Switched shift collar, broke neutral safety switch arm

[alpinefr3ak]

So I swapped out my shift collar and I'm assuming I somehow broke the arm that moves the neutral safety switch, I stole this pic from another thread to show what I am talking about.

My truck is a 1969 f100 and is automatic with column shifter.

Does that arm pop out or anything? I didn't see any metal pieces laying in the floorboard. The electronic lever that moves back and forth is still intact, it is the metal arm that sticks up out of the steering column that is missing.

Any way I can fix this?

[fmartin_gila1]

As I remember, that little actuating arm just snaps in to a couple of holes in the shifter tube. Is it possible that you dislodged it and it fell into the column tube or that it is just laying somewhere out of view? If it is still in position, then you may have to adjust the position of the safety switch. It should start in both the Park and neutral positions.

Fred

[alpinefr3ak]

Ok I went and looked at it better. Unfortunately it feels like the top half got broken off as there is a little nub of metal sticking up. See the notch on the one in the picture where it is level with the steering column? That part is still there. I felt a hole in the metal part of that attached to the column and it feels like it may have a screw but I couldn't see.

[fordman]

it just pops in and out of the hole it sits in.it is kind of a spring type of metal deal that is how it pops in and out of that hole for replacement. get another oine and it will just pop back in once you pop the old one out.

[alpinefr3ak]

Good to know, thanks for the info.

Any idea where I can find one? I didn't see one on LMC

[fordman]

i saw one on ebay once. i think dc has them.

[fmartin_gila1]

Last actuating arm I bought was from a Ford dealership in Phoenix quite a few years ago.

Fred

[alpinefr3ak]

Last actuating arm I bought was from a Ford dealership in Phoenix quite a few years ago.

Fred

oh hey I didn't even think about the dealership, they actually stock stuff for our 40+ year old trucks?

[alpinefr3ak]

Yeah I thought about taking it out and welding a new piece to it if I can't find the old piece. Thanks for the tips

How exactly do I get a screwdriver up in there? I tried to pull it with a pair of pliers but couldn't get a good grip. It seems too crowded for a screw driver

[fordman]

take the two bolts out on the upper part of the column where it botls to the dahs. the column shoul ddrop down some to get a better angle on it. if it wont drop down enough remove the part on the outside of the firewall and it will let the steering wheel rest on the seat to give you even more room.

[alpinefr3ak]

take the two bolts out on the upper part of the column where it botls to the dahs. the column shoul ddrop down some to get a better angle on it. if it wont drop down enough remove the part on the outside of the firewall and it will let the steering wheel rest on the seat to give you even more room.

Awesome! I did not know it would do that, thanks!

[alpinefr3ak]

Got me a new one from a ford truck parts guy and snapped it in yesterday! Working great thanks for all the help everyone