FWD/REV Cable popping off & reversing contractor for gas cart

[Rodie]

Couple of what may be rookie questions. My "new cart to me" is a gas EZGO Express S4. From what I can tell it's entirely stock.

The cable that attaches to the Forward/Reverse level occasionally pops off the lever assembly. It just like a wire that fits over a ball-type connector, so I just pop it back on.

I worry about this due to the fact that you can think you're in reverse, but if the cable pops off it will be in forward (and you go forward). Since I park the cart "behind things" I worry about crashing it into something due to this...!

I also notice the shifter can be difficult to move/select the opposite direction sometimes. Normally it's fine, but sometimes it takes more force than I think it should to shift (to the point I feel like I may break something).

I noticed a potential solutions of replacing the mechanical lever with a "reversing contractor" instead and have this be a pushbutton to select direction. That said, everything I read on these references doing this on an electric cart. Does anyone know if this is possible on a gasser?

.... or any other ideas on the existing shifter/cable problem I'm having would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Rodie