View Poll Results: Where did yours fail?
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll
POLL: A4 Transmission Cable Breaks
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 346
Likes: 24
From: Selma, NC
1997 C5, failed this past January at 98k miles. (while sitting on ramps getting starter replaced)
Failed at shifter linkage. Ended up replacing ignition switch and TDR because it still wouldn't respond with the new starter. After a few days of frustration, went to roll it down and huh...gears wont change.
Gene Culley saved the day - new cable and back on the road.
Failed at shifter linkage. Ended up replacing ignition switch and TDR because it still wouldn't respond with the new starter. After a few days of frustration, went to roll it down and huh...gears wont change.
Gene Culley saved the day - new cable and back on the road.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
When you are doing it yourself you accept the risks. When the dealership replaces the cable assembly they accept the risks of a possibly defective part and their mechanic's labor.
I repair what I can on my vehicles to save money when I can. Sometimes the vehicle has to go to the dealer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Yes it is more money for them. Or they could just replace the shifter end bushing for you and the trans end bushing might fail three weeks later and you would be pissed and blaming them. And then they could replace the trans end bushing and you would pay more labor and be pissed. They replace the cable assembly and provide a warranty to you.
When you are doing it yourself you accept the risks. When the dealership replaces the cable assembly they accept the risks of a possibly defective part and their mechanic's labor.
I repair what I can on my vehicles to save money when I can. Sometimes the vehicle has to go to the dealer.
When you are doing it yourself you accept the risks. When the dealership replaces the cable assembly they accept the risks of a possibly defective part and their mechanic's labor.
I repair what I can on my vehicles to save money when I can. Sometimes the vehicle has to go to the dealer.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
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1997 C5, failed this past January at 98k miles. (while sitting on ramps getting starter replaced)
Failed at shifter linkage. Ended up replacing ignition switch and TDR because it still wouldn't respond with the new starter. After a few days of frustration, went to roll it down and huh...gears wont change.
Gene Culley saved the day - new cable and back on the road.
Failed at shifter linkage. Ended up replacing ignition switch and TDR because it still wouldn't respond with the new starter. After a few days of frustration, went to roll it down and huh...gears wont change.
Gene Culley saved the day - new cable and back on the road.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
I understand your position. Have been through it as well as family members (4 C5's in the family). We have had the experience of replacing bushings and having cable actually fail in the housing.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
1997 C5, failed this past January at 98k miles. (while sitting on ramps getting starter replaced)
Failed at shifter linkage. Ended up replacing ignition switch and TDR because it still wouldn't respond with the new starter. After a few days of frustration, went to roll it down and huh...gears wont change.
Gene Culley saved the day - new cable and back on the road.
Failed at shifter linkage. Ended up replacing ignition switch and TDR because it still wouldn't respond with the new starter. After a few days of frustration, went to roll it down and huh...gears wont change.
Gene Culley saved the day - new cable and back on the road.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
I see that the bushings Ecklers sells have a "slit" in them. (They look like the ones in the photo posted in Post #33)
I wonder how that would affect "durability" over time?
I am guessing they add that to make snapping it in easier?
Is it not possible to replace the transmission-end bushing without dropping the exhaust?
I wonder how that would affect "durability" over time?
I am guessing they add that to make snapping it in easier?
Is it not possible to replace the transmission-end bushing without dropping the exhaust?
Last edited by Choreo; Nov 11, 2015 at 10:52 PM.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
I have not looked at mine yet, but people are saying that they are moving the transmission lever from under the car when the cable fails, so it seems like if you can reach that to move it, you could replace that bushing?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
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I can imagine this would be a pretty straightforward fix if you have the ability to really get under your car and work. At the time of my tranny cable break, I didn't have the proper tools to really get under the car and attempt the fix myself. Since then, I have purchased the proper C5-specific lifting tools including low-profile jacks, heavy duty stands, and the Smith Fabrication cross beams you use. I feel that I can now at least get under the car for proper maintenance repairs, although I still hate working any project where I'm lying on my back.
I'm also planning to buy a 4-post lift once we decide on the next house.
Last edited by MSG C5; Nov 12, 2015 at 06:46 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 5
From: Orlando,Fl,USA
I have seen several posts lately regarding A4 Transmission Cables failing. My question is, for those of you that have experienced this problem, where did the failure occur... at the shifter connection, the transmission connection or did the cable itself break?
If yours failed, also curious what year C5 and mileage.
If yours failed, also curious what year C5 and mileage.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 156
Likes: 8
2000 with 101000 broke at shifter and was a pain but DIY. Purchased a metal upgraded end link for the tranny connection but have not installed it yet. Testing my luck i guess. https://www.atfspeed.com/shop/shifte...le-repair-pin/
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
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2000 with 101000 broke at shifter and was a pain but DIY. Purchased a metal upgraded end link for the tranny connection but have not installed it yet. Testing my luck i guess. https://www.atfspeed.com/shop/shifte...le-repair-pin/
Since the grommets seem to be the primary failure point, I wonder if a better solution would be to try and find aluminum grommets that replace the OEM plastic ones?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
If you find them, let us know.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
I don't think a aluminum "grommet" would work. I'm still one of the lucky ones who hasn't faced this problem yet but from reading posts and looking at pictures it looks as though that plastic grommet has to "give" a little so it can be pushed and snapped on over the ball end anchor or pivot point. I don't think aluminum will snap on like a plastic one would.