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1996 contour MTX shift linkage

R

ruggeri5054

CEG'er
Joined
Feb 1, 2013
Messages
55
ok, so aside from my coolant temp problem, the plastic universal joint on the "gear change rod" broke. No one has this part, including the stealership... what should I do? it is not the cable system, it is one rod.. I cant find one at a junk yard either... most of them are auto or already broken
 
I have the same setup as you and hope I don't have this problem some day. You might have to re-invent a joint for there or rebuild what you have somehow. Let us know how it goes.
 
it happened on the way to work at 6 am... snowing... on a hill....stuck in 5th gear... I bet you can imagine some foul words departed from my mouth
 
well I have it fixed for now.. I took two strong zip ties and a radiator hose clamp and fastened it back together! Shifts better than it ever has! lol
 
Hahaha. It's a bummer you have to "rig" it up to get by, but those parts are hard to find. Did you get the part number from the dealership for that universal joint of the rod shift?
 
blu_fuz said:
Hahaha. It's a bummer you have to "rig" it up to get by, but those parts are hard to find. Did you get the part number from the dealership for that universal joint of the rod shift?
Click to expand...


Yes I did, however every stealership cant get it. They said it is obsolete and can not be purchased anywhere... So for now I'm going to carry a few extra hose clamps until I decide what to do

  • :shrug:
 
EVERYONE KEEP AN EYE OUT IN THE JY FOR THE MAN. Wish I would have known today I was in one and there were a crap ton of pre 98 contours I think one was a stick too.
 
Dealerships can tell you all day long that parts aren't available. But there are a select few on this site that have fantastic resources that no dealership can match. Share the part numbers so we can all help eachother :cool:.
 
Might contact Terry Haines at HMS. I believe he once did a rebuild on the rod shift, or someone from FCO did anyway.
 
Terry did rebuild ButtonPunchers shift setup, but not the universal joint that is just outside the trans case. If you google 'rod shift contour' and click images you will see that even the taurus has the same setup and people sell rebuild kits for that joint.
 
Im going to create one, this is my plan, I will use the original brackets for it, remove the plastic and replace them with the same diameter in steel, I will weld them together where they were once joined from the factory, and drill holes through the centers and bolt them with washers to the original brackets... I will keep them the same size so the linkage wont need adjusted. I will also do the same for the opposite end, same joint. In fact I am considering making the brackets that hold the bushings, and making more of these and selling them on EBAY, or on these forums if anyone needs one. Thoughts?
 
I wouldn't plan on mass producing them, just no market for it.

Let us know what you come up with!
 
Transaxle, Manual-External Controls
The manual shift mechanism is made up of the following components:

gearshift lever knob (7213)
gearshift lever (7210)
transmission control selector housing (7220)
transmission gearshift rod and clevis (7B140)
stabilizer rod
gearshift lever boot (7277) assembly
The gearshift lever is connected to the transmission control selector housing and allows the driver to select a gear.

The transmission control selector housing transfers the gearshift lever movements to the transmission gearshift rod and clevis. The transmission gearshift rod and clevis is connected to the shift lever shaft (7C355).

A gearshift stabilizer bar is mounted to the transmission control selector housing and rubber mounted to a bracket at the RH transaxle support insulator.

The stabilizer rod equalizes powertrain movement with the transmission control selector housing and prevents the transaxle from being pulled out of gear by powertrain movement.

Rubber boots are provided for protection of the shafts and for sound insulation. Adjustment of the external linkage is not necessary.



2011-12-27_183932_shift.gif





Item Part Number Description
1 6468 Groove Pin
2 7213 Gearshift Lever Knob
3 7E096 Actuator
4 7277 Gearshift Lever Boot
5 7E198 Insulator
6 76037 Flat washer
7 7846 Seal
8 - Cup
9 W500015-S309 Bolt (3 Req'd)
10 W500104-S309 Bolt (2 Req'd)
11 7220 Transmission Control Selector Housing
12 7210 Gearshift Lever
13 7335 Gearshift Lever Socket Bushing
14 W701321S-300 Circlip
15 7C281 Bracket Assy
16 - Bracket (Part of 7C281)
17 7341 Insulator Lever
18 7A188 Bellcrank
19 W701273S-303 Bolt
20 7F111 Reverse and Fifth Relay Lever Pivot Pin
21 7222 Case Cover
22 7B226 Stop
23 7L288 Bushing
24 7288 Shifter Shaft Seal
25 7B140 Transmission Gearshift Rod and Clevis
26 7E350 Gear Change Rod
27 - Shift Rod (Part of 7B140)
28 W700245S-309 Bolt
29 W520001S-309 Nut
30 7L259 Transmission Gear Shift Stabilizer Bushing
31 7F110 Gear Shift Control Shaft Boot
32 - Bolt
33 7L288 Bushing
34 7L258 Gear Change Stabilizer Bar
35 7K183 Damper Assy


Gearshift Linkage


Raise vehicle on hoist. Refer to Section 00-02.

Loosen shift linkage clamp bolt and place transaxle in neutral.


2011-12-27_184137_shift1.gif




Lower vehicle.

Unsnap boot bezel from console and slide gearshift lever boot up gearshift lever.

Disconnect shift lever housing insulator from retainer and slide up gear shift lever.

Install Gear Lever Aligning Tool T94P-7025-FH onto gear shift lever and rotate top of tool clockwise.


2011-12-27_184326_shift2.gif




Raise vehicle.

Locate access hole in center of underbody heat shield. Install MTX Shifter Alignment Tool T96P-7B140-A through access hole and into shift lever housing.


2011-12-27_184348_shift3.gif




NOTE: It may be necessary to move shift linkage slightly to align MTX Shifter Alignment Pin T96P-7B140-A with internal shift lever.



Screw MTX Shifter Alignment Pin T96P-7B140-A into shift lever housing until hex portion of tool bottoms lightly on shift lever housing.



2011-12-27_184412_shift4.gif




Tighten shift linkage clamp bolt to 16 Nm (141 lb-in).

Remove MTX Shifter Alignment Pin T96P-7B140-A.

Lower vehicle.

Turn upper portion of Gear Aligning Tool T94P-7025-FH counterclockwise and remove tool.

Install shift lever housing insulator on housing retainer.

Install gearshift lever boot bezel into console.



It seems there are special tools for aligning the mechanism, but you may be able to correct your concern without them.
 
I wouldnt mass produce them, I would just make an extra set and if someone on this forum needs one, I can help em out.. however, that aligning tool could be very useful, I seen this on justananswer... was very helpful. Thank you!
 
It is my understanding that the bushings are not available. They did however, redesign the shift linkage cables, and a few of those are still around. Any dealer should be able to find one and tell you what dealer has one. Then you can go onto FordParts.com and order it from that dealer. I just did that for my CSVT late last year.
 
NCSUmoomba said:
It is my understanding that the bushings are not available. They did however, redesign the shift linkage cables, and a few of those are still around. Any dealer should be able to find one and tell you what dealer has one. Then you can go onto FordParts.com and order it from that dealer. I just did that for my CSVT late last year.
Click to expand...

We are discussing just the pre98 rod shift mech, not the post98 cable style or the changes to those. Entirely different setup.
 
NCSUmoomba said:
It is my understanding that the bushings are not available. They did however, redesign the shift linkage cables, and a few of those are still around. Any dealer should be able to find one and tell you what dealer has one. Then you can go onto FordParts.com and order it from that dealer. I just did that for my CSVT late last year.
Click to expand...

Life would be too easy if that were the case lol.. yeah.. unfortunately it is the pre 98...
 
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