The shifter in the Mustang GT is attached to the top of the transmission through an access hole in the transmission tunnel. A steel ball on the end of the shifter engages the shift rods inside the transmission and moves the shift rods through the gears as the driver changes them. Replacement of the shifter can be accomplished in less than an hour by an experienced home mechanic with basic hand tools.
Place wheel chocks around the rear wheels and wedge them against the tires by kick them against the tire with your heal. This will prevent the vehicle from rolling while replacing the Mustang GT's shifter. Shift the transmission into neutral.
Remove the shifter knob by twisting it counter clock-wise until it unscrews from the shifter. Pry the trim panel around the shifter up, using a small screwdriver, until it unsnaps from the center console. Slide the trim panel and shifter boot up and off the shifter. Pull the insulation padding out of the area located under the trim panel and shifter boot to expose the bolts that attach the shifter to the transmission.
Remove the four 10mm bolts that attach the shifter to the transmission using a 10-mm socket, extension bar, and ratchet. Grasp the shifter lever with your hand and lift the shifter up and out of the console Place a shop towel under the shifter to prevent gear oil from dripping onto the interior of the Mustang.
Clean any old gasket material from the top of the transmission. Apply a dab of lithium grease on the small, round end of the shifter that fits into the transmission. Place the new gasket, supplied with the new shifter, onto the top of the transmission and slip the shifter into the top of the transmission. Make sure the the round end of the shifter sits in the recess (a round hole) on the transmission's internal shift linkage.
Align the bolt holes on the shifter with the bolt holes on the transmission and install the 10mm retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts to 23 to 32 ft-lbs using a torque wrench. If you are installing an aftermarket shifter, adjust the throw length of the shifter according to the instructions supplied with the shifter.
Reinstall the insulation padding, the shifter boot and trim panel. Snap the trim panel into the center console. Screw the shifter knob onto the new shifter. Tighten the shifter until it is snug and then tighten it an additional 180 degrees and line up the graphics on the top of the knob.
