Questionok i had a key switch go out on a 1989 ford f 150 so i fix it but now the gear shifter wont come out of park and the rod wont go all the way down to strat the truck and all i did was change the switch out can u help
Answer
rack actuator
Hi Jason:
The part that broke is called an ignition rack actuator. It's a cast piece of metal that pushes the rod when you rotate the lock cylinder. I have enclosed a picture of what you want and my company does sell these. http://www.stolenandrecovered.com
Here are the instructions for replacing that piece, but it's a lot more involved than replacing the lock cylinder.
1) remove the horn pad
2) remove the steering wheel
3) remove the 3 screws for the turn signal switch
4) under the dash and column disconnect the turn signal wire connector
5) pull the turn signal switch up about 3 inches to give you room...you do not need to remove it
6) remove the 3 screws for the steering column outer housing
7) remove the lock cylinder (turn to on and depress the release pin under the lock
8) remove the housing
9) remove the snap ring from the center of the column shaft
10) remove the tile spring (it's hard to do so be VERY CAREFUL)
11) remove the two pivot pins on the side of the tilt housing
12) remove the tilt housing (catching the gear mechanism that drops)
13) part of the broken rack is still in the shift tube (on top)...with a right angle pick, slide the long piece up and remove it from the tube
14) remove the roll pin holding the rack actuator to the rod... DON'T LOSE THIS PIECE
15) reassemble
16) putting the lock cylinder back in sync is the hard part. You will need to remove the snap ring and bear from inside the housing and reset all of that to the correct timing or you will not have all the positions ACC, OFF, ON, START
I hope this helps you, rather than complicating things for you
Good luck
Doug
