Shift lever hard to get out of park

[bluegrasser]

I am having an intermitant problem with getting the shift lever out of park when I am ready to go. So far I have been able to get it out of park by pressing abnormally hard on the brake pedal and then moving the lever but I am concerned that one of these times that is not going to work & I will be stuck in park. Most times it's just foot on the brake, pull the lever up & select the gear & go. I'm on a 2004 F-53, with the 22,000lb chassis. Has anyone else had this problem and any suggestions where to start looking?

[ga traveler]

If this is happening on an incline, It is prbably the pawl in the transmission pressing hard against the flywheel gear. If you are parking on a hill, Always set the parking brake first.

[bluegrasser]

GA Traveller: Good point, however the problem was occuring on flat ground. I spent a long time this morning removing all the shrouds around the steering column and trying to figure out what moves & turns. When I was able to move the lever, it was a bit "notchy" and sometines it would stick in park. I liberally sprayed everything that moves with a silicone spray and lo and behold its as smooth as butter with no hanging up in park. I also sprayed the cable linkage at the transmission end with a grease spray as well, it looked a bit dry and rusty. I don't know if this is a cure, or temporary fix, but we will find out. Thanks for your help.

[ga traveler]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegrasser GA Traveller: Good point, however the problem was occuring on flat ground. I spent a long time this morning removing all the shrouds around the steering column and trying to figure out what moves & turns. When I was able to move the lever, it was a bit "notchy" and sometines it would stick in park. I liberally sprayed everything that moves with a silicone spray and lo and behold its as smooth as butter with no hanging up in park. I also sprayed the cable linkage at the transmission end with a grease spray as well, it looked a bit dry and rusty. I don't know if this is a cure, or temporary fix, but we will find out. Thanks for your help.

Great post! This is the way the forum should work. You stated the problem and then posted the fix. Although you fixed it your own self, We all learned the answer.