Automatic shifter problems on a 93 Dakota?

I have a 1993 Dodge Dakota 6cyl automatic and when i try to put it into part it wont go all the way over the "p", it sits next to it and when i try to start the truck, i either have to whap the thing against the park side or put it in Neutral, so i know it is not just the lever but the whole safety too. is there any way to correct this? it is annoying having to do that every day and i'm not sure how good it is for the state of the shifter (i dont wnat to break it or anything...) and i also want to be sure that the park pin in the trans in fully inserted when i put it in park, not just stuck in a little like the selector it's self (my e-brake does not work, so i rely on it!)