1997 Mercury Marquis play in shift knob

1997 MERCURY MARQUIS
41,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MARVINJ276
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It's gradually loosened up the past 2 weeks. Yesterday a brass bolt was found laying in the front floorboard. Now it will not go into park, it stays in reverse no matter how hard one pushes it into reverse. Worse it's getting harder to start, it wants to go from reverse to drive with just a very little gap between for neutral when it will start. I'd thought shift linkage at the trans but since the bolt fell out in the floorboard I'm thinking it's in the steering column. I have all coverings removed but don't see any missing bolts nor anyway to thghten this up. Help please
Jun 16, 2010 at 11:39 PM
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DOCFIXIT
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Hi
The brass bolt does it have threads? is top hex head or round? Look on top of shift lever where it attaches to rod is pin in place?
Let me know
Thanks for donate
Jun 18, 2010 at 12:20 PM
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MARVINJ276
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I actually just dropped the steering colomn down and found where 2 plates came together and one of the bolts was missing. I call them start head bolts so not sure if that is hex head to experts. Anyway I got it fixed, it took a while to get the shift indicator on the dash re adjusted but it went well. Thanks but by the time you'd answered I'd repaired it. Maybe you can owe me a free question one day. Thanks.

No this seemed to be several inches from the shift lever, much nearer the firewall. It is fine now thanks
Jun 18, 2010 at 1:50 PM
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DOCFIXIT
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That is the mounting bracket for steering shaft weird hoe that effected the shifter but real glad to hear you got it repaired. Yes you can have a free one just post and pm me and I'll answer
Jun 18, 2010 at 2:58 PM