Reverse Gear Lockout Issue After Installing Ford CF Shift Knob

[KYNotTheJelly]

Hey all - hoping you can help me out with my issue here.

Bought and installed the below linked Ford CF shift knob. However, the reverse gear lockout is not functioning properly. Specifically, the reverse lockout will not spring back into place after shifting out of reverse. i.e. I have to manually push down the lockout. Emailed Fairway Ford (where I bought the part) and their response was "never heard of such issue" (how helpful - def lost a customer).

In terms of install, followed the instructions from the CJ Pony Parts Youtube video; using the 5 turn hand tighten method while in reverse. Also, it does not seem to be an issue with the mechanism, as the lockout works fine after reinstalling the original shift knob. Thank you in advance for any guidance.

https://www.fairwayfordparts.net/oe...eektWsTce7wjYRJri9AzwX2WihuYH6iEaAnt0EALw_wcB

 

[flbchbm]

I may not be much help here but better than nothing?
Ensure that the lockout device is aligned properly and not twisted you know how there is a bend in the shift rod so you want to make sure it's not twisted to the left of the right.

I installed a boomba shift lever and the reverse lockout kept catching and I had to scrape away (bevel) some of the plastic at the bottom of the lockout mechanism. (The bottom hole. I know you only replaced a knob, but any related situations may hopefully help.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Jabbit]

There is a spring in between the knob and the lockout, did you install that back in? If so, perhaps it's binding?

 

[flbchbm]

Update, please?

 

[Fiestig]

Diddo on missing the spring. I did the same thing when I installed my knob first go. Of course a few beverages before hand probably didn't help

 

[KYNotTheJelly]

Alignment is ok and spring is still there. I switched back to the original knob and everything works fine, so doesn't seem to be an issue with mechanism itself.

 

[akiraproject24]

Hmmm. I wish I had some advice to add here. I put the same shift knob on. Cant remember how many turns it took but I know I got it VERY tight. Then had to tighten just a tad more to get the numbers centered up. Other than the spring there really isnt anything else mechanically happening at the base of the CF knob

 

[LiLfieSTa]

In terms of install, followed the instructions from the CJ Pony Parts Youtube video; using the 5 turn hand tighten method while in reverse. Also, it does not seem to be an issue with the mechanism, as the lockout works fine after reinstalling the original shift knob. Thank you in advance for any guidance.

This knob should work just fine, maybe the one you have is slightly different somehow.
I found that some knobs aside from our OEMs have the bottoms threaded deeper. So if you're using this method, as you tighten all the way down, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE, it will stick.

Here's what i did that fixed the lockout issue with other knobs i also tried:
- Don't go in reverse
- Lever in neutral - twist the knob on but do not tighten just yet
- With knob on, push the shifter left as if you were about to engage the reverse lockout
- As you keep the lever to the left, lift the lockout just enough (NOT COMPLETELY) so that the lever engages further into the gear at the start of the reverse gear, KEEP THE LOCKOUT IN THAT POSITION
- Use this as a marker and now with your other hand/feet, you can finish tightening your knob

Hope this helps

 

[KYNotTheJelly]

This knob should work just fine, maybe the one you have is slightly different somehow.
I found that some knobs aside from our OEMs have the bottoms threaded deeper. So if you're using this method, as you tighten all the way down, ESPECIALLY IN REVERSE, it will stick.

Here's what i did that fixed the lockout issue with other knobs i also tried:
- Don't go in reverse
- Lever in neutral - twist the knob on but do not tighten just yet
- With knob on, push the shifter left as if you were about to engage the reverse lockout
- As you keep the lever to the left, lift the lockout just enough (NOT COMPLETELY) so that the lever engages further into the gear at the start of the reverse gear, KEEP THE LOCKOUT IN THAT POSITION
- Use this as a marker and now with your other hand/feet, you can finish tightening your knob

Hope this helps

I tried this and same result. I did notice that the knob has a sticker along the inner part with a serial number and QR code (assuming for authenticity verification?). Wonder if this could be causing the sticking? Hesitant to remove though, in case I need to return it as a defective part.

 

[LiLfieSTa]

if that is the case, why would a sticker even go there =/
its definitely the knob

 

[ztrahan]

I have the same knob (from a different retailer), zero issues as you're describing. Do you feel resistance with the reverse lockout when it travels upward?

 

[KYNotTheJelly]

I have the same knob (from a different retailer), zero issues as you're describing. Do you feel resistance with the reverse lockout when it travels upward?

Yup. There is resistance, just doesn't pop back into place when shifted out.

 

[ztrahan]

Yup. There is resistance, just doesn't pop back into place when shifted out.

May be defective like you said, or the sticker is binding. For reference, mine has no resistance when lifting up.

 

[KYNotTheJelly]

May be defective like you said, or the sticker is binding. For reference, mine has no resistance when lifting up.

I should have clarified. There is resistance in the same way the original knob feels; just a little bit of the spring feel. Still under warranty, so I may take it in to have it checked out for any issues with the mechanism.

FYI - Fairway is claiming that it is an install issue because I didn't take it into a Ford dealer...not sure how to mess up screwing in a threaded knob (the instructions were basically just Ikea pictures), especially when reinstalling the original fixes the issue, but def lost a customer in me.

 

[SrsBsns]

You might want to get a nut and tighten it down while the shifter is in reverse and you've lifted the lockout ring. Then you can just screw on the new shift knob and you should be all set.

 

[LiLfieSTa]

I should have clarified. There is resistance in the same way the original knob feels; just a little bit of the spring feel. Still under warranty, so I may take it in to have it checked out for any issues with the mechanism.

FYI - Fairway is claiming that it is an install issue because I didn't take it into a Ford dealer...not sure how to mess up screwing in a threaded knob (the instructions were basically just Ikea pictures), especially when reinstalling the original fixes the issue, but def lost a customer in me.

Did you end up fixing the issue?

i had the same problem with a new knob i got the other week.
I left it for a day to think about a solution and was also going to temporarily fix a nut to it as well. I went back to it and it ended up being the spring that was included was too long and gapped, it was getting stuck on the lever thread from being too compressed and twisted. So my lockout got stuck
I ended up gently twisting the knob while poking the spring towards the middle to make sure it settled properly.

im thinking of going to a hardware store to look for a shorter and sturdier spring.

 

[KYNotTheJelly]

Did you end up fixing the issue?

i had the same problem with a new knob i got the other week.
I left it for a day to think about a solution and was also going to temporarily fix a nut to it as well. I went back to it and it ended up being the spring that was included was too long and gapped, it was getting stuck on the lever thread from being too compressed and twisted. So my lockout got stuck
I ended up gently twisting the knob while poking the spring towards the middle to make sure it settled properly.

im thinking of going to a hardware store to look for a shorter and sturdier spring.

No, I sent it back. I was using the stock spring since this was supposed to be OEM fitment and make use of the stock springs (as suggested in the included install pictorial).

Side note: Fairway Ford suggested that I take the spring out, contrary to the included install guide; while suggesting that it’s not functioning properly because of poor install. I just got fed up with dealing with them.