Abstract: A shift lever assembly (12) for a vehicle transmission (16) includes a housing (30), a selector lever (22) pivotally mounted with respect to the housing (20), a detent member (34), and a pawl (38). The selector lever (22) defines a longitudinal lever axis (66) along which a shift force is applied to selectively shift the transmission (16) between a plurality of shift positions. The detent member (34) is fixed with respect to the housing (30) and defines a plurality of detent gates (36) corresponding to the shift positions. The pawl (38) is mounted for movement with the selector lever (22) in and out of the detent gates (36). A roller assembly (76) is mounted to one end of the selector lever (22) and engages a stop (68). When the pawl (38) is in the park position and vehicle braking system (18) is not applied, the stop (68) prevents the lever (22) from moving longitudinally along the longitudinal lever axis (66).