Automatic Shift cable broke again
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,744
Likes: 3,671
From: The Sunshine State
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I bought these just in case mine breaks.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-1997-201...item1a1acf4f1c
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-1997-201...item1a1acf4f1c
This bushings are not the low quality made in china versions that a big corporation offers and that you will find here on Ebay or maybe elsewhere. This are made in America, heavy duty, life time warranty bushings. Also this are not "trimmed", "notched" or split bushings, like two copycats offer under the "promise" to ease installation but compromise safety and a long lasting repair.
Last edited by JR-01; May 30, 2017 at 02:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
I have a 2003 50Th convertible with 33,000 miles. I like to shift the car manually from time to time. I have broke the cable a few years ago and it broke again Friday. Anyone have a solution to this problem? Car is stuck in first gear and need to take it in for repair. Is there an aftermarket solution?
Mine broke at the shifter end, but I changed both as a preventive measure. I'm glad I decided to do that because the other end's bushing basically disintegrated when I tried to remove it.
All you need is the kit and it costs just a few bucks. Use the white bushings (the orange ones are for Ford):
And
Last edited by GCG; May 30, 2017 at 02:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 19,980
Likes: 74
If it's just the nylon bushings 2 or 3 dollars for parts It's the Dorman 14055 bushing. I don't know what a shop might charge to install them. It would take me about 3 hours. Shop should be able to do it much quicker.
http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemde...9&SEName=14055
A complete new cable is about $60 dollars and it took me 3 days and language you wouldn't want the children to hear to replace that. Again a shop should do it much quicker.
There is rarely a reason to replace the entire cable.
http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemde...9&SEName=14055
A complete new cable is about $60 dollars and it took me 3 days and language you wouldn't want the children to hear to replace that. Again a shop should do it much quicker.
There is rarely a reason to replace the entire cable.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Just go to Autozone. In the Help section there is a package with 4 of 5 of those bushings. One of them fits. I think the second to smallest one. Costs about $5. Dorman 14041. I know it says it does not fit , but it does.
Last edited by UM Rebel; May 30, 2017 at 07:44 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 10
From: Jesuit Bend Louisiana
This has become so common on the C5 that Ecklers now sells the repair bushings!!
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1997-2004.html
Now, you can get thee MUCH cheaper elsewhere but if Ecklers is advertising these you know it is a common issue!
When mine went out I found my replacements on that auction site many have alluded to.......
I would recommend replacing both the front and rear -- be especially careful on the front that you don't mess up the brake interlock cable (this is the cable that makes it to where you have to hold the brake to shift out of park).......
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1997-2004.html
Now, you can get thee MUCH cheaper elsewhere but if Ecklers is advertising these you know it is a common issue!
When mine went out I found my replacements on that auction site many have alluded to.......
I would recommend replacing both the front and rear -- be especially careful on the front that you don't mess up the brake interlock cable (this is the cable that makes it to where you have to hold the brake to shift out of park).......
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: spring Hill florida
Have a 2009 just turned 23001 today and shifter front bushing broke.took apart lots of pieces put in new bushing and keep rear one if I need it.read this whole post thanks for everyone's comments went to O'reilly's got doorman bushing pushed it into end of cable and used a pair of pliers just a little pressure and popped onto the shifter didn't use any kind of lube. Thanks again.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Thank you
The cable itself rarely breaks. It's the stupid nylon things that pop over studs at console end and transmission end. The nylon deteriorates or wears out and the cable comes loose. Most broken cables are a result of trying to get new nylon thing installed and back on stud. The plastic housing at each end of the cable does not bend, it breaks! I speak from experience. The cable is cheap. Replacing it is a PITA.! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 275
From: Wichita Falls Texas
I see this post started three years ago. I started reading about the problem about that time. It had me worried since I have a 2003 vert with the A4 so I bought the bushings plus a new cable. The bushings were cheap and I carried them with me in case something happened.
