transmission advice requested

[1Marauder]

I have observed four issues with my transmission:

1) The inside shifter lever does not align with the "D"

2). The linkage is loose

3). The car does not downshift at all, and sometimes cycles through gears back and forth

4). The above happens most when I use the OD button inside...

Help, ideas, fixes?

16,000 miles... Car like new...

[1 Bad Merc]

If the car is stock which it sounds like then you are experiencing the weird shifting that plagued all the MM's. It has to do with the tune from Ford. All the trans in stock form feel like they are hunting around all the time for the right gear. This is normal and can be corrected with a proper tune. Check with Marty at Mo's or Lidio at Alternative Automotive and they can set you right up.

Most of us change the rear gears from 3.55 to 4.10 and do the tune at the same time. The 4.10 is what was originally supposed to come in the MM's but Ford put 3.55 because of the Cafe regs.

After the tune your car will be a whole different car. It is one of the best mods you will ever do and it will shift a heck of alot better.

As far as the shifter not being on drive and loose it probably just needs the linkage to be adjusted. You should be able to take it to any automotive place and they should be able to fix you right up pretty quick and easy. Not a big deal.

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the club :)