Shift column broke

My Brother has a 2001 4.7 and says the shift column broke with the transmission stuck in drive. He’s basically homeless living in the mountains out of his truck with nowhere to go because all lodging in mammoth lakes is no go due to covid. He researched and found it’s a common problem. Is there any quick fix to get the truck into park so he can run the truck to stay warm?

 

I feel like @empty_lord would be a good one to ask. Can your brother provide any additional pictures in the meantime? I don’t know if it matters, but is it Limited or SR5?

 

Damn, that's a bummer. Looks like cast aluminum.
+1 on sir @empty_lord

 

SR5

 

Not familiar with this problem personally, but it seems like a cable/ linkage is either bound or broken. Is it possible to access the linkage on the trans from underneath? If so, could you undo the cable and shift it manually by hand until you can figure out what is broken from the shifter? Maybe some of the 1st gen guys can weight in. Good luck.

 

I would try @TILLY's suggestion until the shift kever/cable can be resolved.

 

Possible temporary solution.

Found this video: https://youtu.be/X6wmZ7CR8Is

He had his tundra locked in park, as his tail lights fuse was burned out. He said, if taillight fuse, then the truck will stay in park.

Maybe remove the fuse, and it will force it into park? I don't know if the shifting mechanism is mechanical or electrical.. might work, good luck.

If not, try pulling/pushing the cable. Looks like an expensive fix.

 

OP's brothers truck is a 2001..

 

ok ignore what i said. i was on my phone now the PC. the columns broke. junkyard column is the option that'll cost the least



for now shift from under the vehicle. but i wouldnt do that if you need to drive it. park it for now.

 

that right there appears to be completely broke off, which indicates something SUPER seized, or someone REALLY cranked on this sucker

 

Is he not able to hold the bracket in some vise grips and shift it into park with the lever? Make sure the brake is adequately depressed and the lever is fully pulled forward toward the driver, the lockout mechanism may not have disengaged when he broke that lever trying to shift. Or, the lockout mechanism may be broken. Or, the cable may be seized up. Strange it broke while in drive. Mine's so loosey goosey in drive you could almost just accidently bump it out of gear. These usually break when trying to shift out of park. Often because the brake pedal wasn't adequately depressed.

 

Whoa...Deja Vue!

I think I did I writeup on TundraSolutions.com on how to fix that in my past life.

 

Got a link? It looks really involved, did you have to pull the steering wheel?

 

To fix it, yes you need to pull the steering wheel. I finally found the link to the thread I created years back... Edit: It may be possible to do this without removing the steering wheel as someone else did it that way. I can’t recall exactly why I took it off originally; maybe just for a better view of everything.

For now I would just use that kidney shaped armature in the pic to shift gears and drive it around without the shifter...

 

Nice find!
How's your brother's situation going @Sterlinglwood

 

How did this happen? Cable seized at transmission?

 

Thanks for all the responses. I’ve sent this thread to him but haven’t heard back. I’ll probably talk to him later today.

 

It’s just a bad design by Toyota where they use a cast aluminum bracket to hold the shifting mechanism. Imperfections in the casting process can lead to premature failure under normal stress fatigue. Mine just broke off one day with little to no effort.

 

This is called brotherhood. Lend him yr 2017 until he fixes his. On the meantime rent one for yourself. Thats what I would do.

 

Be my friend.

 

I like my brother but I'm not loaning him my truck.

 

Aloha,

does anyone know the total parts list to repair this? Mines snapped off the exact same way. Trying to find the parts for it.

 

Did you miss reply #14?

 

Oops sorry I did and just read it.

For anyone else that missed it, here’s the parts list based on post #14

Parts:
OEM support bracket: part # 45859-07010
OEM shaft assembly: part # 33501-0C011
Optional parts (does not include the 3 screws for mounting the shaft to the support bracket - mine were good):
OEM tilt steering pivot pins/bolts (2 total): part #45856-07010
OEM torx lobular screws for mounting support bracket (4 total): part #90080-10048
OEM screw to hold column shifter arm into shaft (1 total): part #90080-16070

 

Same problem yesterday...

Good Luck finding parts! Both the Support bracket and shaft assembly are discontinued (Dorman lists a replacement but...). I got lucky after 11 phone calls to dealers from South FL to Central CA and have what I need headed my way. Call Jacob at Madera Toyota 559.674.9000, or anyone at Olathe Toyota 913.780.9919. Both fellas were awesome. Junkyard is an option but since this a metal fatigue issue, I'd rather not roll the dice on another failure.

There were a few dealers who had OE shift assemblies on the shelf but not everyone will ship to you. The support bracket was harder to find. If your local dealer doesn't have it, ask them to check availability within the region. They should be able to see if anyone else has them on the shelf.

Happy wrenching!
-A

 

I see a lot of folks just slap their shifters in park. Be gentle with it.