Saturn Stick Shift Shifter Cable Bushing Replacement

[@nedrakastor1134]

You make being a "backyard mechanic" so much easier! Thank you for making such clear, easy to understand videos!

[@bonzo1971]

Mine went today at 166,000. I was stuck in 3rd gear, but thankfully the road was flat. I had to make a couple starts in 3rd, but got it home at 45mph. I took the console off and this part was in broken into about 4 pieces. I'm ordering a new bushing today. I think I'll carry a couple zip ties around too...just in case. Long live the Saturn. Great video!!

[@jerryborshard8603]

Great Video, RichPin! Thanks for mentioning my stainless steel bushing option. AWD Motorsports bought one of my Delrin bushings in November, 2011, and pirated my design, ignoring my Cease and Desist letter, and is now also selling on eBay as TorqueSolution1 and BilletCycle. Though not all do, I am grateful to those who pass on the counterfeits and continue to buy from me, SaturnBushingMan, and my family, SaturnBushingAnn and SaturnBushingHennie. Happy shifting! Jerry Borshard

[@sadmoto2362]

Richpin I want to thank you so much for your work that you do on your videos, the step by step instructions are wonderful and you answer almost every question that comes up to that situation. I have never worked on cars before in my life until I saw your videos I now have tools and a jack to do my own repairs (I defitnely take longer then a shop but I get it done) and even a good chunk of your videos are for saturns and even the same make and model. I've been able to save over 1000 dollars In repairs in just the last 6 months i would of never been able to afford and would of been swimming in debt to pay someone to do the fixes but after seeing your videos by giving me the confidence to do the repairs and diagnose myself with your guidance! Thank you again richpin you are a godsend for the knowledge you've shared with millions I hope you enjoy what you do and I hope to see some more saturn videos from you!! :)

[@RichpinTv]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@ЭдуардКольга-р9ж]

This little thing broke off mine ‘99 SC2 and I was able to put my car into the 4th gear before the linkage was completely gone! Made it home though 18 miles of rush hour traffic in Houston, stalled only once! Feel little proud of myself and this car, haha Nice video, gonna be fixing that soon, thanks!

[@lefthandedcat8766]

I am a technician in the automotive industry and have been for years but i have a soft spot for saturn and i always know that googling richpin (insert problem here) will get me a detailed repair guide on my s series cars. you've saved me countless hours of trying to figure out tricks on my own and deciphering terrible gm diagrams. thank you!

[@RichpinTv]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@ronaldschild157]

Thank ya', thank ya', thank ya' (in my best "Gomer Pyle" voice)!! Seriously though, thank you for producing this video; it was a lifesaver. I lost my shifter about 2 miles from home at a Jack-In-The-Box. I became very upset not knowing what the solution could be. That evening, I researched the problem and viewed your excellent video. Long-story-short: I went with the Torque Solution bushing and, as of this writing, have my car back (except for the front passenger seat, which I removed for access and some long-overdue vacuum cleaning). Thank you again. I hope to pay your efforts forward.

[@RichpinTv]

Glad i could help.

[@lisaboone5719]

Thanks! My 16 yr old grandson is now giving it a try. Ours broke off & we were using a ZIP TIE to get us home. Your video is easy to follow. Really appreciate your style

[@ARMY21tango]

Thank you for the informative video! My bushing broke today... 2 hours from home. Thank goodness for a zip tie and 6" of 550 cord to get it together (temporarily) so I can make it back home. I will be replacing this as soon as the one I ordered from saturnbushingman comes in!

[@RichpinTv]

I am glad you got to do it yourself.

[@RichpinTv]

I did not know that, i will buy from you in the future and tell everyone in my video to do the same.I am going to make a note right now to that fact.

[@bpcrayfish]

My little sisters shift cable bushing broke today at 150000. 1997 Saturn SL. Thanks for the well made video. It made fixing it a breeze.

[@julielynnhurst]

This instructional video has saved me close to $500 in parts and labor. I did not know how easy it is to remove the cable bushing. I assumed Firestone would have to replace the whole gear shift and the "permanently" connected cables. Otherwise my Saturn has been wonderful and two of my friends purchased Saturns solely because they were impressed with my Saturn.

[@flemmerc]

thanks for the reply! am (almost) looking forward to taking a look - will report back on friday - crossing my fingers that I'll see a broken bushing (I'm used to working on computers, but have yet to ever attempt repairing anything on my car) :)

[@twig256]

Thank you ...I was wandering about that after I saw you video if I had only know would have done it myself ...Thankyou for all your help ,...your videos are such a great help for me to be able to fix my car ..Thanks

[@mnopx3]

Thanks for saving me big bucks on a simple fix. (96 sc1) You need some kind of tip jar for every one you saved money for. Cheers!!

