Ford F150 - Column shifter loose

Can anyone tell me how I might remedy the loose shifter on my '97 f150 steering column (automatic transmission shifter). It shifts fine into all gears but within that gear it has a lot of "play" or "slack" in the gear fitting. I heard somewhere it might be a loose bushing inside the column. How can I repair this? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Tilt the column down, remove the shrouds, & examine the straps that retain the shifter on the column. #s 26 & 27 in the diagram; dark blue pointers in the photo.

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If they're tight, crawl under the dash with a flashlight & check the cable brackets. #s 33 & 34 in the diagram; orange pointers in the photo.

in the picture that steve83 has above look at the shift cable arm(orange hand)the two bolts that hold this arm on tend to loosen up quite often causing what you are describing they are like a torx t30 or t35?? in the parts blowup that steve83 provides the numbe for these bolts are #34 hope this helps

rtjohnson1964

i suggest taking them out and putting some loctite on them as well to prevent them from loosening in the near future again