If the vehicle has just been driven, wait several hours to allow the engine to cool down before beginning this procedure. Disconnect both the negative and positive cables from the battery and wait at least two minutes before proceeding. Place the shifter in neutral, then raise the vehicle on a hoist or securely support it on jackstands. Remove the air filter housing. For a floor shifter, remove the center console and trim to access the shift cable and disconnect it from the shift lever, then remove the driver's side knee bolster. Use a trim tool to pry the cable eye from the ballstud on the shifter and release the tabs on the sides of the shift cable to detach it from the console. On 2007 and earlier models, remove the two instrument panel brace bolts at the floor, slide the cable under the brace, and remove it. For a column shifter, remove the upper and lower steering column covers, then the center dash bezel and driver's side trim panel. Use a trim tool to pry the cable eye from the ballstud on the shifter and release the tabs on the sides of the shift cable to detach it from the bracket. For all models, remove the insulation from the floor area under the center of the instrument panel to access the fasteners securing the cable grommet to the floorpan, then remove the fasteners securing the transaxle cable plate/grommet. To disconnect the shift cable at the transaxle control lever, pop the cable end off of the lever ballstud, then depress the tabs and slide the cable housing out of the bracket. Squeeze the retaining tab(s) and detach the cable housing from the mounting bracket on the transaxle, disconnect any cable retainers along the length of the cable, and remove the grommet plate nuts from the floorpan studs below the HVAC housing. Pull the shift cable through the floor from the inside, passing it under and to the left of the air duct that leads to the rear seats, noting that the grommet is integral to the cable assembly. Installation is the reverse of removal, and the new cable should be adjusted after installation. Set the parking brake, then disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal and remove the air filter housing. Place the shifter in Drive, pop the cable off of the shift lever ballstud, and manually move the shift arm at the transaxle clockwise until it stops, then rotate the lever counterclockwise one click. On 2007 and earlier models, slide the release tab toward the cable end to unlock it and pull out the adjusting tab. On 2008 and later models, carefully pry up on the release tab, then pull up the lock tab. On 2013 and later models without paddle shift, pry the lock tabs out and slide the lock forward to release. Slide the shift lever cable end until the cable is aligned with the control lever, then reconnect the cable end to the manual lever ballstud with the lock still released. Slide back the lock on the adjuster, ensuring the adjuster is locked and the cable is securely seated onto the ball stud. Install any remaining components, then apply the parking brake, start the engine, and shift into each range to verify the adjustment is correct.
Posted by FordPartsGiant Specialist 
