A6 Shifter Cable
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,592
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Three are few issue. Grommet breaking at the transmission or at the shifter and then there is the actually cable breaking. I had the grommet break at the shifter. That seems to be the most common issue. Many simply buy a complete cable assembly and simply replace it. You cannot get the grommets from Chevrolet dealer, they only have the cable assembly. The grommet can be bought in a package of different size at most major auto parts stores. I forget the number , but google shifter cable repair for C6 and you will find a lot of info.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Three are few issue. Grommet breaking at the transmission or at the shifter and then there is the actually cable breaking. I had the grommet break at the shifter. That seems to be the most common issue. Many simply buy a complete cable assembly and simply replace it. You cannot get the grommets from Chevrolet dealer, they only have the cable assembly. The grommet can be bought in a package of different size at most major auto parts stores. I forget the number , but google shifter cable repair for C6 and you will find a lot of info.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 783
Likes: 224
From: Chilliwack BC Canada
I only have 20K on our 2007 and still have the original cable. I will probably replace it as insurance in the next year or so. The shift cable has plastic ends that are the weak spot and subject to deterioration from heat. If I could make a suggestion that will reduce the possibility of being stranded and needing a tow, always apply your parking brake firmly when parking on a hill and let the car roll into the applied parking brake before putting it into park. If the car is allowed to roll into the applied park brake pawl in the transmission it will bind the mechanism and can require enough force to break the plastic ends when trying to release the park brake pawl.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 361
From: TX
I replaced the grommets on both ends of mine due to all the problems with them reported on here. The nylon grommet gets brittle from heat and age and then cracks and falls apart. You can buy a whole new cable, or just replace the grommets on the ends. The Doorman kit 14041 or 14055 are what you need if you want to replace the grommet. Watch video below at about the 6:10 mark.
Last edited by CSixDude; Apr 24, 2019 at 12:29 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 79
From: Houston, Tx
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
You have no warning. When mine broke I had pulled into a parking space and went to put it in park and felt no resistance . The shifter went up and down free. I had watched the video and had the part and the tools with me and it was about an hours work for me. If you can take the cover off you can pull the cable to get it in gear to drive it home.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 61
Likes: 12
From: Northeastern PA
I just replaced my cable on my 2006 last weekend, I replaced it just because everything I read, plus it's cheaper than a tow truck . I replaced it from underneath and after dropping exhaust and 36 bolts on torque tube cover cable was very easy to replace. Cable was $36 from Dealer,
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Thank you all for your insight on this, I had the car towed to a buddies shop since it’s to hot out here in California for me to bother going under, buddy put it on a lift found the cable was disconnected in about a two minute search, will be ready on Friday thank you all !!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
That sucks man ! First thing that came to mind was that I blew my transmission, so after finding out it’s just my cable I am very relieved !
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
I replaced the grommets on both ends of mine due to all the problems with them reported on here. The nylon grommet gets brittle from heat and age and then cracks and falls apart. You can buy a whole new cable, or just replace the grommets on the ends. The Doorman kit 14041 or 14055 are what you need if you want to replace the grommet. Watch video below at about the 6:10 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=uthxAAHG0Rs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=uthxAAHG0Rs
This past weekend I got stuck due to grommet/bushing failure in the console. Now I want piece of mind and would like to know how difficult it is to the access & replace the connection grommet/bushing at the transmission.
I don't have access to a lift and if the exhaust and other things need to be dropped & disconnected then it will have to go to the dealer.
I'm really pissed at GM. Cheap, inferior Chinese parts everywhere in the C6 makes for one headache after another. Raise the MSRP $1,000 and put long-lasting quality parts in critical areas --- like the shifter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 61
Likes: 12
From: Northeastern PA
It’s so much easier to remove the cable end from the transmission than at the shifter.I didn’t drop the exhaust, I jacked rear up and supported it with ramps to get under it. One problem I did have was finding neutral/ park, after replacing the cable, next time I’ll mark the position, just a pain doing small adjustments, crawling out, crawling in the car, ect.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 53
Likes: 24
From: Tacoma WA
Just replaced my cable
I just did this job on my 12 GS. I disagree that it is an easy job. My bushings were not brittle and were difficult to remove.
here's the important part-
The Dorman bushings don't fit the stud as well as the oem cable. The bushings I removed and damaged, still fit better than the new Dorman ones.
So I went to the dealer and paid $70 for a new oem cable and installed it, which was difficult to install, patients is the key.
But now I can have confidence that im not going to get stranded.
BTW, car has 34k miles.
here's the important part-
The Dorman bushings don't fit the stud as well as the oem cable. The bushings I removed and damaged, still fit better than the new Dorman ones.
So I went to the dealer and paid $70 for a new oem cable and installed it, which was difficult to install, patients is the key.
But now I can have confidence that im not going to get stranded.
BTW, car has 34k miles.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
Yea, I think you are correct. The Dorman bushings get the job done --- but are lose fit and the Dorman 14055 is soft plastic and won't last very long.
I think if you want the job done right, you have to replace the entire cable where the GM bushings are already installed in the cable.
I'm too old to be crawling under my car and dropping the exhaust and torque tube cover.
I guess I'm headed to the dealer to put another Corvette nightmare behind me.
I think if you want the job done right, you have to replace the entire cable where the GM bushings are already installed in the cable.
I'm too old to be crawling under my car and dropping the exhaust and torque tube cover.
I guess I'm headed to the dealer to put another Corvette nightmare behind me.