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NCC Forum Home Page -> NCC - General Discussion -> Attn: Guys with early 2000's GMC or Chevy full size trucks-Shifter cable retention issue...
Post Info TOPIC: Attn: Guys with early 2000's GMC or Chevy full size trucks-Shifter cable retention issue...
SShink


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Attn: Guys with early 2000's GMC or Chevy full size trucks-Shifter cable retention issue...
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Since I know a few of you have late 90's/early 2000's GMC or Chevy full size trucks, thought I'd throw this out there.

When towing the enclosed trailer to MN a few weeks ago, I stopped at a gas station in Missouri to fill up (many times for the trip... lol), and pulled up to the pump and went to put the truck into Park, and there was a 'click' under the truck and then the gear shift lever went all the way up and down like it wasn't attached to anything.  So now I have my truck at the pump with a 28' trailer behind me backing up the entire lane behind me at the gas station and it's stuck in Neutral with only my foot on the brake to hold it in place...

I panicked and thought the trans just bought the farm after pulling the trailer, so shut the truck off stuck in Neutral and put on the parking brake hoping it would hold the truck and trailer in place.  I ran out and put a block of wood behind the truck wheels then crawled under it and found the trans shifter cable had popped off the trans linkage connection!  I manually put the truck into Park position on the trans, then reconnected the linkage.  I looked around but couldn't find a retainer clip, or see anything on the linkage that looked there ever was one...  So, I filled up the truck and headed down the road thankful it was something that easy.

Fast forward a few weeks, and when I stopped to put the truck into reverse to back into the driveway, the cable popped off again!  Put it back on and it's been fine since.  So I finally did a search this morning, and found that this is a common problem for this era of GM trucks.  Here's a couple of threads talking about the issue: First Link  Forum Link

I need to get back under the truck and see if the trans linkage plastic bushing in the cable is worn out.  Sounds like it's a bear to replace the cable assembly, so might have to get creative with some zip ties to hold the cable onto the linkage...  dunno

Anyone else have this issue with their GM truck of this era?



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Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

2001 Mustang GT Convertible 

Forum influenced terms: 'Link Paste', 'Stanitized', & 'Revolving garage door...' 

 
bowtie


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I've seen a lot of these over the years. I didn't read the links, but the end of the cable and the little shift lever it connects to run together and over time they will wear, eventually popping off. I've seen quite a few rusty levers too which I'm sure adds to the problem since the rust will be more abrasive.

Lever is part # 15251895, cable is a 2 piece design with instructions and is part # 12477640 (assuming 3/4 ton with 4L60/80E). Need to replace both halves due to a design change I believe.

I haven't heard about any completely losing the cable end, just that they get too sloppy. Could probably zip it to the lever until you need something else to do on the truck.

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Bryan-NW 'burbs
1972 Malibu
Vaguely stock appearing, and the opposite of restored.
1999 std bore 5.7, Vortec heads, Holley Stealth Ram, GM cam
700R4, Viking coilovers, 12 bolt 4.10 posi, and a whole bunch more
SShink


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Thanks Bryan, I was hoping you would chime in and let us know if there is a 'mystery' clip that could be ordered, or not...

I love this truck, but it is starting to have some age/rust issues.  Need to decide if I want to keep up with the frustrating hopefully little things that are going to happen, or bite the bullet on one with less than 100K miles...



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Stan S.-Twin Cities 'South Metro'

1972 Malibu Convertible 2nd time around 

2001 Mustang GT Convertible 

Forum influenced terms: 'Link Paste', 'Stanitized', & 'Revolving garage door...' 

 
Lost in the 60s


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Both Stan's and mine are half ton's, so are the parts different than the one's you listed numbers for ??

I haven't had an issue with my shifter but the intermediary park brake cable snapped and I want to replace it. I use that with the trailer and miss it. The cable is the one that has the adjustment threads and is only about 2 ft long. I would get the connector link too, as that is very rusty.

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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
bowtie


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Should be the same for k1500 and k2500.

ebrake cables are all different depending on std or x-cab, long or short bed.

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Bryan-NW 'burbs
1972 Malibu
Vaguely stock appearing, and the opposite of restored.
1999 std bore 5.7, Vortec heads, Holley Stealth Ram, GM cam
700R4, Viking coilovers, 12 bolt 4.10 posi, and a whole bunch more
Lost in the 60s


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bowtie wrote:

Should be the same for k1500 and k2500.

ebrake cables are all different depending on std or x-cab, long or short bed.

 I got a cable from NAPA today and will install it tomorrow.



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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
Chris S


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Hey Stan, I had that same problem with my truck a few years ago at the boat landing.  Tried to find that "magic clip" too because I had it for sale.  The cable replacement was easy, you should have no problem replacing it.



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Chris S.

Oak Grove

'68 Malibu (His)

'68 442 (Hers)
Lost in the 60s


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Chris S wrote:

Hey Stan, I had that same problem with my truck a few years ago at the boat landing.  Tried to find that "magic clip" too because I had it for sale.  The cable replacement was easy, you should have no problem replacing it.

 Shoot dog, baling wire is cheaper....laughing



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Mitch D.   River Falls, WI

Lifetime member of the "Cars apart Club"

1966 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1970 Chevelle SS 396 M20

1967 Camaro SS/RS 350 M20
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