hi everybody i have a 65 mustang with a 4 speed side loader and there is a ton

of play in the shifter. you can move it a good 3 inches back and forth when in

gear. i was wondering if the whole shift linkage has to be replaced or the

existing linkage can be rebuilt by just replacing the bushings in the linkage or

something. thanks for the responses in advance!

 

Get under your car and see what is lose or broken. Tighten or replace those parts, or take it to a shop and pay someone to get under your car and see what is lose or broken.

 

Almost certainly the problem is with the attachment of the handle to the shifter. The rubber grommets are shot, or even gone. Get a '4-speed shifter handle kit', and it should tighten right up. Make sure you get the special thick, hardened washers that go with the kit. Most dealers don't have them. I've never understood why they aren't included in the kits, they are a critical item. Glazier/Nolan calls them G07159.