1997 Ford Escort Ford Escort brake light switch problem

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I own a Ford Escort 1997, a little over 2 months ago the car wouldn't go into gear, so I went to auto zone and asked if they had a clue what could be doing that.
The guy said it sounds like the brake light switch, sold me a new part for $10 and explained with a printout how to replace it.
Well I am car challenged but I always give a shot at fixing things that appear simple first prior to hire pros, and I did get my new brake light switch in there and the car went into gear.
I drove the car with no problems for 2 months and then the part broke and the car wouldn't go into gear again.
I bought another switch put it in there again and this time I try to adjust it the best I could as I figure I placed the one that broke too close to the brake pedal and it wore out quickly.
Well it worked for 2 weeks and now it just failed again and the car won't go into gear again.
What am I doing wrong guys? Is there a trick or anything that I don't know?
The part just screws in the hole provided for it, it is so easy, but why does it break every time?
One more thing the 2 parts I got at autozone look slightly different than my original part, could that be it, could it be the part that is wrong even if autozone says that is the one for an Escort 1997?
If all else fails it will go in the shop next week.

Thanks for your time

Patrick