Replaced Auto shifter cable
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
You do have to take the console out but should be able to reach the front grommet without removing the shift boot. Be careful if you do this, though. There is not a lot of play in the shift cable itself and it is fairly easy to get a kink in the linkage. If you do get a kink it is virtually impossible to get out so that the cable will slide freely back and forth.
If you are replacing the rear grommet it is very easy - the linkage is on the right side of the transmission (toward the passenger side). Just be sure that the physical location of the lever on the trans corresponds to the gear your shifter was in when the bushing failed.
The shop rate you were quoted for the replacement of the shifter cable does not seem out of line. There is a lot of time consuming work to do to gain access to the cable for replacement. Nothing technical but you do have to loosen or drop your mid-pipes and drop the under carriage tunnel plate/torque tube center floor pan cover (or whatever the proper name is); 34 bolts to remove and replace if I remember correctly on that. The trick with the string and hanger BRKLYN suggested sounds like a nice work around!
Even though I had the car running with just the replacement grommet, I decided to go ahead with the complete shift linkage replacement. With over 90k miles this was cheap insurance (and our son owns a full service garage with several lifts which makes it easy to work under the car). 😎
If you are replacing the rear grommet it is very easy - the linkage is on the right side of the transmission (toward the passenger side). Just be sure that the physical location of the lever on the trans corresponds to the gear your shifter was in when the bushing failed.
The shop rate you were quoted for the replacement of the shifter cable does not seem out of line. There is a lot of time consuming work to do to gain access to the cable for replacement. Nothing technical but you do have to loosen or drop your mid-pipes and drop the under carriage tunnel plate/torque tube center floor pan cover (or whatever the proper name is); 34 bolts to remove and replace if I remember correctly on that. The trick with the string and hanger BRKLYN suggested sounds like a nice work around!
Even though I had the car running with just the replacement grommet, I decided to go ahead with the complete shift linkage replacement. With over 90k miles this was cheap insurance (and our son owns a full service garage with several lifts which makes it easy to work under the car). 😎
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 756
Likes: 172
From: SC
You do have to take the console out but should be able to reach the front grommet without removing the shift boot. Be careful if you do this, though. There is not a lot of play in the shift cable itself and it is fairly easy to get a kink in the linkage. If you do get a kink it is virtually impossible to get out so that the cable will slide freely back and forth.
If you are replacing the rear grommet it is very easy - the linkage is on the right side of the transmission (toward the passenger side). Just be sure that the physical location of the lever on the trans corresponds to the gear your shifter was in when the bushing failed.
The shop rate you were quoted for the replacement of the shifter cable does not seem out of line. There is a lot of time consuming work to do to gain access to the cable for replacement. Nothing technical but you do have to loosen or drop your mid-pipes and drop the under carriage tunnel plate/torque tube center floor pan cover (or whatever the proper name is); 34 bolts to remove and replace if I remember correctly on that. The trick with the string and hanger BRKLYN suggested sounds like a nice work around!
Even though I had the car running with just the replacement grommet, I decided to go ahead with the complete shift linkage replacement. With over 90k miles this was cheap insurance (and our son owns a full service garage with several lifts which makes it easy to work under the car). 😎
If you are replacing the rear grommet it is very easy - the linkage is on the right side of the transmission (toward the passenger side). Just be sure that the physical location of the lever on the trans corresponds to the gear your shifter was in when the bushing failed.
The shop rate you were quoted for the replacement of the shifter cable does not seem out of line. There is a lot of time consuming work to do to gain access to the cable for replacement. Nothing technical but you do have to loosen or drop your mid-pipes and drop the under carriage tunnel plate/torque tube center floor pan cover (or whatever the proper name is); 34 bolts to remove and replace if I remember correctly on that. The trick with the string and hanger BRKLYN suggested sounds like a nice work around!
Even though I had the car running with just the replacement grommet, I decided to go ahead with the complete shift linkage replacement. With over 90k miles this was cheap insurance (and our son owns a full service garage with several lifts which makes it easy to work under the car). 😎
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Moving this to C5 Tech.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 91
From: Uniontown Ohio
You do have to take the console out but should be able to reach the front grommet without removing the shift boot. Be careful if you do this, though. There is not a lot of play in the shift cable itself and it is fairly easy to get a kink in the linkage. If you do get a kink it is virtually impossible to get out so that the cable will slide freely back and forth.
If you are replacing the rear grommet it is very easy - the linkage is on the right side of the transmission (toward the passenger side). Just be sure that the physical location of the lever on the trans corresponds to the gear your shifter was in when the bushing failed.
The shop rate you were quoted for the replacement of the shifter cable does not seem out of line. There is a lot of time consuming work to do to gain access to the cable for replacement. Nothing technical but you do have to loosen or drop your mid-pipes and drop the under carriage tunnel plate/torque tube center floor pan cover (or whatever the proper name is); 34 bolts to remove and replace if I remember correctly on that. The trick with the string and hanger BRKLYN suggested sounds like a nice work around!
Even though I had the car running with just the replacement grommet, I decided to go ahead with the complete shift linkage replacement. With over 90k miles this was cheap insurance (and our son owns a full service garage with several lifts which makes it easy to work under the car). 😎
If you are replacing the rear grommet it is very easy - the linkage is on the right side of the transmission (toward the passenger side). Just be sure that the physical location of the lever on the trans corresponds to the gear your shifter was in when the bushing failed.
The shop rate you were quoted for the replacement of the shifter cable does not seem out of line. There is a lot of time consuming work to do to gain access to the cable for replacement. Nothing technical but you do have to loosen or drop your mid-pipes and drop the under carriage tunnel plate/torque tube center floor pan cover (or whatever the proper name is); 34 bolts to remove and replace if I remember correctly on that. The trick with the string and hanger BRKLYN suggested sounds like a nice work around!
Even though I had the car running with just the replacement grommet, I decided to go ahead with the complete shift linkage replacement. With over 90k miles this was cheap insurance (and our son owns a full service garage with several lifts which makes it easy to work under the car). 😎
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 1,154
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
I have the console out for shift indicator replacement and tried to replace the front grommet but couldn't pull the shifter up enough to get to it because of the cable going forward to the dash and couldn't see how it was attached. Help please, since it is still apart.
Last edited by Smoken1; Jan 20, 2023 at 03:04 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: NC
I got stuck at the Orthopedic Dr office this morning in my 2002 auto hatchback. Backed out and no more shifting, no start as it was in reverse. My Insurance paid for the Tow to the shop. Long story short, replacing the cable cost $478.00. Does this sound about right done in a shop? Sounds like a lot for a plastic fitting that popped off. Thank you.
