Abstract: In a shift lever mechanism of a vehicle automatic transmission, there is provided a detent feeling generating mechanism which gives the driver an assured detent feeling upon shifting from "D" position to "2" position or vice versa. The detent feeling generating mechanism comprises a plate member which is stationary relative to the vehicle body and which has a stepped cam surface, a cylindrical rod swingable about its axis in response to the shifting movement of a shift lever relative to the plate member, a tubular housing fixed to the cylindrical rod to be swingable therewith and having a ball rotatably mounted in the free end thereof, and a spring disposed in the tubular housing to bias the ball to project outwardly so that the ball is forced to engage the stepped cam surface of the plate member.