Hi, I have a 2005 V6 Mazda Tribute. When it's in park, you can move the car
back and forth almost a foot, rocking back and forth. (of course this is without the
parking brake on) Does anyone have an idea as to what causes this? Mazda service told me it was normal, any other advice out there? Similar situations, how did you press
the issue with the Dealer? Or not to worry, just put the parking brake on?

Thanks.

 

Your dealer is correct, this is normal. "Park" simply locks all parts of the transmission together by dropping a pawl (picture a wide, flathead screwdriver blade) between two gears. The vehicle moves because there is space between the pawl and the teeth on either side of the gear.

If the pawl perfectly fit between the gear's teeth, the vehicle would not rock as there would be no clearance. But...it would be nearly impossible to line up the pawl with the space between the gear teeth, plus, there has to be some flexibility engineered into the transmission, otherwise there would be undue pressure on axles, transmission and engine mounts, etc. This is the same reason tall buildings are designed to sway in the wind. If they were built with complete rigidity, a stiff wind could knock the building over.