Automatic Shifter Failure
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: eustis FL Saved and blessed; what else matter?
Here are a few tips I can suggest after replacing the grommet on my shifter:
1) I purchased the Dorman "Pedal and Shift Linkage Bushing Kit" (p/n 14041) from Advance Auto for about $7. There are 4 different sized bushings in this kit and I used the one which was 2nd smallest.
2) When working thru the top cavity after the shifter ***'y is removed, it is a very good idea to place a rage down under the end of the shifter linkage to keep from losing anything that may accidently drop down. I dropped a small screw driver and had to use a magnet to retrieve it. If you lose your grommet/bushing down that hole you may never see it again.
3) Before you begin removing what is left of the old bushing or inserting the new one, the job becomes easier if you get under the rear of the car and advance the link on the transmission from "PARK" to "Drive" or "2nd" gear. This moves the shifter end of the linkage (under the console) forward and allows you to pull it more toward the top of the cavity. otherwise, I don't believe I would have been able to install the new bushing or snap the linkage onto the bottom of the shifter's ball.
It is now installed and working correctly. Thanks to everyone who added detailed information to help me with this repair process!
1) I purchased the Dorman "Pedal and Shift Linkage Bushing Kit" (p/n 14041) from Advance Auto for about $7. There are 4 different sized bushings in this kit and I used the one which was 2nd smallest.
2) When working thru the top cavity after the shifter ***'y is removed, it is a very good idea to place a rage down under the end of the shifter linkage to keep from losing anything that may accidently drop down. I dropped a small screw driver and had to use a magnet to retrieve it. If you lose your grommet/bushing down that hole you may never see it again.
3) Before you begin removing what is left of the old bushing or inserting the new one, the job becomes easier if you get under the rear of the car and advance the link on the transmission from "PARK" to "Drive" or "2nd" gear. This moves the shifter end of the linkage (under the console) forward and allows you to pull it more toward the top of the cavity. otherwise, I don't believe I would have been able to install the new bushing or snap the linkage onto the bottom of the shifter's ball.
It is now installed and working correctly. Thanks to everyone who added detailed information to help me with this repair process!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: eustis FL Saved and blessed; what else matter?
I installed the new Dorman bushing into the banjo end of the shift cable and then squeezed it back onto the shifter pin, snug as a bug. But now I notice that there should be a bushing in the transmission end of the shift cable as well. It's missing and it's as sloppy as my 93 Dodge's steering! None of the bushings in the Dorman kit will fit, regradless of how much grindiing and shaving I do. Anyone know of a bushing that will work on the tranny end of the cable?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 13
From: Clearwater Florida
^Isn't it the same bushing? I remember just getting a used bushing from some Firestone or something repair shop for tranny end. It was a really tight fit. I took a knife and put it in the center hole of the bushing and just twisted til it opened the hole a bit.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: eustis FL Saved and blessed; what else matter?
Not the same, and NONE of the bushings in the Dorman kit are even close. I'm getting the oversized pin kit that of the Vendors makes to deal with the problem.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 13
From: Clearwater Florida
mtdoragary..please post what you did to fix to your problem... Too many times I've searched to find an answer and left with the OP never responding to the result 
Last edited by GoBallsDeep!; Sep 20, 2012 at 09:49 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: eustis FL Saved and blessed; what else matter?
What more can I say? I followed the previous posts and replaced the front bushing using the Dorman bushing kit. I had to remove the cenetr section of my Corsa pipes and the belly pan. I'm waiting for the oversized stud kit for the rear from the Florida vendor - Automatic Transmission Factory. It was about thity bucks with shipping.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: eustis FL Saved and blessed; what else matter?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
c5 shifter cable fwd bushing replacement
my cable came off on me to the bushing fell apart and had to trailer the car home. I knew there would be some great info on the forums. The best help you can get. I did buy the dorman kit (actually 3 Kits)I got the shifter apart and the new bushing in the cable then after soomtime thinking about getting under the car and removing the exhaust and plate to attach the cable to the shifter I had another ? why didn't chevy put a acsess panel on the side of the tunel.I know it sounds bad but what if it happens again. I removed the seat and pulled the carpet away from the tunel and covered up the insulation and drilled a 2in. hole in the side of the tunel then modified a small c clamp so I could squeez it back on. Then made a cover for the hole and layed down some dynamate. Took about 2 Hrs most of the time trying to reinvent the wheel.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 31
From: Land O' Lakes/Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
my C6 fell victim to this and I was right in the middle of my road getting reasdy to back into my drive/garage when it happened. My sons helped push it into the garage. I am off to advanced auto.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 31
From: Land O' Lakes/Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 31
From: Land O' Lakes/Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Dammit, so much for saving the couple of hundred dollars. Put the bushing in with ease but the cable is so bent up I need to go ahead and replace the whole thing on Monday. 
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 31
From: Land O' Lakes/Tampa Florida
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
My lesson learned from all of this is to NOT go thru the shifter to fix this. Just get it on a lift, pull the x pipe and belly pan and the job is completed in 2 minutes. It took much longer to put the console back together and gave me more frustration than any other step in this process. Good Luck!!!
Last edited by 360Rocket; Aug 7, 2013 at 05:24 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Replaced shifter bushing from center console
I was able to install the bushing from the center console. I pressed the Dornan bushing (2nd smallest in the kit) onto the shifter, moved it to the furthest aft position and slipped it into the cable cavity--then squeezed them together with channel locks. Thanks for all the good information!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga.
Alright. I replaced the broken bushing that connects the shift control label to the shifter. The shifter feels a bit firmer, but I noticed almost a 45 degree bend in the shift control calble, right before it disappears into the car.
I'm guessing this is not supposed to be bent? So I'll have to replace the shift cable?
I'm guessing this is not supposed to be bent? So I'll have to replace the shift cable?
TIA
Wes
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 4
From: Orange Park, Florida
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACDELCO-OE-SERVICE-12561688-Transmission-Shift-Cable-Auto-Trans-Shifter-Cable-/390668608380?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2000%7CMake%3AChevrolet%7CModel%3ACorvette&hash=item5af5a9e37c&vxp=mtr
EBay is a wonderful thing. $61. Free Shipping
EBay is a wonderful thing. $61. Free Shipping
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga.
ACDelco OE Service 12561688 Transmission Shift Cable Auto Trans Shifter Cable | eBay
EBay is a wonderful thing. $61. Free Shipping
EBay is a wonderful thing. $61. Free Shipping
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
I have the console removed and not sure if you are removing the entire shifter to see where the cable connects or if there is another location.
