Automatic Shift cable broke again
#1
7th Gear
Thread Starter
Automatic Shift cable broke again
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?
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CorvetteBrent (10-19-2019)
#3
Drifting
Did it break in console or at transmission? I have a permanent solution at transmission. Remove the shift lever from transmission. Grind the back off the stud that connects to shift cable. Punch the stud out of lever. Tap the hole and put in a bolt. Put washers inboard and outboard on shift cable connector in place of the nylon ring thing. secure the cable connector to bolt on shift lever with a Nyalocck nut. Get the nut a little snug but not tight. Wish I had pictures. Hope that made sense. If mine ever breaks in console I will probable devise a similar solution there. Good luck!
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CorvetteBrent (10-19-2019)
#4
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Seems very unusual to have the same problem twice in just 33K miles.
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grinder11 (11-07-2021)
#6
Le Mans Master
Every time I see a thread like this it worries me.
Does it make sense to replace this cable preventatively?
Seeing one break so quickly worries me even more.
Does it make sense to replace this cable preventatively?
Seeing one break so quickly worries me even more.
#7
Drifting
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.!
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#8
Instructor
All right I'm with 91LSMAN in that I have a 2002 auto and all this talk about the cable pieces braking just makes me wonder just how BIG of a problem this is in the whole picture. I know that all you hear about are the problems, not the times that the cable lasts for thousands and thousands of miles and shifts. Curious minds want to know. Thanks!!
#9
Le Mans Master
All right I'm with 91LSMAN in that I have a 2002 auto and all this talk about the cable pieces braking just makes me wonder just how BIG of a problem this is in the whole picture. I know that all you hear about are the problems, not the times that the cable lasts for thousands and thousands of miles and shifts. Curious minds want to know. Thanks!!
#10
Drifting
Where and When
Two key points of failure (the "where") at the shifter and transmission connector. I had the trans end fail about 12 years ago and fixed that by reattaching the connector and holding the snap clip in place with two tie-wraps that held for years. I bought another shift cable about 2 years ago. Knowing full well at some point in time that the cable would fail at either the shifter or trans connector again (the "when"), I recently had the new cable installed. And the cycle starts all over again.
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CorvetteBrent (10-19-2019)
#12
Drifting
Replaced the nylon at the console end on a friend's 2002 a few months ago. I think he has about 110k miles.
#13
Le Mans Master
Two key points of failure (the "where") at the shifter and transmission connector. I had the trans end fail about 12 years ago and fixed that by reattaching the connector and holding the snap clip in place with two tie-wraps that held for years. I bought another shift cable about 2 years ago. Knowing full well at some point in time that the cable would fail at either the shifter or trans connector again (the "when"), I recently had the new cable installed. And the cycle starts all over again.
Last edited by JR-01; 05-30-2017 at 09:51 AM.
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CorvetteBrent (11-12-2020)
#14
Le Mans Master
I think we are seeing more posts like this because of the age of the cars. I just bought a new cable online last night. I'll probably have it replaced preventatively during one of my next oil changes.
#15
My guess is that they will all eventually fail. More a matter of time than miles. Those nylon gromets (or whatever they are called) will deteriorate and the connector at one end or the other will fall off the stud. I had to replace the cable in my 2004 last year at about 90k miles. Would have only had to replace nylon thing except I broke the cable trying to reattach to the shifter.
Replaced the nylon at the console end on a friend's 2002 a few months ago. I think he has about 110k miles.
Replaced the nylon at the console end on a friend's 2002 a few months ago. I think he has about 110k miles.
How much (just an estimate) are parts for this job? How much do you think labor hours at a shop would be?
#16
Drifting
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.
Last edited by UM Rebel; 05-30-2017 at 10:47 AM.
#19
Burning Brakes
Wondering how many removed the torque tube, to install the cable? I used a sneaker lace and fed thru the top. I found this info on Internet or perhaps here. I had no idea the nylon bushings were available. Gonna purchase those bushings, have them on hand, either for myself or a Vette brother.
Last edited by BRKLYN; 05-30-2017 at 11:33 AM.