[@richpin3041]

I do not know how but I am looking into it .

[@mnopx3]

Pick up a PayPal account. Too easy.

[@richpin3041]

john puebla I got one of those.

[@mnopx3]

Send my your name for it and ill send you a few bucks. Least I could do. I'm talking 5 or so because I'm poor but your video was worth it.

[@jasonbrown1765]

Thanks Rich! My bushing just went out recently - fractured in half. I'm not a mechanic AT ALL, so "snaps in just like that" didn't really explain the pain that I would go through... Still, your video helped TREMENDOUSLY! Thanks!

[@yesouisi2500]

...as always: EXCELLENT and GREATLY DETAILED summary of a repair. On this, the only thing I would add would be to highly recommend the C-clamp method of fastening the new bushing. I found the channel locks to be a tricky fit underneath that metal shifter tower. Thanx for your excellent videos on repairs, Richpin!

[@theword2011]

Awesome video, this is the exact model of mine and the broken bushing was precisely the problem! So easy to do with your video. Thank you!!

[@rainsf0rd]

good video. I'll be taking a look at this soon. After I washed the engine bay, I found it incredibly hard to shift. I checked the linkage on the transaxle, both ends were intact, minimal play. I pulled those apart, added a touch of grease (as the metal mating studs were rusted), put it back together. Still hard to get into gear. So, I'll check this bushing next. If it did go, odd timing, right after I wash engine bay, but stranger things have happened.

[@twig256]

Thanks Rich , I replaced my bushing on my 92 sl Saturn ,the existing bushing broke but the one you recommended on line was better than the auto shop wont mentioned names but it had a small ring that covered on to the teeth it was useless it did not hold after three breakdowns,used twisty ties till the one you recommended came in the mail and is working perfectly ...Thanks it was little challenging as it needed male strength but I got it with the Lords help ...:)

[@bramblerosefarm4677]

Your videos are the best! Thank you. As an FYI, I did this repair about a year ago with my 97 SL2. I bought a Dorman repair kit made in China with a cheap plastic bushing and a cheaper metal keeper ring. Charged me over 20 bucks. I used about all of my special mechanic swear words to get it installed (I grew up in a mechanic shop with an ex-GI WWII mechanic who had some delightfully profane sayings...but I digress). The cheap part failed and I need to repair it again. I have ordered a Derlin part and I assume it will go better after watching this video. Thanks again! Brian

[@RichpinTv]

+Bramble Rose Farm The one i installed is still going strong.

[@bramblerosefarm4677]

It went in smoothly and did not have to use any of my special mechanic swear words.

[@ScooBeeDooBeeDoo]

This is a good idea ! replace it before it breaks. Mine just broke, I had to have the car towed home. It was @night in a parking lot, I forgot to carry my toolbox in my trunk that night, so I had no tools to quik fix it to drive home. Anyways, I used the Dorman Help part # 49448 bushing, originally marketed for Toyota wiper levers, at all auto parts stores, carrying help parts. It cost 7.99 at Pep Boys, I got 4 in the package, so now I have 3 spares. > thanks again Rich...for the great video.

[@Gmac1248]

Great video thanks! Gonna be doing this on mine tomorrow 1995 sl2 and it just broke after 210,000 miles.

[@jrwater84]

YOU ARE THE FREAKKIN MAN!!!! You saved me heaps of money. Thank you.

[@xcalibre222]

Hi Rich, my 99 Saturn just stopped shifting (stuck in 2 gear) about 2 blocks from my house so was able to drive it home. Looks like this may be my problem. Sifter is really loose like it's not connected to anything.my mileage is 123,000, Going to order this bushing before I take it apart. Thanks for the very helpful vid on getting the center console off and replacement of bushing. Your vids are Great

[@RichpinTv]

Francisco Gabela,I would replace both cables they are still available new.I do not have a video on replacing them at this time.

[@acrispyhexagon]

Same thing happened to me last week, except it stuck in first (thankfully) and I was able to park it. Console came off fairly easily and I replaced the bushing with one from eBay! :-)

[@RichpinTv]

You should be all set for a long time now.

[@kingkevin88888888]

Around 230 something thousand miles mine decided to break in the middle of a delivery run (I deliver). That was a pain in the *** trying to hold everything together while shifting back home. Mine was hard as plastic and disintegrated. Nice Vid!

[@BabyBubbles0001]

Perfect ''How To'' Video. Thanks, bud!

[@WOLVERINE95899]

Another great video Dude ! Thanks !

[@RichpinTv]

Check at the end of the shift cables were they go on the transmission control levers.They can bind there and a little cleaning and grease would fix that right up.

