Educate me please - is this normal (truck rocking in park)

[Scott Asheville]

I've recently noticed that my Maverick can be rocked back and forth quite a bit in Park. Since I've exclusively driven manuals for the last 50 years, I don't know if this is normal. I'm vaguely aware that automatics have some safety widget called a "parking pawl" that locks them down.

Not freaked out or anything. Just wondering how a vehicle in Park should react if you give it a good shove. I truly don't know what's normal.

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[SigonLegacy]

A big hunk of it is the soft engine mounts. Open the hood up and give it a shove and you can see the whole thing rock. There's an aftermarket engine mount you can get that reduces that rocking, if it's that much of a concern.

 

[Montana]

It's normal. Nothing to worry about

 

[Fcnrwy]

Normal..

Jerry

 

[Maverick Life]

I have an old corolla I keep around "just in case" and I'm pretty sure I could push it around the block in park.

The parking brake is noticeably more secure than the parking gear though.

 

[Old Man]

Try taking off tight lug nuts - it moves back and forth a couple of inches. Didn't know I was so strong.

 

[Morgan33]

All cars do that, unless you put on the parking brake.

 

[Mavstan]

Normal

 

[bgn]

Not only is it normal, it's also part of Ford's official procedures for troubleshooting in the service manual.

 

[Hardening2753]

I've recently noticed that my Maverick can be rocked back and forth quite a bit in Park. Since I've exclusively driven manuals for the last 50 years, I don't know if this is normal. I'm vaguely aware that automatics have some safety widget called a "parking pawl" that locks them down.

Not freaked out or anything. Just wondering how a vehicle in Park should react if you give it a good shove. I truly don't know what's normal.

Does it have it too with parking brake on?

 

[Derwood]

I use my parking brake all the time. Specially good on even slight hills so the tranny isn't catching the truck trying to move forwards or backwards.

 

[wb5oxq]

Mine seems to turn the parking brake on often especially if there is a slight grade.

 

[Scott Asheville]

OP here. You folks have educated me. Thanks to all.

 

[Bigbill27]

I have used the parking brake on all my vehicles. I use them every time I get out of the car. Whether manual or electronic brake, it is just a good habit.

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