Anybody familiar with a Ford/Mazda M50D 5-speed?

[BigPapa]

My daughters ’04 Ranger 3.0L RWD has a M50D 5-speed. I’ve evidently broken something in the shifter. I was backing it up and couldn’t get it in reverse, so I pushed it quick and hard to get through the “gate”. Now, if you turn the shift knob, the shifter swings in an arc right to left. If you don’t turn it, first through fourth work normally, but 5th and reverse are WAY over to the right and hard to line up to get into gear.

What have I broken and am I going to have to pull the transmission?

 

[BigPapa]

Well, I got it fixed. Evidently, when I had her shifter off last, I didn't get the shifter, stub shaft, and the retaining bolt lined up properly. The taper on the bolt wasn't in the groove of the stub, just kind of sitting on top of it. So, when I smacked it, it popped the shifter up where the taper was in the groove, but not tight enough to hold it, allowing the shifter to pivot to the right on the stub. Another lesson learned the hard way.

 

[petersonj]

Another lesson learned the hard way.

But, you will remember the lesson longer. It is amazing how many times we are our own enemy.

- John