

Thanks everyone. Gotta love this forum.

anthony05gt

OK, I see you got the message. Good luck with it. You're not a moron, Ford just sold us some junk there.

169stang

$50 isn't bad...they're $139 from the stealership and that's with a hookup....a couple years ago. Maybe cheaper now. I did just what Anthony suggested to you. I ground it down flat, drilled a hole and then ran a grade 8 bolt thru. I had the head of the bolt tack welded but it needs to be square/90 degrees of the linkage arm. I broke mine shifting. Some people have broken theirs by overtightening the nut. It's cheap chinsy pot metal.

bigray327

Get this: Ford wants $260 for the part!! That's dollars, not pesos. And that's with a 5 day delivery time.

Newtakeoff.com hooked me up for $50 for the entire shifter assembly, from the stick all the way to the transmission hook-up. The real kicker is the $88 for overnight shipping on a $50 part, but I can probably unload the shifter without the linkage arm for lunch money on eBay. Beats renting a car while I wait for the Ford mule to deliver it.

Thanks again...

scramblr

Yeah, don't feel bad. I stripped out the threads on the end that goes through the shifter. Figured out you couldn't just get the arm so I bought a shifter from Newtakeoff. Mine was $19 or $29. Funny thing is I told the guy I only needed the arm and he asked me if this was happening a lot. I told him I'd seen it happen a few times. Two weeks later they upped the price to $49. LOL...gotta love America!!!

bigray327

Just wanted to say thanks to those that replied. I got my new $2 piece of metal from that web site (which charged $88 for overnight shipping that took two days) and everything went on easily. The new Spydershaft - the reason I was under there in the first place - is awesome.

Next up: twin fuel pumps!