shift failure

[warren]

My '97 Expd'n lost the shift and there I was, stuck in reverse, unable to start or drive home. I finally got under the dash, moved the cable to neutral, started the vehicle, reached under again and into DRIVE. Later, I took the column down completely, found that the two bolts that hold the steel cable bracket to the end of the shift shaft were gone, and one half of one threaded bolt hole in the pot metal broken out. I took the two shifter shaft clamps out, took the shifter out completely, applied Loctite to one bolt, put that in tight. Then drilled and tapped a 6-32 thread in the pot metal and put that size screw in, which sort of 'pinned' the steel bracket, then used a 1/4-24 bolt & nut to secure the broken out half, welded a small piece of steel to the nut and to the steel bracket. Put it back in and now... it works, shifts nicely again.
I forgot to install the safety neutral switch ... this is great because now I can start the car in any position... saves time and bother... foot on the brake, start and go. Most of this 'safety' business is for the morons among us that have no common sense. I work out of my Expedition every day, so ...
Note: Always use blue Loctite on any shifter bolts & threads. Will save a lot of trouble in the long run.

Also, two years ago the pot metal clamp that holds the plastic bearing at the rear of the shift shaft broke, making it tough to shift. Took the column down, made a STEEL clamp (I'm a metal guy) and that ended that failure. I used Loctite on those bolts also.

Thanks.
warren