View Poll Results: Where did yours fail?
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POLL: A4 Transmission Cable Breaks
Race Director
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From: The Sunshine State
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I have a 2004 non DD with low miles (20K) and the cable broke at the shifter. Interestingly it broke the day after I had to move the car back and forth in the garage in order to position it on my Race Ramps as I was planning my annual CCW wheel pull, sand, and polish. Maybe my moving the shifter back and forth so many times caused the 12 year old part to break off. Since the car was in park when I noticed the failure, I jacked up the rear and and after confirming the transmission link was still engaged, manually moved the transmission arm two clicks to Neutral. Flat bed tow did the rest.
I understand this fix is pretty straightforward, however only if you have the tools and equipment to really get underneath the car. I have ramps and jack stands and even though I can get under the car to check stuff out or do an oil change, I don't want to lie on my back and try to perform major repairs. Therefore I'm having the dealership service team replace the entire cable assembly so that I obtain a new warranty on the OEM part. The first one lasted 12 years so I expect the new one to last that long as well.
I understand this fix is pretty straightforward, however only if you have the tools and equipment to really get underneath the car. I have ramps and jack stands and even though I can get under the car to check stuff out or do an oil change, I don't want to lie on my back and try to perform major repairs. Therefore I'm having the dealership service team replace the entire cable assembly so that I obtain a new warranty on the OEM part. The first one lasted 12 years so I expect the new one to last that long as well.
Last edited by MSG C5; Nov 4, 2015 at 07:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I have a 2004 non DD with low miles (20K) and the cable broke at the shifter. Interestingly it broke the day after I had to move the car back and forth in the garage in order to position it on my Race Ramps as I was planning my annual CCW wheel pull, sand, and polish. Maybe my moving the shifter back and forth so many times caused the 12 year old part to break off. Since the car was in park when I noticed the failure, I jacked up the rear and and after confirming the transmission link was still engaged, manually moved the transmission arm two clicks to Neutral. Flat bed tow did the rest.
I understand this fix is pretty straightforward, however only if you have the tools and equipment to really get underneath the car. I have ramps and jack stands and even though I can get under the car to check stuff out or do an oil change, I don't want to lie on my back and try to perform major repairs. Therefore I'm having the dealership service team replace the entire cable assembly so that I obtain a new warranty on the OEM part. The first one lasted 12 years so I expect the new one to last that long as well.
I understand this fix is pretty straightforward, however only if you have the tools and equipment to really get underneath the car. I have ramps and jack stands and even though I can get under the car to check stuff out or do an oil change, I don't want to lie on my back and try to perform major repairs. Therefore I'm having the dealership service team replace the entire cable assembly so that I obtain a new warranty on the OEM part. The first one lasted 12 years so I expect the new one to last that long as well.
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Haven't had any problems with my shift cable yet (20K miles on the '03) but thanks for the info on this issue. Will save it for future use.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
How on earth does a "cable" break? Is it plastic?
I could see a crimped end coming off the cable or a nylon bushing crumbling. Not sure why they did not use metal couplings?
I could see a crimped end coming off the cable or a nylon bushing crumbling. Not sure why they did not use metal couplings?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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Burning Brakes
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From: Seminole, FL
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From: Del Boca Vista FL
Yeah, I bought the bushing kit from the FLAPS. One bushing was a perfect fit. In removing the worn out factory bushing I put too much lateral force on the cable housing at the shifter end and that "snap" told me I was FUBARED. As I had already opened the package I went ahead and installed the bushing at the shifter end and it fit perfectly. I installed the cable back onto the shifter and it worked perfectly from Park to Low position. ONCE and once only. With the housing broken it would not return to the park position. Flatbed to dealer, new cable assembly installed. Done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
My daughter's '99 failed at the transmission late at night 15 miles from home. I jacked it up with the emergency brakes on, slipped a jack stand in for safety, and crawled under to put it in "DRIVE". After I let it back down, the car started since the shifter was still in "PARK" (had my foot on the brake when I started it), then I drove it home while she drove my car home. Bought the $5 nylon bushing kit from Advance Auto the next day, jacked it up/placed jack stands under it, then popped the bushing on in less than 2 minutes...took me longer to jack it up/place the jack stands then it did for the fix. Never had another problem for the next 4-5 years she had it. There's a thread in the "TECH" section telling all about it, do a search...it also includes the part number to the nylon bushing kit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181805232209?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
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From: Wisconsin
I'm sure those would work but a little pricey at $25 for two of them.
