Coyote

Pulled my vette into the driveway (thankfully I'm in the driveway, but prefer the garage) and when I put my car into drive, it started to roll backward. I think it is in a neutral position, and the gear selector moves very freely when the button is pressed down (like there is nothing connected to it). I know there is a plastic connector on the end of the gear selector and also one on the transmission. I guess I could use some help in knowing what to do now.
1. I'd like to get it into the garage which is just like 10 feet ahead but I can barely move it by pushing... Is there a way to manually engage the transmission to get it to go into drive?
2. How can I tell which end is busted? I could probably manage the repair on the inside of the car (gear selector end) myself.
3. I engaged the hand brake, but not sure it will hold that great. I put some bricks behind each tire just in case. Any more sure way to keep it from rolling back?

Thanks!

Beast

First off, neutral is not a bad gear to be stuck in. Get some neighbors to help push it in the garage, then go from there. There is no way to tell which end needs repair. You need a lift, jack stands, or Quickjack to get to the transmission connection. There are videos on YouTube if you need help. Just repair/replace both ends while you’re in there. If it’s in neutral, call a tow truck, get it to a vette shop.

Coyote

I looked at the videos online and it seems like you have to remove a BUNCH of stuff to remove the shift selector, but even then, it might not be the right end. I have a trust worthy shop right down the road from me. I feel like i should get both grommets replaced at the same time. I wonder if they can replace them from the underside without having to tear apart the console. I guess I'll need to find replacement grommets. Is there a newer version that doesn't break over time like the originals?

Markmbaha1

My shift cable broke in the parking lot of a large medical complex. I had to push it myself back into the space I backed out of. I had to have it towed. They could not replace just the grommet the way it broke, they showed me. They replaced the full cable from underneath, no need to do anything inside the vehicle.

oktx

I used these.
https://www.corvettepartscenter.com/...ble-repair-kit

Markmbaha1

you can not akways use those. Mine was damaged deformed at the cable end, the grommet would not come out, so had to replace the full cable.

Coyote

Going to stop by the shop today and talk to them about having her towed in. I am not sure I want to disassemble the console just to find there is a problem other than the grommet on the shifter-end of the cable. Plus..well... She is 21 years old and has all her original fluids (except engine oil changes). So probably a good time to get all the fluids flushed too.

Markmbaha1

They fixed mine 100% from underneath. Good idea on the fluids.

killain

My 2003 Automatic was in a shop last summer and when the owner put it in reverse, the cable snaped, had to drop the exhaust and was a bit of a job to get the old one out and it cost around $75 to buy a new one. Exhaust was the most trouble getting out and back in.

JCMDoug

When I changed my Diff to 3.15 it was wide open so we put in a new cable. I would say if anyone is upgrading their exhaust or diff they should change it

Coyote

Are the new cables designed any better so we don't have to worry about them as much? <crossing fingers>

JCMDoug

I can't say for sure but the stock ones have lasted around 20 years, not bad for a cable in a hot area.
20 years from now it won't be my problem or maybe it could be I am only 54 years young.

Coyote

Oh boy. They can't tow until Wednesday. So I decided to take apart the center console and when I started to remove the shifter, I gently lifted it and with a flash light saw that the shifter-end is still attached to the gear selector mechanism. I guess that means that isn't the issue. I figure the next place to look would be the transaxel mounting point yes? Is there a way to visually inspect it without lifting the car or dropping bits and bobs? And is there any way to fix that part in the driveway without having to be towed?

Coyote

A piece of data. This happened the day after I got new tires put on at Discount Tire. Surely them lifting the car couldn't have caused the mounts or what-have-you to break for the shift cable eh?

Coyote

She is headed to Billy Crawford at "Corvette Everything" in Pinehurst, Tx. They received a lot of solid recommendations from many of my Corvette friends. I found the busted back-end bushing on my garage floor just before they towed her away for her spa-day.

She still looks good on a flat-bed.

I think she is secretly excited to get some TLC while at the Vette shop.

Stupid little piece of yellow, brittle quitter.

Coyote

Thank you very much for chiming in. I would like to say that I've used Discount Tire for all my cars for decades now. I have always been extremely satisfied with every one of my visits.

oktx

No.

Vetteman Jack

Moved to C5 Tech.

BRKLYN

You don’t have to drop any thing. With a buddy and shoe lace you can feed new cable from the top going downward. Most of time you only need grommets replaced. Forman product. I cannot recall p/n 10 or 15 bucks now, was four bucks years ago.