Automatic Shift cable broke again
 

I have a 2003 50Th convertible with 33,000 miles. I like to shift the car manually from time to time. I have broke the cable a few years ago and it broke again Friday. Anyone have a solution to this problem? Car is stuck in first gear and need to take it in for repair. Is there an aftermarket solution?

Is it the cable or bushing? If it's the bushing, a new one can be snapped in to place.

Did it break in console or at transmission? I have a permanent solution at transmission. Remove the shift lever from transmission. Grind the back off the stud that connects to shift cable. Punch the stud out of lever. Tap the hole and put in a bolt. Put washers inboard and outboard on shift cable connector in place of the nylon ring thing. secure the cable connector to bolt on shift lever with a Nyalocck nut. Get the nut a little snug but not tight. Wish I had pictures. Hope that made sense. If mine ever breaks in console I will probable devise a similar solution there. Good luck! :cheers:

Seems very unusual to have the same problem twice in just 33K miles.

I tend to agree, mine broke at around 90k. I was able to shift it from underneath, to drive it to the dealer, my place,of employment. Replaced cable

Every time I see a thread like this it worries me.

Does it make sense to replace this cable preventatively?

Seeing one break so quickly worries me even more.

The cable itself rarely breaks. It's the stupid nylon things that pop over studs at console end and transmission end. The nylon deteriorates or wears out and the cable comes loose. Most broken cables are a result of trying to get new nylon thing installed and back on stud. The plastic housing at each end of the cable does not bend, it breaks! I speak from experience. The cable is cheap. Replacing it is a PITA.! :ack:

:iagree:

All right I'm with 91LSMAN in that I have a 2002 auto and all this talk about the cable pieces braking just makes me wonder just how BIG of a problem this is in the whole picture. I know that all you hear about are the problems, not the times that the cable lasts for thousands and thousands of miles and shifts. Curious minds want to know. Thanks!!

Very true....mine broke at 137,000 miles. Two flat bed rides later, and a new cable, my baby is like new at 150,000.:thumbs:

Where and When
 

Two key points of failure (the "where") at the shifter and transmission connector. I had the trans end fail about 12 years ago and fixed that by reattaching the connector and holding the snap clip in place with two tie-wraps that held for years. I bought another shift cable about 2 years ago. Knowing full well at some point in time that the cable would fail at either the shifter or trans connector again (the "when"), I recently had the new cable installed. And the cycle starts all over again.:cheers:

Geez...how often does this happen generally with an auto C5? I've never heard of a shift cable breaking in any auto car...ever. :confused2:

My guess is that they will all eventually fail. More a matter of time than miles. Those nylon gromets (or whatever they are called) will deteriorate and the connector at one end or the other will fall off the stud. I had to replace the cable in my 2004 last year at about 90k miles. Would have only had to replace nylon thing except I broke the cable trying to reattach to the shifter.

Replaced the nylon at the console end on a friend's 2002 a few months ago. I think he has about 110k miles.

What about reinforcing an unbroken bushing with tie wraps? If it does break the tie wraps will allow it to still be used. I am going to look it over.

I think we are seeing more posts like this because of the age of the cars. I just bought a new cable online last night. I'll probably have it replaced preventatively during one of my next oil changes. :thumbs:

Interesting information. Thanks!

How much (just an estimate) are parts for this job? How much do you think labor hours at a shop would be?

If it's just the nylon bushings 2 or 3 dollars for parts It's the Dorman 14055 bushing. I don't know what a shop might charge to install them. It would take me about 3 hours. Shop should be able to do it much quicker.
http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemde...9&SEName=14055
A complete new cable is about $60 dollars and it took me 3 days and language you wouldn't want the children to hear to replace that. Again a shop should do it much quicker.

There is rarely a reason to replace the entire cable.:cheers:

Is there a site or number that works?
This says its not for a c5

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...634465a55c.jpg

I got mine from a dealer off the famous auction site, search:

97-03 C5 Genuine GM Corvette Shift Selector Cable Shifter GM Shifter 12561688

for additional info.

Wondering how many removed the torque tube, to install the cable? I used a sneaker lace and fed thru the top. I found this info on Internet or perhaps here. I had no idea the nylon bushings were available. Gonna purchase those bushings, have them on hand, either for myself or a Vette brother.

Found and Ordered Here