Shift linkage lever

[ponyexpress]

Hi guys, does anyone have any advise on how to reassemble the shift linkage lever back into the bottom of the steering column. I am having trouble compressing the spring so I can insert the linkage into the slot in the column. I had it together once but I believe the spring was on the wrong side of lever and the piece that goes into the slot of the linkage was not engaged to stop the lever from rotating. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks. Pete

[sargentrs]

OH! That part is so much fun. Takes 3 arms and a stong gorilla. Here's how I held mine in place http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 4&start=15 (about half way down the page) while trying to install the tube flange back on it. You pretty much have to hold the shift tube down and compress the spring with the tab through the slot while you put the tube flange on and get the nuts started on the bolts that hold it all in place.

[ponyexpress]

When you have the steering column vertical is the spring supposed to be above the shift linkage or below the linkage? Thanks

[sargentrs]

The spring is above the levers. That's why it's so hard to stab it all together. Put the spring on the shift tube and slide the shift tube into the housing. Slide the lever into the slot on the housing. Push the shift tube in till it rests against the lever. Apply slight pressure on the shift tube, compressing the spring, until the tip of the shift tube engages into the hole in the lever. Push the shift tube further down until the end of the tube touches the bottom collar inside the end of the housing. Stick your finger into the end of the housing and into the end of the shift tube to assist with lining up the tube into the bottom housing. Push the tube the rest of the way in and hold everything together. Now put the shift collar onto the top of the shift tube and slide it down over the column housing. Now you have to hold all of that together while you install the tube flange on the shift collar. That's when the fun really begins! Keep in mind, at some point you will have to thread the turn signal harness through the tube flange, between the shift collar and housing, and through the top slot in the housing behind the shift collar. Don't ask me why I threw that comment in.

[ponyexpress]

Thanks Sarge !