Jeep Wrangler TJ 2005 Shift Park Release Link

[TeejMeister]

My 2005 Wrangler decided that enough was enough, and the inadequately designed plastic part inside the gear shift finally broke. So my interweb search started; down one rabbit hole and up another. Pulling the T-Handle off the gear shift shows me the top of the plastic part, and was removed easy enough. There are plenty of videos out there showing this easy part of the problem. Most of the interweb shows info on the 1997-2002 Wranglers, but I own a 2005. There are plastic parts available from every corner of the interwebs, but they all say up to 2002. I take my part and Jeep info to the local dealer and they tell me that I have to purchase the entire shift assembly from the base plate to the t-handle, and the plastic part isn't available separately. OK, how much is the entire assembly? Sorry it's discontinued and not available!

Automotive designers should be dragged though thorn bushes, twice!

Yes, I saw the many posts about using a chop stick. However, this didn't seem to work for me. Yes, I measured the chop stick accurately and cut it to the proper length. Wait, what about a plastic coat hanger! Sure, I could sacrifice a plastic coat hanger to the best Jeep Wrangler ever. I made some cuts and trimmed some more. After too many trial and error attempts to get the correct length, I finally settled on 4.5 inches in length. It seems the plastic piece for the earlier years is longer.

Here's the original part minus the broken, missing end, and my modified coat hanger part. I've been using the modified coat hanger for a few days now and no problems yet. I live in Florida and I'm wondering if the plastic used for the coat hanger will stand up to the hot temps. Time will tell.

Does anyone have the original plastic part in good condition? If someone has one from a 2005 year, I would appreciate a photo or accurate measurement of the part.

Thanks Y'all,
Teej

 

[Chris]

A metal rod would work as well. Just find a piece of similarly sized metal rod at Home Depot and cut it to length. That's what I'd do.

 

[hear]

2 posts in, this guy is demonstrating the true TJ spirit. I want — nay, need — to see this work & put in our how-to section.

 

[Eastweird]

My 2005 Wrangler decided that enough was enough, and the inadequately designed plastic part inside the gear shift finally broke. So my interweb search started; down one rabbit hole and up another. Pulling the T-Handle off the gear shift shows me the top of the plastic part, and was removed easy enough. There are plenty of videos out there showing this easy part of the problem. Most of the interweb shows info on the 1997-2002 Wranglers, but I own a 2005. There are plastic parts available from every corner of the interwebs, but they all say up to 2002. I take my part and Jeep info to the local dealer and they tell me that I have to purchase the entire shift assembly from the base plate to the t-handle, and the plastic part isn't available separately. OK, how much is the entire assembly? Sorry it's discontinued and not available!

Automotive designers should be dragged though thorn bushes, twice!

Yes, I saw the many posts about using a chop stick. However, this didn't seem to work for me. Yes, I measured the chop stick accurately and cut it to the proper length. Wait, what about a plastic coat hanger! Sure, I could sacrifice a plastic coat hanger to the best Jeep Wrangler ever. I made some cuts and trimmed some more. After too many trial and error attempts to get the correct length, I finally settled on 4.5 inches in length. It seems the plastic piece for the earlier years is longer.

View attachment 546426

Here's the original part minus the broken, missing end, and my modified coat hanger part. I've been using the modified coat hanger for a few days now and no problems yet. I live in Florida and I'm wondering if the plastic used for the coat hanger will stand up to the hot temps. Time will tell.

Does anyone have the original plastic part in good condition? If someone has one from a 2005 year, I would appreciate a photo or accurate measurement of the part.

Thanks Y'all,
Teej

How did you remove it to see if it was broken? My jeep won't shift out of park, I went to remove the beaded piece, but mine is black? And it seemed stuck in there good. I don't want to break it trying to remove it if it's not already broken!

 

[Eastweird]

My 2005 Wrangler decided that enough was enough, and the inadequately designed plastic part inside the gear shift finally broke. So my interweb search started; down one rabbit hole and up another. Pulling the T-Handle off the gear shift shows me the top of the plastic part, and was removed easy enough. There are plenty of videos out there showing this easy part of the problem. Most of the interweb shows info on the 1997-2002 Wranglers, but I own a 2005. There are plastic parts available from every corner of the interwebs, but they all say up to 2002. I take my part and Jeep info to the local dealer and they tell me that I have to purchase the entire shift assembly from the base plate to the t-handle, and the plastic part isn't available separately. OK, how much is the entire assembly? Sorry it's discontinued and not available!

Automotive designers should be dragged though thorn bushes, twice!

Yes, I saw the many posts about using a chop stick. However, this didn't seem to work for me. Yes, I measured the chop stick accurately and cut it to the proper length. Wait, what about a plastic coat hanger! Sure, I could sacrifice a plastic coat hanger to the best Jeep Wrangler ever. I made some cuts and trimmed some more. After too many trial and error attempts to get the correct length, I finally settled on 4.5 inches in length. It seems the plastic piece for the earlier years is longer.

View attachment 546426

Here's the original part minus the broken, missing end, and my modified coat hanger part. I've been using the modified coat hanger for a few days now and no problems yet. I live in Florida and I'm wondering if the plastic used for the coat hanger will stand up to the hot temps. Time will tell.

Does anyone have the original plastic part in good condition? If someone has one from a 2005 year, I would appreciate a photo or accurate measurement of the part.

Thanks Y'all,
Teej

How did you remove this piece? My jeep is stuck in park, I took off the handle and my piece like this is black? I went to give it a tug to see if it was broken and it seems to be in there pretty good. I just don't want to break it if it's not already broken.