[@ScooBeeDooBeeDoo]

3rd gear pops into neutral question update; my car is a 1993 Saturn SL2 5 speed, and clutch and fluids are fine. Thank's again.

[@Stewbass1]

Excellent Video! Just what I needed...

[@RichpinTv]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RichpinTv]

This bushing is made from self lubricating Delrin how it is made i do not know.I believe this part and the ebay one are the same.

[@flemmerc]

YES!!! I never thought I'd be so excited to report that the bushing is broken...off to order from Saturnbushingman - thanks to Richpin06a for the video and to everyone who takes the time to share their advice online. So tired of being taken to the cleaners by my Saturn "dealer" who salivates at the prospect of selling me a new car, rather than honestly servicing my perfectly good 2001 SL1!!

[@RichpinTv]

I have not worked on the Aerio so i am not sure.

[@RichpinTv]

Yes,that will tell you if your clutch hydraulics are working ok.

[@RichpinTv]

You can not shift into gears with the engine on or off.Remove the console to see if a shifter cable is out of place.

[@RichpinTv]

O no my friend it is all fixed.I brought out the mig welder,just could not part with it.

[@donholt6543]

Another thank you.

[@4qtllcphil]

thanks - great video

[@RichpinTv]

I have a Adjustable 1480 8 inch C-Clamp that would have worked just fine if i needed it for that job.

[@southerntiersupermoto884]

You are a god among men.

[@RichpinTv]

Check the clutch release arm travel i have a video on this if that checks out ok and it has high millage it could need a clutch.

[@robinsonsauto]

good job like always...

[@RichpinTv]

I would think so.

[@tragichero7746]

Very helpful as always.

[@RichpinTv]

I most cases when the bushing brakes you can not use the shifter.

[@RichpinTv]

If the tool did not break it would have come out a lot easier.

[@saturnfan]

Rich, I love your s-series vids and this one is no different. HOWEVER, you said the bushing hadn't failed but you were going to replace it anyway. Man, judging by how hard it was to pry that cable ball out, I don't think it was going to happen anytime soon. LOL. But thanks for this bushing write up nonetheless.

[@RichpinTv]

Yes i do.I bet when you remove the console you will see the broken bushing.

[@RichpinTv]

Not sure as i have never operated a shifter with low mileage to compare.

[@l3urns1]

thank you very much for the video, my shifter bushing just went out, its a 99 at 168k. can you tell me what other things i should be replacing? again thank you

[@RichpinTv]

You can replace the ends but it is a lot of work i might serious conceder just replacing the whole shift cable.

[@flemmerc]

I replaced it and she's as good as new!! Can you comment on size/type of C-Clamp you recommend? I really had a hell of a time holding everything together while trying to clamp it down and I'm sure if I had more C-Clamp options (I didn't own a C-Clamp before trying to replace the bushing) or advice, it wouldn't have taken me so long (like 30 minutes accompanied by much swearing and cursing) nor been so painful (ask me about the bruises and scratches on my hands and arms) LOL!!! THANKS! :)

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Nice job Rich"👍🏻

[@RichpinTv]

Hopefully my videos can help keep your sc going for a long time to come.

[@shaneerhart6899]

2002 Saturn SC was my first car 15 years ago and is still running and not been to a mechanic, big thanks to you. Your videos are the best

[@olenaerhardt7725]

I watched this film, bcs the bushing on transmission side fell out in our car 2003 Chevy Cavalier. I fixed it just by thick zip tie for a while. Meanwhile Chevy went on that zip tie connection 100 mi, that way we brought it home from another city, where that damage happened. We also have 2001 Saturn SL2, so I decided to check, how everything on Shifter Cable is designed in Saturn, and was pleasantly surprised, that actually Saturn has 2 shifter cables, as far as I understand. I'm curious, what happens if just one of them fails? I hope it is for the extra protection. I definitely replace that cable shortly (on Saturn, it has ~140K). Thank you for this great and useful film.

[@dungang50]

is there any difference in replacing the shift cable bushing on a 2001 sc2?

[@RichpinTv]

That points to clutch plate or disc or hydraulics.

[@RichpinTv]

You might have worn stretched cables or internal transmission problems.

[@RichpinTv]

That is what i was thinking when i did the job it looked like the bushing would last a lot longer.

[@nimbly1693]

I have had 3 Saturns now and I really like them. Anyway, my question is, would a little grease on the ball be okay you think?

[@RichpinTv]

I did not use anything on the shifter and it is still shifting fine that being said i have heard people using Powdered mica.

[@Jason__________]

Great videos can't thank you enough! Would this be a probable cause for difficulty shifting into first and second gear?

[@RichpinTv]

Is it shifting the same with the engine off.

[@RichpinTv]

It is easy to not get the new bushing all the way on if you are not careful.It is possible that this might have been the case.

