2003 Mazda B3000
3.0 V6
277,000 miles

I had some trouble with my shift tube being loose and truck not shifting into Park at times, but I could manage the situation by starting in Neutral and using the parking brake a lot.

I dug into the steering column. The two hex bolts on the back of the linkage arm were tight. I noticed the two bushings on the shifter tube were worn away so I replaced those and shifting is a lot tighter. However, now it will not shift into Park at all.

Also, R, N, and D all kinda float along the shifter Indicator. If I put it into Drive, then shift over once to Neutral, then again to Reverse, then back to the right to Neutral, that last shift goes back into Drive. Another shift to the right is still in Drive.

I have adjusted the red gear Indicator using the black dial under the steering column to no avail.

Apparently there are other adjustments that can be done at the transmission, but I can't find instructions on that.
Those instructions, or any other advice, would be much appreciated.

 

Check the shift cable in the engine bay where it exits firewall and then bends back towards transmission

If the sheath on the cable splits then you can't get full range shifting from park to 1st

 

Neutral Safety Switch / Range Sensor can also bind up the shifting if it's bad. Easy to test though, just disconnect the cable at the transmission end.