These bushings from Advanced Auto Parts are only $7.50 for an assortment of 5 sizes:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/d...&prefZC=32266#
One of them will fit perfect! It may take a little bit of force to get it on, I used moly grease and a large screwdriver as a pry bar to get leverage. No need to drop the exhaust either.
These bushings from Advanced Auto Parts are only $7.50 for an assortment of 5 sizes:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/d...&prefZC=32266#
One of them will fit perfect! It may take a little bit of force to get it on, I used moly grease and a large screwdriver as a pry bar to get leverage. No need to drop the exhaust either.
Found best deal: 5.99 with free shipping on ebay. Dorman part no. 14041
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pedal-and-Sh...1T28V0&vxp=mtr
Last edited by JR-01; Nov 7, 2015 at 06:22 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 122
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From: Clermont Fl
Mine broke 1000 miles from home. Book calls for 1.8 hrs labor to change it out. I got reamed for 4 hrs labor, got charged for a stud kit, 2 donuts, 2 gaskets, new cable. Total charge was $480 after a generous 10% discount. Mine failed in drive, was able to hook up a remote start to drive it in, saved a tow charge.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Mine broke 1000 miles from home. Book calls for 1.8 hrs labor to change it out. I got reamed for 4 hrs labor, got charged for a stud kit, 2 donuts, 2 gaskets, new cable. Total charge was $480 after a generous 10% discount. Mine failed in drive, was able to hook up a remote start to drive it in, saved a tow charge.
Race Director
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From: The Sunshine State
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I just had my local dealer swap out my cable. Below are some pics of the original cable to give you a better idea of the parts involved and where the breakage occurs. The cable itself doesn't brake, rather the grommet connections at either the shifter or transmission:
Full cable:
Transmission connection:
Shifter connection:
Mine broke at the shifter. As you can see by the cable condition, it would probably be impossible for the cable itself to break, rather the plastic or gromett connections.
Full cable:
Transmission connection:
Shifter connection:
Mine broke at the shifter. As you can see by the cable condition, it would probably be impossible for the cable itself to break, rather the plastic or gromett connections.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I just had my local dealer swap out my cable. Below are some pics of the original cable to give you a better idea of the parts involved and where the breakage occurs. The cable itself doesn't brake, rather the grommet connections at either the shifter or transmission:
Full cable:
Transmission connection:
Shifter connection:
Mine broke at the shifter. As you can see by the cable condition, it would probably be impossible for the cable itself to break, rather the plastic or gromett connections.
Full cable:
Transmission connection:
Shifter connection:
Mine broke at the shifter. As you can see by the cable condition, it would probably be impossible for the cable itself to break, rather the plastic or gromett connections.
Last edited by JR-01; Nov 8, 2015 at 04:49 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
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From: The Sunshine State
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Perhaps if you gave them the grommets but the replacement part they stock is the entire cable assembly. Since it would probably cost the same amount in terms of labor, might as well swap out the entire piece. Sure it's $80 more, but it comes with a full year warranty whereas I doubt the grommets have any type of warranty. My first one lasted 12 years so I hope this one last just as long.
I know from a cost perspective, it's a no brainer to do this yourself, however I travel on business and my car had already been parked in my garage for two weeks waiting for me to carve out the time to try and repair it myself. I chose the dealership route so that the car was ready for me to pick up when I arrived back home from my last trip. I would have liked to save the money, but in this case the time value of money was in my favor to just have the work outsourced.
I know from a cost perspective, it's a no brainer to do this yourself, however I travel on business and my car had already been parked in my garage for two weeks waiting for me to carve out the time to try and repair it myself. I chose the dealership route so that the car was ready for me to pick up when I arrived back home from my last trip. I would have liked to save the money, but in this case the time value of money was in my favor to just have the work outsourced.
Last edited by MSG C5; Nov 8, 2015 at 05:02 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I will see what they say. They have always been fair with me and sometimes they are cheaper than the independent shops. They want to sell me another new truck.