It never did but the thought was always there.
I decided to install the new cable and the bushings in the old cable were barely worn.
The moral to this story is, I think if a person shifts the car manually a lot (which I never do) it wears out the bushings. It is a poor design.
This is a sports car and you should be able to shift the A4 manually as hard and as often as you want but if you do the bushings, being made out of plastic, will wear out.
As far as I'm concerned my new cable and bushings will last me the rest of my life and I won't have to worry about them.
If you want to manually shift your A4 you need to carry some replacement bushings with you and know how to install them.
Good luck!
It never did but the thought was always there.
I decided to install the new cable and the bushings in the old cable were barely worn.
The moral to this story is, I think if a person shifts the car manually a lot (which I never do) it wears out the bushings. It is a poor design.
This is a sports car and you should be able to shift the A4 manually as hard and as often as you want but if you do the bushings, being made out of plastic, will wear out.
As far as I'm concerned my new cable and bushings will last me the rest of my life and I won't have to worry about them.
If you want to manually shift your A4 you need to carry some replacement bushings with you and know how to install them.
Good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,981
Likes: 497
From: Hilton NY
A vender would make a good profit by offering a more robust metal replacement that won't break if bent too much and would better tolerate heat from the exhaust, something like this:https://www.wholesalemarine.com/boat...ol-cables.html.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Black gourmet ?
This has become so common on the C5 that Ecklers now sells the repair bushings!!
I was told to replact the plastic white ends gourmet with black gourmets, explanation is the white heat up, dry out and break while the black do not? If so where do i find the black gourmet?
thank you, ric
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1997-2004.html
Now, you can get thee MUCH cheaper elsewhere but if Ecklers is advertising these you know it is a common issue!
When mine went out I found my replacements on that auction site many have alluded to.......
I would recommend replacing both the front and rear -- be especially careful on the front that you don't mess up the brake interlock cable (this is the cable that makes it to where you have to hold the brake to shift out of park).......
I was told to replact the plastic white ends gourmet with black gourmets, explanation is the white heat up, dry out and break while the black do not? If so where do i find the black gourmet?
thank you, ric
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1997-2004.html
Now, you can get thee MUCH cheaper elsewhere but if Ecklers is advertising these you know it is a common issue!
When mine went out I found my replacements on that auction site many have alluded to.......
I would recommend replacing both the front and rear -- be especially careful on the front that you don't mess up the brake interlock cable (this is the cable that makes it to where you have to hold the brake to shift out of park).......
thank you, ric
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
When I replaced mine, I also did an insulated tunnel plate. The cable sits right over the exhaust.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
But it is broke. So when i replace the cable or just the grommet I would like to try the black grommets. From the readings I have seen on this form the cable is not the issue the end plastic grommets are the issue. That’s why it has been mentioned to use the black grommet because apparently it does not heat up and and become brittle and break. So I’ll ask again for members out there where do you buy these black grommets thank you
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
But it is broke. So when i replace the cable or just the grommet I would like to try the black grommets. From the readings I have seen on this form the cable is not the issue the end plastic grommets are the issue. That’s why it has been mentioned to use the black grommet because apparently it does not heat up and and become brittle and break. So I’ll ask again for members out there where do you buy these black grommets thank you
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 343
From: Long Island New York
But it is broke. So when i replace the cable or just the grommet I would like to try the black grommets. From the readings I have seen on this form the cable is not the issue the end plastic grommets are the issue. That’s why it has been mentioned to use the black grommet because apparently it does not heat up and and become brittle and break. So I’ll ask again for members out there where do you buy these black grommets thank you
I would think that the black/grey that we see out there are part of an aftermarket cable and sometimes, rarely aftermarket products are better.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Tomball, tx
I found these over the weekend when I was helping my neighbor fix his tahoe.
https://www.bushingfix.com/chevrolet...ng-repair-kit/
https://www.bushingfix.com/chevrolet...ng-repair-kit/