I know there is a similar thread regarding an '88 F150 with a loose manual shift stick, but my issue might be slightly different. I also couldn't see the image attached by Steve83, as it only opened to a slightly larger than thumbnail size. I'd appreciate any input.

I have a 1993 F150 4.9L 5-speed 4X4. In early 2019, I purchased a bushing kit to remove the loose feeling shifting between gears. Problem solved, worked great. Clean, smooth movement and engagement. In March 2019, my slave cylinder took a dump, so I had the clutch and other items replaced. When I got the truck back, I noticed there was again free play in the shifter when in neutral and engaged in a gear. By movement in neutral I mean that I used to be able to move the shifter left and right with no real discernible feedback. The big issue now is that there is at least 1" play to either side when engaged in a gear. Before anyone mentions the bushing kit, I have already replaced that thinking the mechanic damaged it when performing the clutch repair. There was no difference with the old bushing kit, which had maybe 2,000 mi on it, vs the new one. I'm planning on going back to the mechanic to tell him my experience and expect a back and forth battle with perception vs. reality. However, I've been driving this truck for 117,00 mi so I'm a bit used to her, and I'd like to go in there with some ammunition. Could he have missed a bushing or not tightened something adequately in the shift linkage?

 

Well here is the answer I would have given if the guy with the 88F-150 had told me he had a 5 speed. I think it will answer your question.

When you go to remove a Mazda 5 speed there is a bolt with threads on both sides. You take the nut off one side and screw it on the threads on the other side. This will remove the double side threaded bolt. In turn letting you pull the shift lever free from the top of the transmission.

Obviously after you remove and reinstall the transmission, you have to reinsert the shift lever and reinstall said double side threaded bolt. If the bolt isn't properly installed the shift lever will rock. I suspect this is your problem. I suspect this because I had the same problem, twice actually. You access the bolt by removing the boot over the shift lever on your transmission. You might just want to take the truck back to the place that did your clutch work. Hope this is your somewhat simple problem. Kindly keep us posted.

 

If you had posted IN THAT THREAD, it would be easier to figure out why you're having trouble seeing the pic.

 

Fair enough, but THAT THREAD didn't expand upon his issue. I thought mine could be related to the clutch change and something deeper in the transmission. I also didn't want to hijack his thread. I was also able to view the image by clicking on the link under it. Clicking on the image only provided the thumbnail shot. Thanks.

 

Thank you, I saw that he hadn't responded. I honestly forgot about that bolt. I obviously had to remove it when I changed the bushing kit. I'll check it out and keep you updated.

 

That bolt can be real tricky to get installed correctly. Just look at the shift lever in relation to the part it fits onto, as you wiggle the shift lever to see if it fits tight. If the problem is there, you may have to remove the bolt and possibly file or grind a bit off the bolt and reinstall. Good luck with it.

 

I think your statement regarding filing or grinding the bolt is the issue. The shop may have put the shifter on in haste and damaged the bolt. I noticed that as soon as I took off the bolt.

I tightened the heck out of it during re-install (didn't file or grind anything today), and while it improved, there was still some movement. I certainly don't want to strip the threads and know I didn't encounter this issue the first time around, so I suspect a little bit of TLC on the bolt will solve my problem.

 

I cleaned up the bolt and any rough areas. There wasn't really anything that would prevent this wedge bolt from being drawn in all the way once tightened. I put a slight amount of synthetic grease on the flat portion, and there were no issues with re-install. I still have more stick movement than I had in the past and before installation, I noticed additional flat areas on the one side of the bolt. I don't think these were intentional, as their shape is irregular. I'm thinking the mechanic installed the bolt incorrectly and the area was flattened. I've looked for a new bolt to compare against and possibly purchase, but I think that's going to be a tough find. It looks like shift stick and bolt is discontinued, but the bolt might be used elsewhere. I'll keep checking junkyards in the meantime.

 

You are sure the stick shift is moving in the part it sits in? I actually bought a new bolt the last time I dealt with mine, 2007 the bolt was still available then thirty some dollars. There are some places that deal in obsolete parts if you have the Ford part number.

It seems like that bolt should tighten up though. Maybe there are some rough spots where the bolt fits through.

 

Hello again. A quick update of what's happened. I had my 5-speed shifter working flawlessly after I replaced the bushing kit. I needed a new clutch, and it was loose again after the repair. A different kind of loose, but loose nonetheless. I thought the mechanic messed up the bushings, so I installed another set. No change. I looked at the bolt and it looked beat up. My shift arm had never been removed until ~2018 and that was done to seal the top of the transmission. I look at the bolt, and it's beat. It doesn't look pristine as mine originally did. I smoothed out some rough areas and installed very tightly. No real change was evident, and I went way over the torque I needed previously. I took a step back and looked at the shifter arm again.

Don't laugh, but I know this isn't the shifter originally in my truck. I had previously oriented the **** to orient the line neutral position line such that it was parallel to the seats, and the diagram in this **** is skewed. The top is more beat and it looks like the original owner of it used the metal part to shift, as the backside is all worn from sweat and salt. So, what I'm saying is that a clown of a mechanic was presented with an opportunity to make his truck better at my expense, and he did just that. I doubt this shop has a stock of these shifters to confuse with mine. Either way, I don’t drive this truck too often and it took me a while to notice what happened. I went back to the shop owner, and he said the ol’ “Bring it in and we’ll take a look at it”. Nope, I know the issue and don't want to have a "are you sure discussion", as that will go nowhere fast. I also saw him later that week at a restaurant and after stating I look familiar, we discussed the truck briefly. He said something to the effect that “Is that your piece of junk out there,” so I knew where any further inquiry would go. So I wish nothing but ill will towards his shop and the scumbag mechanic that worked on my truck.

That aside, I installed a brand new OEM bolt, and there was no change. The shifter still has slop in it. So, there are only 2 things it can be from my line of thinking. One, the bottom of the shifter where it fits over the shaft is beat and out of round. Two, the slot the bolt rides in is beat. I appreciate any inputs, as it’s unlikely that I’ll find another OEM shifter.