Owners of 2009-12 Ford Expeditions and F-150s and Lincoln Navigator models may come into your store with a complaint that their gear selector is very difficult to move when the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
Ford attributes the shift troubles to snow and/or ice building up around the transmission shift control cable and lever. Installing a snow shield from a special service kit should eliminate the shifting difficulties.
Order part No. AL3Z-7B147-B for 2WD trucks; or part No. AL3Z-7B147-A for 4WD vehicles. Installation instructions are included with both kits.
"Factory Fixes" is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. Mr. DePalma advises that techs always check with a dealer or repair information system for the latest revisions before starting to work on a vehicle. He can be reached via email at [email protected].