Removing Shifter cable grommet
12-29-2016, 08:06 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Removing Shifter cable grommet
Ok, I got the center console out, shift **** off, and shift mechanism lifted up so I can replace the shifter cable grommet that breaks. Now how do I get the OLD grommet out of the end of the cable? It seems like it is stuck in there.
Last edited by CSixDude; 12-29-2016 at 08:07 PM.
12-29-2016, 10:47 PM
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
Had to use channel locks to pop the new grommet in. It probably would have gone in easier if I had put some silicone spray on it, if I do the one on the rear, I'll lube it up first.
Last edited by CSixDude; 12-29-2016 at 10:47 PM.
12-29-2016, 11:17 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
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cmonkey713 (12-30-2016)
12-30-2016, 05:15 AM
#10
CSixDude,
Glad to see you got time to change it out, like they say an ounce of prevention is worth at least 500 dollars kept in your checkbook... lol
BNB08
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joec (12-30-2016)
12-30-2016, 09:19 AM
#13
Racer
Trick that will help you re-install.
Place a cloth over your AC controls to keep from scratching them with the shifter. Pull the shift cable all the way forward (with emergency brake on or wheels chocked) into Sport. Move the shift lever all the way forward into Park. That puts the cable sticking out the furthest forward and the shift lever all the way to the back. Now you will have close to 2 inch gap behind the shifter to reach in with a pair of long needle nose pliers and snap the ball into the socket without pulling the cable up too far which WILL break it. One it is snapped into place, you can attach the power to the shifter, press the brake and put the Vette in ACC mode and move the shifter into Sport and the entire mechanism will drop into place.
Place a cloth over your AC controls to keep from scratching them with the shifter. Pull the shift cable all the way forward (with emergency brake on or wheels chocked) into Sport. Move the shift lever all the way forward into Park. That puts the cable sticking out the furthest forward and the shift lever all the way to the back. Now you will have close to 2 inch gap behind the shifter to reach in with a pair of long needle nose pliers and snap the ball into the socket without pulling the cable up too far which WILL break it. One it is snapped into place, you can attach the power to the shifter, press the brake and put the Vette in ACC mode and move the shifter into Sport and the entire mechanism will drop into place.
Last edited by AL_Jazz; 12-30-2016 at 09:20 AM.
12-30-2016, 12:32 PM
#14
Drifting
Thread Starter
Ok, same song, second verse. How do I get the one out of the transmission end of the cable? It's buried under the exhaust, and I don't think I can reach it with a drill bit. Is there any way to release the entire yellow plastic section from the end of the cable so I can work on it off the car?
Last edited by CSixDude; 12-30-2016 at 12:33 PM.
12-30-2016, 12:53 PM
#15
Racer
I used a hook pick to dig mine out, and a long handled pry bar against the tunnel wall to pop the new socket back onto the ball
12-30-2016, 03:08 PM
#16
Drifting
Thread Starter
Got it off, good thing I replaced the one on the transmission end too, it was cracked almost all the way around. Was a real chore to get the old one out and the new one pushed in, not much room to work in there, the exhaust is right in the way. I had to break/cut the old one to get it out, but it was already severed in one spot. Pushing the new one in took a significant amount of brute force with a pry bar. I thought someone said the 14055 part numbers go in easy. If that was easy, I'd hate to see what it takes to put the hard ones in.
I'm sure glad that job is done, hope to never have to do it again.
I'm sure glad that job is done, hope to never have to do it again.
Last edited by CSixDude; 12-30-2016 at 03:39 PM.
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Mark H (12-30-2016)
12-30-2016, 04:03 PM
#17
Racer
Got it off, good thing I replaced the one on the transmission end too, it was cracked almost all the way around. Was a real chore to get the old one out and the new one pushed in, not much room to work in there, the exhaust is right in the way. I had to break/cut the old one to get it out, but it was already severed in one spot. Pushing the new one in took a significant amount of brute force with a pry bar. I thought someone said the 14055 part numbers go in easy. If that was easy, I'd hate to see what it takes to put the hard ones in.
I'm sure glad that job is done, hope to never have to do it again.
I'm sure glad that job is done, hope to never have to do it again.
Thanks for the good info in your post!!
12-30-2016, 04:36 PM
#18
Drifting
Thread Starter
No, I wasn't having any problems with the shifter, but I figured it would be better to fix it before it broke on it's own. Seems to me like it's only a matter of time before these grommets will fail.
GM has a real bad history of using cheap plastic formulas in their components that get brittle and crack as they get older. I've seen this same sort of problem in other parts they make, like the fuel pump that cracks the fitting. The just seem to use inferior plastics throughout that don't withstand heat and fail prematurely. I don't believe the problem is because they use plastic parts, but that they use a cheap type of plastics to make their parts from.
GM has a real bad history of using cheap plastic formulas in their components that get brittle and crack as they get older. I've seen this same sort of problem in other parts they make, like the fuel pump that cracks the fitting. The just seem to use inferior plastics throughout that don't withstand heat and fail prematurely. I don't believe the problem is because they use plastic parts, but that they use a cheap type of plastics to make their parts from.
Last edited by CSixDude; 12-30-2016 at 04:37 PM.
12-30-2016, 06:41 PM
#19
Racer
I used the 14041 parts kit and it worked well. Glad you were able to get them replaced before they caused a failure. I had both fail in my '07 Vert and will be premtively replacing the ones in this GS before spring.
