Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Shift Cable Linkage Bushing

While installing new struts/springs/brakes on my wife's 98SE Duratec MTX yesterday, I noticed that the bushing which attaches one of the shift cables to the MTX75 was just about to fall off (see red circle in picture):



Does anyone know if I can purchase just this bushing from Ford (i.e. without purchasing the entire shift cable assembly)?

Also, are those "orange spring clips" supposed to be popping up like that?

My 96SE has a rod shift so I can't compare the linkages side-by-side.

Does anyone have a picture of what this bushing is supposed to look like? I may be able to rig something up that'll last longer than Ford's design...

Thanks!

i have that same problem but the dealer messed mine up when they pulle dmy tranny and put a zip tie in its place. i didnt notice it till like a year later though so they didnt want to do anything about it. you can use a zip tie to temporarily hold it in place. the zip tie the dealer put in ha sbeen on for like 2 years. i just havent had the cash to buy the shift cable assembly. i think i migth just get a custom bronze bushing made or look for a 5 speed contour mystique or cougar in a junk yard. or maybe oen from another ford would work? my shifter has a lot of play back and forth and its annoying sometimes i miss shifts cause of it.

Zip Tie... hmmm. That's actually a great idea for a temporary fix!

I've already fashioned a new bushing from a piece of rubber I found in my toolbox. I think I'll put a metal washer on top of the rubber bushing, then attach a Zip Tie around metal post to hold it all in place.

Thanks for the idea cvkillacontour98!

Here's a picture of my fix:


The fix consists of:
-1 piece of rubber cut to act as a bushing (not visible in pic)
-1 large washer to hold the bushing in place
-1 Zip Tie to hold the washer in place

A quick test drive confirmed normal shift operation.

Interesting fix. If you want to fix it right it'll run you less than $10; I just had the same problem, here is the thread.

the zip tie in my contour has held since may off 2003 when the dealer put it on. it never has fallen off or budged due to heat. so i have plenty of faith in the zip tie. so what kind of rubber did you use, and what size washers. i realy want to fix mine up.

I think the Zip Tie will hold for awhile, as the 'stress' on the component is horizontally left-to-right (i.e. no direct pressure on the Zip Tie). This is on my wife's Contour -- she doesn't shift hard or quickly.

Next time I'm at a Home Improvement store I'll look through their nuts & bolts department to find a suitable-sized locking E-Clip to replace the Zip Tie. From looking at the pictures in the other thread, I was surprised that the stock part didn't have a locking E-Clip on it. I won't bother ordering a replacement cable end if it doesn't include a locking E-clip.

The bushing I fabricated was originally intended as a bump-stop for a strut on my wife's former Buick. It already had a center hole in it -- I just trimmed the exterior down until it fit snugly in the white plastic cable end. The washer is about an Inch in diameter. I selected a Zip Tie that fit nicely in the groove on the metal post. Heat exposure in that part of the engine compartment is limited, so the Zip Tie should easily last until I throw an E-clip in there.

the zip ties are a lot stronger than people give them credit for. but i sure would like some more. liek what size is the center hold for the washer. i would realy liek to knwo what rubber piece did you use to fill it in. and how is the play on it. the back and forth play on my knob is real noticable.

The lengths some of you people will go to "fix" your car, and for what? The part to fix it right is ~$8. It lasted for SIX YEARS but somehow that is long enough? And you expect the zip tie/e-clip to last longer? To save $8??? Your wife's safety is worth $8?

Some of you shadetrees just need to suck it up and realize that sometime it really is OK to visit the parts department.