Mustang Automatic Shifter Rebuild Kit (1965-1993) Installation Instructions
This Automatic Shifter Rebuild Kit will fit all 1965-1993 Mustangs.
Has the automatic shifter in your 1965-1993 Mustang lost some of the precision when you change gears, leaving you unsure of what gear you're actually in? That's because the bushings easily wear out, which gives that mushy feel. Fix that problem with this Automatic Shifter Rebuild Kit for 1965-1993 Mustangs.
Tools Required:
- 1/4-inch Ratchet
- 7/16-inch & 9/16-inch Sockets
- 3-inch Extension
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Flat Head Screw Driver
- Phillips Head Screw Driver
- T-10 Torx Bit
Install Difficulty:
- Moderate Project
1. To begin your installation of your Mustang automatic shifter rebuild kit, remove the set screw on the back of your shifter handle. Mine was a T-10 torx, yours may be different. It doesn’t need to come out all the way, just enough to get the handle off.
2. Now remove the four Phillips screws from the Mustang shifter bezel. Then remove the bezel.
3. Remove the screws from the Mustang automatic shifter cover retaining plate. There should be four, but on mine there were only two. Remove the plate.
4. Remove the four nuts holding the shift bucket to the transmission tunnel and unplug the wires to the shifter light. Lift the shift bucket out.
5. Now remove the cotter pin connecting the Mustang automatic shifter linkage rod to the transmission linkage. Slide the washers off and the linkage should fall down. Mine fell where I could still reach it from within the car, if yours doesn’t you will have to go under the car to reconnect it. You can now remove the bucket from the car.
6. With the bucket out of the car gently pry the rubber cover off the bottom of the bucket to expose the 9/16-inch nut. Remove it. It may be on tight, but it will come off.
7. To separate the Mustang automatic shifter lever and linkage rod, gently wiggle both while pulling them apart. You may want to give the lower arm stud a few good whacks with the back of a screw driver or ratchet. Once they are apart, remove both arms from the bucket.
8. Clean the bucket as necessary. In the opening where the arms connected there may be the remains of the original bushings, but more than likely there will nothing.
9. Your Mustang transmission hardware kit includes two bushings. One goes on the outside of the bucket, the other goes inside.
10. If you need to change the Mustang shift light bulb, squeeze the band around the housing and pull it out. Then simply pull the housing off the bulb. Replace if necessary.
11. Reassembly is the exact opposite of disassembly. Position the shift arm in park (all the way forward). When reattaching the shifter to the transmission linkage, pull the linkage all the way back (this will insure the transmission is also in park). Once everything has been reassembled, with your foot on the brake, shift the transmission through its full range. (There are six positions: Park, Neutral, Reverse, Drive 1 and 2, and Low). If it goes into all of them you’re done. If not, you need to readjust the position where the sifter connects to the transmission linkage. After everything works, you're done with the installation of your Mustang automatic shifter rebuild kit.
