Steering column shaft removal
 

Bought a 96 ranger xlt, 4x4 auto, 120k miles yesterday for my son. His first vehicle. The seller pointed out when shifting it does not indicate the correct position and have found threads describing how to adust that. The other problem is the shifter floats from R to 2. It does not lock into each position. I can find each gear and does drive nice. I have the column covers off and I am at the point of removing the entire column. What I can't figure out is where to make the seperation from column to the shaft going thru the fire wall. There is a swival joint and a connection with what looks like to 2 pins. If it is the swival joint how does it come apart? This is the first time my son has worked with me on a vehicle and things are going good until now.
Thanks in advance.:biggthump

you really should not need to remove the steering wheel at all.


its all under the dash

I can't see the top of the column where there appears to be a finger that drops into grooves that keeps it locked in each position. I am trying to eliminate all the movement in the shifter.

thanks

I found the post from Hardwareman and saw where he disconnected the shaft in the engine compartment. Got it out and in and out and in and out and in again. Don't know exactly what I did but it hits every shift now. Except when in park it won't stay put it roles. Suppose it's a switch somewhere.