My wife was backing her 99 out of the garage, and when she shifted to drive, the linkage seem to "come loose"
I checked it when I returned home, and on the rear linkage, the center that snaps onto the transmission shift ball is "gone" (just a circle with nothing to grab the trans ball.
What do I need to purchase to repair this
Thanks for your help

 

I think a new cable, common problem I hear !!!! (darn women drivers) LOL !!!!

 

I know, right
Holy crap... I have to buy a new cable for just one VERY small piece at the tip??
I know their not cheap, but can only IMAGINE how much of a PITA they are to install. CRAP!!!

 

I not saying for sure that's your issue just that I think it's common ???

 

I had the same thing happen last month. You can buy just the Dorman bushing but I opted to replace the entire cable due to age and there is another bushing at the other end.

There are two versions of the cable depending on what bracket you have near the shifter. I paid about 74 For the cable.

 

1. How hard is it to replace the cable?
2. Where is a good place to look for the Dorman bushing? (another words, what am I asking for)

Thanks for your help guys

 

It took me several hours due to taking my time. You have to drop the cat pipe and tunnel cover. It's not very hard just time consuming. I went on the acdelco website and did a 3 day subscription for the service manual. It gave instructions on the repair procedure plus all the torque specs when I put it back together. I don't have a link to the thread but the procedure is posted on the forum as well.

Before I started I put a little bit of PB Blaster on the cat pipe to exhaust manifold nuts.

I noticed a big difference in how smooth it was to move between the gears after I changed the cable.

I ordered the wrong cable the first time so once I removed the cable I took it to the dealership with me to compare and got the correct cable. That's how I know there are two versions. The service manual even references the removal of the first design cable. :/

I picked mine up at advanced auto. It's multiple bushings and none of them are an exact fit. I am sure Autozone Etc will have it, they are common. Actually the guy knew exactly what I needed as the Camaro guys run into the same problem. It's called a shift linkage bushing.

 

As an update to this for anyone that has the issue;
I purchased the shift linkage bushing from Auto zone ($10 for two tiny plastic pieces) It would not just "snap in" so I filed the luter lip off of the piece so it would go through the trans bushing and let the ball "snap" into it.
Feels like it is on nice and tight. She drove it Friday and Sat and no issues
Thanks guys