2003 Ford Focus Shift Tower Pin Replacement !

[@charlotteok]

Hi. Just wanted to give a big shout out and THANK YOU for this video. It helped me fix my 2007 Focus. My son and I are trying to be KZbin mechanics and we depend on videos like yours. Our car drives like a dream now. Thanks so so very much!!!!

[@ChargerMiles007]

Hey, thanks so much for leaving a comment to let me know my efforts have helped someone out. Sometimes I think I am kind of just talking to myself making a vid like this. I actually watched this vid last summer, as I was changing the clutch, and decided that it seemed like a good idea to replace the shifter pin while I had the trans out. so I watched this vid, to refresh my memory, and it went smooth as silk. Thanks for taking the time to let me know that it worked out for you also. The one thing I don't do anymore is FORCE the gear shifter when it doesn't want to go into a gear, I go back to neutral and try again, possibly pushing the clutch further down. I do this because it was a harsh 3rd gear downshift when the pin in mine broke the first time. Take care.

[@1944johndeerel]

My father has had 2 of those focus's both were bought new with the 5speed manual and driven well over 100k miles each. The last one is still going with something like 200k miles on it never had a clutch or anything major done to both of those cars. Usually they are fantastic little cars.

[@ChargerMiles007]

I got both of mine with high mileage, so I guess I should expect some problems. Maybe I throw too hard of shifts!

[@sixxgunz3774]

@@ChargerMiles007 I picked mine up at 192k and its at 207k now. I love mine, I just keep dumping money into it because nobody will ever really pay me what I would want for it lol. Super reliable cars, and they can take a hell of a beating as long as you repair / keep maintenance on time

[@bobbypratt7461]

Did you have to put gasket maker on the shift tower/top cover when you put it back together?

[@ChargerMiles007]

I don't recall, it is possible that I did, I don't see that it would hurt, as long as it is compatible with the 80W90 gear oil I am running in it.

[@YXEFlatl1ne]

What about on a Auto?

[@ChargerMiles007]

Sorry, no idea about that. I would think it would be totally different.

[@H2O_Details]

What length by what diameter bolt did you use?

[@ChargerMiles007]

I used a 2" long 1/4" cap screw that is not fully threaded (allen head), I think they are all a grade 8 bolt. I cut the length down to 1.375" with a sharp hacksaw or a grinder etc. (with a nut already screwed onto it, so the thread will be easy to attach the nut to later. I had to file the bolt shank down to 0.236" diameter, which I did by spinning it in a drill press, and using a flat file to machine the bolt down to size. Test fit it into the hole until you get it to fit, but you don't want it to be lose. I used a regular hex nut and applied Loctite to the threads, then torqued it to a reasonable tightness (remember it is acting as a pin, NOT a clamp bolt). I then tested the mechanism again to make sure the bolt wasn't too long causing problems. Once I knew everything was right, I used a small chisel to put lines in the threads about 90 degrees away from the threads (upsetting the threads) this acts as extra insurance that the nut cannot unscrew due to vibration over time. I drove the car at least 1 year after the repair with no problems. I hope this helps you out. Miles

[@951slim]

Just out of curiosity did you have to remove the axles to replace that pin.

[@ChargerMiles007]

No, I only cleaned off, and unbolted the top cover on the trans, which I show in the vid, no axle work involved!

[@951slim]

Just out of curiosity do you have to remove the axles to replace that pin?

[@ChargerMiles007]

Seems like a double comment, no axles stayed put!

[@OranthumLLC]

Thank you great stuff!

[@ChargerMiles007]

My pleasure!

[@danmatthews3102]

Thanks! Great Job making this video! I'm going to have t do the same thing to mine.

[@ChargerMiles007]

You are welcome, I know that my vids are not always the best for photography, but I try to show the important details. The pin I made is still working fine in my car, but the body is rusting!

[@Paulman50]

Haven't herd a lot of good stuff about the focus.

[@ChargerMiles007]

I wish I had heard that before I let 2 follow me home! :)

[@CyberCheese392]

This fixed my car but now I feel a heat coming from the shifter.. hmm

[@ChargerMiles007]

That is strange! Dumb question, but does the transaxle has enough gear oil in it?

[@Rustbelt_Research]

I can't believe there are any 03 Focuses left on the road. A friend of mine owned an 04 and it was literally one of the worst vehicles I've ever had the displeasure of driving or working on. Everything was so flimsily and cheaply constructed, it rusted out, and had endless stupid little issues until he finally sold it. The Kia Rio that replaced it was a much better car, which is saying something.

[@ChargerMiles007]

LOL !!! I probably have 2 of the few left on the road, mainly because I am a stubborn Turkey, and I have dumped too much money into these cars, so I have to keep the piles on the road for quite some time yet!

[@twocvbloke]

So, basically, it's a Ford and tried to be one that was still on the road, where as some actually made it home? :P

[@S.DONKEY]

These hopeless cars are actually volvos they put shame on the ford brand. real fords such as the mighty falcon are nothing like these horrible things