# 2002 Ford Explorer gearshift lever

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-gearshift-lever/44451>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** explorer, ford\
**Created:** [February 14, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-gearshift-lever/44451 "2010-02-14T15:31:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dlkozak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@dlkozak](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlkozak)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-gearshift-lever/44451/1 "2010-02-14T15:31:02Z")

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ok, went to drive my exlporer this morning proceeded to and put in drive then the lever just drooped! Am stuck btwn park & drive. put on the emergency brake. Has this happpend to anyone? I’ve ALWAYS since day 1 had difficulty putting this care in drive. I’m guessing I’ll need to be towed since I can’t move it!

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-gearshift-lever/44451/2 "2010-02-14T15:43:50Z")

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If you have to ask then, yes, you probably need to have it towed. But the droopy lever indicates the likelihood of a relatively simple linkage issue (relative to an inside the transmission issue). Something between your lever and the transmission has been probably binding (as you mentioned its always been difficult) and has now just given out.

But as I say, if you need to ask I don’t suspect that you’re going to dig into it yourself.

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**Author:** ![dlkozak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@dlkozak](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlkozak)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-gearshift-lever/44451/3 "2010-02-14T15:56:49Z")

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THANK YOU

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**Author:** ![dlkozak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@dlkozak](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlkozak)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-gearshift-lever/44451/4 "2010-02-16T16:19:57Z")

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Hi again,

car had to be towed and shop is telling me steering column needs to be replaced.  
used $400 labor $300 sound accurate? Or is it too much work to replace gearshif lever?  
And how can I tell if I’m not getting ripped off? oh, and new $1400

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**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-gearshift-lever/44451/5 "2010-02-16T16:26:53Z")

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I assume shop is independent ? A quick trip to a Ford dealer for a quote would tell you a lot.  
That goodness it didn’t break on a late model Toyota while trying to shift into neutral.

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**Author:** ![dlkozak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@dlkozak](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlkozak)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-explorer-gearshift-lever/44451/6 "2010-02-16T16:46:57Z")

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Thanks. I already have asked Ford for a price.