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My 102,000 mile 2001 A4 had the exhaust and tunnel plate off for other work, so I decided to change the shift cable as a preventative measure.
There have been so many posts over the years on failing shift cable bushings that I expected to find the bushings on my original cable to show brittleness and cracking and maybe even break upon removal.
Not so. Once removed, the original cable appeared to be in excellent condition including the end bushings, which are firm, not brittle and show no cracks. From its appearance, it would have gone another 100,000 miles and fifteen years.
The new AC Delco cable was installed anyway because I had it and it seemed foolish not to go forward with the change.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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If you've already torn the car down that far, sometimes it does pay to go ahead and do the preventative maintenance - saves tearing it back down again.