# Potential for trouble: Linkage in Ford automatic Transmission lever

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-for-trouble-linkage-in-ford-automatic-transmission-lever/427020>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 19, 2007, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-for-trouble-linkage-in-ford-automatic-transmission-lever/427020 "2007-11-19T07:41:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2007, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-for-trouble-linkage-in-ford-automatic-transmission-lever/427020/1 "2007-11-19T07:41:09Z")

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Last week I backed up, in my '84 T-Bird. Then when I tried to shift into a forward position the lever just moved freely. It turned out a nylon bushing had broken; and I got it replaced.  
Is this farily common on an old T-Bird like this? I’d hate to think there are scores of 1980s T-Birds on the streets waiting to wreak havoc…

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**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2007, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-for-trouble-linkage-in-ford-automatic-transmission-lever/427020/2 "2007-11-19T07:49:26Z")

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Happened on a friends '93 Ford dually going from Chicago to Phoenix :eek:

All FORD acronyms apply.

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**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2007, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-for-trouble-linkage-in-ford-automatic-transmission-lever/427020/3 "2007-11-19T15:13:11Z")

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My '85 E150 had a plastic bushing on a link from the throttle linkage to the automatic transmission. When it would start shifting as if full throttle acceleration were taking place when only moderate pedal pressure was being applied, I knew it was time to pull the dogbox and snap in a new one.

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**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-for-trouble-linkage-in-ford-automatic-transmission-lever/427020/4 "2007-11-20T07:52:34Z")

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[QUOTE=danceswithcats]  
My '85 E150 had a plastic bushing on a link from the throttle linkage to the automatic transmission. When it would start shifting as if full throttle acceleration were taking place when only moderate pedal pressure was being applied, I knew it was time to pull the dogbox and snap in a new one.  
[/QUOTE]

Where do you find that bushing in the linkage diagram in the Haynes manual?