Auto shift cable
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 183
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From: Merrick New York
Auto shift cable
Like to know those of you who had a shift cable problem can remember what the mileage on the car was when the bushing let go, Also can you remember if it was exceptionally cold or hot out at the time of failure.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
...60 degrees F...mileage doesn't matter...it is time....just my .02...
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Kansas
The last oil change (57,000 miles), I had the dealership change the grommet on the transmission since it was up on the rack. The cost was $59.00. Just did it for preventive maintenance, since I plan on another cross country trip this spring.
Last edited by golfnutts; Feb 8, 2020 at 04:05 AM. Reason: added mileage
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Pro
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From: Jennings LA
When I went to just change the rear bushing, I found the holder warped and would not hold the bushing very good. So, off to the shop it went for a cable change. Owner of the Corvette shop says he never changes just the bushings. Now, I have to agree with him. Cours I had just rolled 147,975 miles when mine broke and no record of any thing being done to it.
Last edited by awches; Feb 8, 2020 at 02:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,044
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
When I went to just change the rear bushing, I found the holder warped and would not hold the bushing very good. So, off to the shop it went for a cable change. Owner of the Corvette shop says he never changes just the bushings. Now, I have to agree with him. Cours I had just rolled 147,975 miles when mine broke and no record of any thing being done to it.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
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From: N.Y.
Mine didn't brake, but it started to feel different when I moved the shifter from one gear to another. I decided to not chance it so I replaced the whole cable on my 04 Spec. edition with 26,000 miles. New cable cost $65 from rock auto. If you have a way to raise your car like a quick Jack, it's a simple job. The hardest part is the screws on the heat shield. About 34 of them and they seem to never end! Be sure to route it like the old one or you will melt it the first time you use it. There are you tube vids that show short cuts, but don't do it! You'll brake the new one one way or another. DO IT RIGHT and all will be fine. About an hour or so and $65 and you are good like new. I could never understand why someone would pay $20 or so just for the bushings instead of doing a complete cable for $65. Penny wise and dollar foolish IMO. If you drive a vette and the $45 difference is a big deal, then you own the wrong car. Plastic gets old over time and will fail sooner or later. Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 72
From: Kansas
Mine didn't brake, but it started to feel different when I moved the shifter from one gear to another. I decided to not chance it so I replaced the whole cable on my 04 Spec. edition with 26,000 miles. New cable cost $65 from rock auto. If you have a way to raise your car like a quick Jack, it's a simple job. The hardest part is the screws on the heat shield. About 34 of them and they seem to never end! Be sure to route it like the old one or you will melt it the first time you use it. There are you tube vids that show short cuts, but don't do it! You'll brake the new one one way or another. DO IT RIGHT and all will be fine. About an hour or so and $65 and you are good like new. I could never understand why someone would pay $20 or so just for the bushings instead of doing a complete cable for $65. Penny wise and dollar foolish IMO. If you drive a vette and the $45 difference is a big deal, then you own the wrong car. Plastic gets old over time and will fail sooner or later. Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Pro
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Jennings LA
LOL That's why mine went to the shop to change the cable out. I could do the bushing on the quickjacks but my damage back will not stand the taking the exhaust and cover off. . Maybe, just maybe, if I would of bought a 2 post lift instead of the quickjacks I would of went for it. Glad I was able to change out the shocks and all the wheel bearings and other stuff I've done on the car before the last injury.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,044
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
LOL That's why mine went to the shop to change the cable out. I could do the bushing on the quickjacks but my damage back will not stand the taking the exhaust and cover off. . Maybe, just maybe, if I would of bought a 2 post lift instead of the quickjacks I would of went for it. Glad I was able to change out the shocks and all the wheel bearings and other stuff I've done on the car before the last injury.
...and here, i thought you were just another stubborn old goat...
So how much did it cost you to replace the cable? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Kansas
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
wifey sounds like she knows you well..."DUMB ***"...
Pro
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Jennings LA
He's busy so it's gonna be sometimes this week. Quote was around 250 bucks. Truck is lovin' the attention it gets when the vette is away.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 255
Likes: 85
From: N.Y.
$250! Geez, if we were closer I'd do it for you for $150 all day long and have a fresh pot of coffee for you so you could watch. I know a shop has to make a profit, but $250 for a cable is on the high side. That's dealer pricing!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,044
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
...my guy charged less than half of that for the labor...so i'm guessing that was with the cable included( i brought my own $67 cable)...it took him less than 1 hour to do the job...i guess he is pretty fast plus he has a big lift and power tools and the experience...after adjusting the lift arms underneath (he got the car in the air in 5 mins)...he dropped the 2 pipes in 5 mins and took the tunnel plate off in another 5 mins(there were a lot of bolts lol) then unhooked the cable in 10 mins then put the new cable on in 5 mins then tunnel plate back on in 15 mins(he torqued the bolts) then the pipes back on in 5 mins....talked with me 5 mins...moving fast he actually did it in 55 minutes...so he was one fast little bugger...lol
it was amazing to watch...he is the "Corvette specialist"
I would have still been putting the car up on jacks...
...then who even knows how long it would have taken...Hope it goes well for you
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,044
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
...next time mine breaks i'll drive up to NY and let you do mine...