2002 Gear shift lever / stearing colum

[blockisle9]

The other night while taking my Explorer out of park and puting it into drive, the shift lever came right off the stearing colum. The only thing holding it was the wire for the overdrive. When I pulled the plastic cover off the colum I found the small piece of cast aluminum that the pin goes through (The size of a silver dollar) that attaces the lever to the colum broke in half. Well I went to ford to have them order the part and and I was SHOCKED to learn that the part is not sold sepertly and I would have to purchase the whole stearing colum for about $700,00 :fire: plus labor. I have 46k on the vehical so no warinty.
This truck has been nothing but troube! 3 tranys amoung other things. This is my third Exporer and before them three other Ford products.
Can any one ofer me any options? Maybe someone to contact at Ford.
Thank you very very much and im sorry for the long post.

 

[mctoy]

Only viable option is the good ol' junkyard I'd say. Especially if you have a 'pull it yourself' place around. They couldnt want much for just the forged piece I would imagine, (10-20?) whereas they probably would want $100 or more for the whole thing. Good Luck!