C4 Park Position Slip

Discussion in 'Transmissions' started by stex97, Jun 29, 2014.

  1. stex97

    stex97 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2005
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    1977 Maverick
    I've read occasionally about an issue with the C4 transmission Park gear liking to 'slip' easily out of position and go into reverse. Mine started doing that.

    A few months back I came across a post in the archive talking about how to remedy it by replacing something in the transmission but, go figure, can't locate it now.

    Anyone have info about how to do this/what to get/know the thread?

    Much appreciated!
     
    stex97, Jun 29, 2014
    #1
  2. yellow75

    yellow75 MCCI Oregon State Rep Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2004
    Messages:
    4,777
    Likes Received:
    1,160
    Trophy Points:
    587
    Garage:
    2
    Location:
    Tillamook Oregon
    Vehicle:
    72 Maverick 1976 Maverick Stallion 2007 Shelby GT 500 2019 Ford F150 FX4 2023 Bronco
    It may just be an adjustment issue or it could be the parking pawl in the transmission is worn, if you do a search under parking pawl you may find your answer
     
    yellow75, Jun 29, 2014
    #2
  3. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    18,299
    Likes Received:
    1,362
    Trophy Points:
    878
    Location:
    Albany, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    1972 Maverick Grabber - Color: Orange Also, 1976 Ford Maverick 4-door, 1977 Mercury Comet 2-door.
    Could also be worn bushings on the shifter arms. Check those as well.
     
    Craig Selvey, Jun 29, 2014
    #3
  4. stex97

    stex97 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2005
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    1977 Maverick
    Thanks for the input.
    I took the linkage off and tested the column shift and it's mechanisms seem to be working fine. The lever on the transmission is easy to 'flick' down from park to reverse; for example, a no-effort push with the index finger will put the lever into reverse position but then I have to use both fingers to get the lever to move into any more gear positions. I don't know if it's supposed to be like that. Is it? I could see where that makes sense if the column is holding it in 'lock' position.
     
    stex97, Jun 30, 2014
    #4
  5. yellow75

    yellow75 MCCI Oregon State Rep Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2004
    Messages:
    4,777
    Likes Received:
    1,160
    Trophy Points:
    587
    Garage:
    2
    Location:
    Tillamook Oregon
    Vehicle:
    72 Maverick 1976 Maverick Stallion 2007 Shelby GT 500 2019 Ford F150 FX4 2023 Bronco
    Did you try moving the shifter arm on the transmission with linkage from column unhooked, if you did and this was the results then it sounds like the parking pawl in the transmission is bad you should have to use a good amount of effort to get it out of park. Time to drop the pan and have a look
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2014
    yellow75, Jun 30, 2014
    #5
  6. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,709
    Likes Received:
    2,429
    Trophy Points:
    531
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chesapeake VA
    Vehicle:
    1972 Comet GT clone 306 . 1969 Fairlane Cobra 428CJ 1988 T-Bird awaiting 331 ..
    There is a assist spring on the linkage inside the trans that's always trying to push the trans out of park... Misadjustment, loose bushings, coupled with engine vibration will flip trans into reverse and car backs into something all by it's self... Also possible to go round & around in a circle... Years ago on 60 Minutes, there was a video clip of a MK-III Lincoln doing just that...

    Yes Lincolns used C6 trans, all Ford auto trans from the '60s, through the '70s have the trait built in...
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2014
    Krazy Comet, Jun 30, 2014
    #6
  7. stex97

    stex97 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2005
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    1977 Maverick
    Thanks! I'll put the pan removal on my list of things to do and see what's going on. I didn't leave the linkage on the transmission when i tried my switch test, it was removed.

    I remember seeing a video awhile back of a Lincoln, I think, that was in a parking lot going in circles in reverse and a guy in the center timing it to jump in and stop it. He did.
     
    stex97, Jun 30, 2014
    #7

Share This Page