unclecookie

In my last post I asked for help or info on my A6 shifter noise. It kinda sounded like metal to metal rubbing. Today I removed the console to get access to the shifter. After observing the mechanical operation of the shifter and not finding any problem, I decided to remove the 4 nuts securing the shifter to see if there was a problem with the cable bushing that so many of you have said could be the problem. The cable has no play on the shifter rod, and seemed to operate just fine. But I did find that the noise I'm hearing is not in the shifter, but in the cable itself. So now I'm not sure if it is normal, or if the cable just dried out (if it was lubed in the first place). I guess I'll just not worry about it. I don't see any was to stop the noise.

UPDATE: Got the car on jack stands this afternoon and watched the shifter cable (trans end) as my wife shifted from neutral to drive and back. I found that the locking pin for the adjuster had somehow come out, and was allowing the cable to move slightly without the shift lever on the trans moving. The noise I heard was the locking pin just slightly rubbing on the teeth of the adjuster. Anyway, I pushed the locking pin all the way in until it snapped into place, and all is well now (see post #2 for a photo of the adjuster). It amazes me that the sound could travel through the cable and make it appear that it was coming from the shifter itself. In case there is a problem in the future, I still have a new cable on hand.

Dano523

The cable can be pulled and re-greased, but if you going to remove the shift cable, just pick up a new shift cable ,and add some grease to it instead. The plastic grommets on the shift cables are short lived, and a brand new cable is only around $50.

As for the cable, it has an adjuster on it, being the clip piece on the shifter lever bushing side.

If you go the below link, the side clip piece has been removed in the first photo, and reinstalled on the second photo. Hence with the both the trans shifter in park, and the trans shifter lever in park on the trans with cable installed both ends, the side clip is installed to lock that cable in its needed length.
https://www.vette2vette.com/?q=produ...-shifter-cable


As for the noise, best best is that if not the cable being dry, then the noise is coming from the trans shift lever on the trans instead. Here, just clean the parts and add a little lube to the parts to solve the steel to steel noise instead.

Tally Ho

If the cable breaks you will be stranded. Mine (2006 conv.) had no warning, no noises, or anything unusual. It just broke. Since I was 500 miles from home I had to get it towed and rely on a dealer in the area to get it fixed. Wasn't much fun.

unclecookie

New cable is on order. I will replace it as soon as it arrives.

Dano523

Before you install the new cable, add some extra lube (white spray lithium grease) to the cable from the start. GM does not lube the cables well to being with, and may well lube the cable on the heaver side from the start, then having to pull it later to lube in again then.

unclecookie

I just updated the original post to share what the actual problem was with my shifter, and the fix.

Knob Jockey

Good info, thanks for posting.

Enterprisehunter

Had the same problem, my shifter cable broke. Had to have car towed. Luckily car was still under 30 day warranty. Not a big job to replace but it will leave you stranded.

Thanks for the write up and photos.