Shift cable
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 699
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, metro area
Shift cable
My shift cable bushing in my 99 automatic finally gave it up last weekend.
I got it home and will install the new bushings this weekend. I had them already I just hadn’t made the time to change them.
Since the rest of the connector is also plastic, should I plan to do a complete cable replacement in the near future?
Are the bushings the only thing known to fail?
I am due to change the tranny fluid anyway, so I am debating if I should do this since I will have it up.
I got it home and will install the new bushings this weekend. I had them already I just hadn’t made the time to change them.
Since the rest of the connector is also plastic, should I plan to do a complete cable replacement in the near future?
Are the bushings the only thing known to fail?
I am due to change the tranny fluid anyway, so I am debating if I should do this since I will have it up.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 489
From: Denver, NC
That cable is going to be brittle and VERY easy to break the cable housing at the shifter side if you deflect it more than the tiniest bit. I would replace it. I would also consider an insulated tunnel plate.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ermal-abs.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ermal-abs.html
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 54
From: Colorado Springs
Read this thread last month and took mental note of it.
Noticing my factory A4 shifter was feeling a little sloppy, I asked my Chevy dealer to inspect/adjust the shifter cable while they were doing a fluid change on my 89,000 mile 1998 coupe.
I expected the one hour labor charge for the inspect/adjust or replacement of the shifter cable or bushings. Other forum members have stated it takes only one shop hour of labor.
OUCH! The dealer charge for replacement of the Shifter cable --- $ 509.62 plus their shop service/disposal charges and taxes !
Another one of these under the car repairs with a charge like this would tip my decision to purchase an QuickJack set.
Noticing my factory A4 shifter was feeling a little sloppy, I asked my Chevy dealer to inspect/adjust the shifter cable while they were doing a fluid change on my 89,000 mile 1998 coupe.
I expected the one hour labor charge for the inspect/adjust or replacement of the shifter cable or bushings. Other forum members have stated it takes only one shop hour of labor.
OUCH! The dealer charge for replacement of the Shifter cable --- $ 509.62 plus their shop service/disposal charges and taxes !
Another one of these under the car repairs with a charge like this would tip my decision to purchase an QuickJack set.
Last edited by epimetheus-lee; Mar 10, 2022 at 05:44 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 54
From: Colorado Springs
Picked up the car yesterday. The dealership had to order the shifter cable and await delivery. I must admit the installation and adjustment was perfect. The shifter now positively 'clicks' from one precise gear position to the next.
The shifter feel and engagement was like a night and day difference to the old worn cable. As others have said - this is a recommended fix and improvement for a 24 year old A4 automatic.
The shifter feel and engagement was like a night and day difference to the old worn cable. As others have said - this is a recommended fix and improvement for a 24 year old A4 automatic.
