Auto gear shifter repair/replace?

I have an 77 150 with C6 auto..over the weekend the shifter on the column appeared to shear/ship as it no longer moves the gear selector on the engine side of the firewall (which i can easily move by hand).

Can someone give me some tips on how to address this? Do I need to pull the entire steering column or is this just some old part that can be easily replaced by removing the steering wheel?

Thanks in advance for your help.

are you sure its not moving it? maybe it came unhooked at the tranny?
Does the shifter feel extra sloppy or moves real easy without the slector moving in the speedo gage?
Tim

yes. i can move the lever on the column with no resistance..i don't even feel the "detents" for the PRND21 any more...pretty sloppy. However, if i pop the hood and reach down on the column i can easily move the linkage, I feel the resistance of the different gear selections and it appears to be moving the linkage on the C6. I was told i had to pull the entire column to make this repair...not excited about that. I am hoping some one has a smarter way to handle this one. If gave no warning either...happened as i was parking in the drive way after driving around town most the day. Any help is greatly appreciated.

yea I believe you'll have to pull the whold collum..
sorry
YOu know sometimes there is an adjustment under the hood where the linkage is... there may be like an screw and an angled slit where you can turn it to make a small adjustment in how tight it is.. might help..

tim