When the cable end bushing wore out on mine I learned a lot about the cables and cable ends. I'll try to summerize.
For the cable shift Contiques there are two cable styles. They are interchangable as an entire assembly, but pieces between them are not interchangable. The first style is the 98 style, both E0 and E1. The cables are a bit larger and more robust. The other one is the 99 and newer. The cable ends between the two styles will not interchange. The later style is the only cable assembly now available through Ford.
The Focus uses a different cable end because the Focus shift tower uses different "pins" or "shafts" for the cable end to engage. The Contique style "pin" is straight while the Focus style has a ball end.
If you choose to use a Focus shift tower you must either use the Focus cable ends, or change the "pins" to the Contique style. The Focus cable ends will fit the 98 Contique cable, but will not fit the 99 and newer cable.
I hope this may clear up a few things.
And by the way, the Focus cable assembly is not the answer. It is too short.
