Fixing that stupid column shifter bracket

[elfarmcrew]

Shifting into reverse to come out of a parking spot, I heard a "pop" and the column shifter flops around like a fish. Luckily, I was able to shift into drive and get home. In the driveway, I pull the boot to have a look at the innards and sure enough, the shifter bracket is broken. Looking at this bracket, I'm thinking what brilliant engineer designed this? A cheap cast aluminum part that's supposed to clamp around a hollow shifter rod and subject to being yanked on 50+ times per day. That'll hold up, right?



My first thought was to just buy a new bracket. They're less than $100, but it was Sunday and I was about to head out on a trip. Besides, what makes me think that the newer brackets are any better than the one that broke? So, here's my fix. I started off with some scrap steel, probably 3/16" thick or so. I drilled a hole at one end for the clamping bolt, then gently massaged it (read merciless beating with a ball peen hammer) to wrap around the broken piece.



I then drilled and tapped 4 holes near the free end of the strap into what looked like the meatiest part of the bracket. Basically, the broken piece is now a spacer for the shifter and the steel strap is the actual clamp.
A shot of silver paint and reinstall and now the shifter feels better than ever. Hopefully I'll never have to worry about this part ever again

 

[Gr8bawana]

Nice work
I don't think that's gonna break again any time soon.

 

[Rizkit4DBizkit]

Would cleaning up the cracked surface and filling it with some epoxy would be beneficial or overkill? The only advantage I see would be helping with slop/movement, but the fix will likely hold without the epoxy. My biggest problem is overkill and over-engineering everything.

 

[MaximusAurelius]

That will never fail again, is now designed better than original.

 

[OutlawTrucker]

I fixed mine my swapping to this... all parts from a 1500. Works perfect on my 68RFE

 

[OutlawTrucker]

Shifting into reverse to come out of a parking spot, I heard a "pop" and the column shifter flops around like a fish. Luckily, I was able to shift into drive and get home. In the driveway, I pull the boot to have a look at the innards and sure enough, the shifter bracket is broken. Looking at this bracket, I'm thinking what brilliant engineer designed this? A cheap cast aluminum part that's supposed to clamp around a hollow shifter rod and subject to being yanked on 50+ times per day. That'll hold up, right?

View attachment 523339

My first thought was to just buy a new bracket. They're less than $100, but it was Sunday and I was about to head out on a trip. Besides, what makes me think that the newer brackets are any better than the one that broke? So, here's my fix. I started off with some scrap steel, probably 3/16" thick or so. I drilled a hole at one end for the clamping bolt, then gently massaged it (read merciless beating with a ball peen hammer) to wrap around the broken piece.

View attachment 523340
View attachment 523341
I then drilled and tapped 4 holes near the free end of the strap into what looked like the meatiest part of the bracket. Basically, the broken piece is now a spacer for the shifter and the steel strap is the actual clamp.
View attachment 523342A shot of silver paint and reinstall and now the shifter feels better than ever. Hopefully I'll never have to worry about this part ever again
View attachment 523343

Maybe you should patent & sell them