Floor shifter is loose Hard getting into proper gear. How can I tighten it.

It sounds like there may be an issue with the gear shifter mechanism in your 2000 Ford Focus. The loose shifter and bad odor could indicate that something has broken or worn out inside the mechanism, and it might not be fully disengaging the gears. The fact that it still shifts into reverse suggests that the problem is not with the transmission itself but with the gear shifter assembly.
To fix the issue, the gear shifter mechanism will likely need to be disassembled and inspected for wear or damage. Any broken or worn parts will need to be replaced. It could be caused by the bushings or the gear shift cable that connects the gear shift lever to the transmission. These parts could be dried out, loose or broke. It is also possible that the linkage inside the gear shifter assembly is corroded, or there's internal issue with the shifter mechanism.
Given that it is a manual transmission , it is important that the vehicle is properly repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the transmission or other components. It is best to take it to a professional mechanic to have it inspected and repaired.

Hi, you do not indicate what vehicle this is and the only thing that i can suggest is if it is a Ford the holding plate is loose on the top end of the gear shifter, move the carpet near the gear shifter and this will give access to this area, tighten any loose screws or nuts on the end of the gear shifter. If the vehicle is a VW then you will have to go under the car and tighten the holding nut at the end of the gear shifter. All the best.

it does sound like a loose transmission shifter

the shift linkage is directly below your auto transmission shifter. simply place in park, undo the bolt joining the shifter to the transmission, push on the transmission shifter at the other end so it clicks fully into park and tighten the bolt up hard. then check for normal operation.

just remember chances are when your pushing down on the shifter to drive that the direction your pushing at the transmission is reversed so park should be towards the rear of the vehicle and drive is towards the front. but may not always be the case. best bet is to get a mate to move the shifter up and down untill you see exactly what is going on, then adjust your linkage to suit.

try pushing the knob down onto the shifter a little bit then try and shift. Sometimes if that knob is raised even a little bit it will be locked in park. Can't be 100% sure without seein it but worth a shot. Hope that helps you.

check the bolts on the linkage going from the column to the transmission. probably just need tightening. (generally the bolt ON the transmission shift plate that connects into the transmission shaft is loose) Probably takes a 10 mm socket

Get some lock tite glue and apply to the threads on shifter and screw knob on and let dry.

You are right about the shift pattern. Reverse is hard left and up.If your gears are locked up, you'll probably have to remove the side cover and reset the shift levers to their neutral position and then slide gears around to put it back on. With it back on the shift levers should point up toward the car floor. 3-4 is the shift lever closest to the engine. 1-2 is the middle one and reverse is the one closest to the back of the tranny. Check all your swivel points for looseness. If there is any play then you'll have to bush it out or you'll have trouble getting it to shift into gear and stay in. I used some old copper pipe to make bushings on mine, because it used to jump out of gear.
To properly attach your shift linkage, put the shifter and the trans mounted shift levers in neutral. Loosen the locking clamps so the shift rods slide freely. start with the reverse lever, which is the inner most rod on the shifter and tighten the rod nut against the swivel. Then tighten the lock nut. Do the same with the 1-2 rod on the middle rod on the shifter and then the 3-4 which is the outside rod . This should set you up, according to Chilton.
They note that if the tranny is 68 Camero Muncie the shift rods need to be shortened 3 complete turns of the lock nut.
Hope some of this helps.

Hi,
You have the same problem as a previous guy, its the ball and socket at the end of the gearstick, its worn out, or just popping out of it's socket so the bolts holding it down or the large nut the is holding the gearstick in needs tightening. So best to remove it, check for wear and if it is ok then use a loctite glue to refit the main nut over the gear lever.
Hope this helps, let me know how you get on.

Jason

There is a bracket with two torx screws that gets loose. You need to tighten that. You will need to remove the plastic and metal shield under the dash, above the brake pedal to see the bracket. Look up above the brake pedal and wiggle the the shift lever and you will see what needs tightened. Worked for me.