[@Swimding]

Hi Rich, Another fine production. Swim

[@RichpinTv]

This bushing will usually do the trick not much else is a problem in this area.

[@RichpinTv]

The bushing is the same for 91-02 so there should be no difference.

[@DavidVazquez11717]

Thank you so much for this! Do you have any leads on the other 3 bushings for the other ends of the shift cables? I bought some new shift cables recently and all the bushings were dry rotted.

[@gabelaf1]

Do you have a video on changing the shift cable on these saturns?

[@13ryan886]

Great video as always. I replaced the reverse lamp indicator switch on the transmission a while back but that didn't fix the problem totally. The reverse lamps still don't come on unless I tug at the shifter to get it all the way into reverse. I have this car, 98 sl-1 5 sp, so when seeing what's under the shifter in the vid i was wondering if there's any way to adjust the reverse shift cable mechanism so that it pulls more when I engage reverse. Thanks and take care!

[@daushaus89]

You mean the video on clutch fork travel? I watched that but was sure what I was looking at. I'll pull out my Saturn Chilton and see if it can shed some light.

[@ItsAlwaysRusty]

You are going to miss that old homemade panel remover. You see it so much in your videos. Are you going to make another of go store bought? Take care...

[@RichpinTv]

If you get the right bushing for the car it should fit without any modifications.

[@Simk1d]

It can. More or less. Has to do with force applied on the shifter. Clutch shifting typically relieves strain

[@Nonamguys]

Very well done

[@RichpinTv]

There is no adjustment sounds like there might be a problem with the hydraulics or the clutch plate and disc.

[@RichpinTv]

You need to scan the computer and check the trouble codes stored then you will have a better idea what is wrong.

[@dungang50]

thanks, my mechanic said the manual states 2-3 labor hrs and gave me an estimate of $460.

[@davemdowling]

Why isn't this a safely recall? I replaced mine two years ago, and it came apart again tonight. I found bushing and metal ring under the console,, and even found an extra metal ring from the original one. Popped it all back in place and it's working fine.

[@BicycleCrossroads]

Mine broke about 100K miles (I guess the factory bushing doesn't do well in hot So Cal Weather). We happened to be in Vegas when it broke, so I had to zip-tie it to get it back home. So for those who have a manual trans, it might be a good idea to have a spare bushing in your glove box.

[@daushaus89]

I believe we eliminated this as a possibility. I was reading elsewhere that I might need to lubricate the linkage. I used some Gunk on my engine yesterday and had issues with 2nd and 3rd today in addition to usual issues. Does it make any sense that I got Gunk on the linkage and now it isn't shifting properly? If so, what should I use to lubricate it. BTW - your videos are great!

[@twig256]

Hi Rich ,thanks for this video my bushing on my car went out had it replaced with a new on but it popped off again this time it was not broken my mechanic does not know why could you give me some advice on this please he popped it back on but so nervous about it doing the same thing ..do you think that there could be something else that is causing the new bushing to pop off any advice would be greatly appreciated ps thanks for blower resistor vid.

[@morganix007]

Hey! My car ( Aerio 2004 manual transmission) just broke the cable that is in the driver's side. What it really broke was the plastic pieces that goes inside the piece that attaches to the stick. I think that it would be that black thing inside the white connector in 09:57.

[@gabelaf1]

Where would you get shift cables for a 98 sl1 man trans? I snapped it when I was trying to install the bushing. Would you buy new or go to a junk yard and do you need to change both cables?

[@jeremiaha5484]

Good video.

[@EDUARDO12348]

I wish I would have found this video before I loaded the shift cable and shifter with JB weld !.........ahhhhh

[@GymbalLock]

Is there a reliable jury-rig for this? I ordered a part on Amazon, and the seller mailed to the wrong state. I'm without a car for another week while a new part is ordered from a different seller.

[@larrysherwood5539]

Is there a video to replace the shift linkage. I jumped into my Saturn the other day and the shilf stick was tottaly loose. What is the problem? Thanks Larry S

[@farmboy30117]

This must be a common failure for you to preventively replace it. Do you ever work on anything else but dakotas, neons, and saturns? Great video by the way!

[@doctorbillzable]

I just ordered the same on for my newly acquired SC2' but it didn't come with anything else, no Teflon, or q tip. I used a little grease, and a C clamp, popped it right in. Mine was from Amazon via AWD, for $13.00

[@RichpinTv]

There is no provision for adjusting the cable the only way to fix this problem is to find the worn part and replace it.

[@ScooBeeDooBeeDoo]

Hi, My car pops out of 3rd gear every now and then...not every time I shift into 3rd...just a couple of times while driving. All other gears shift fine. I replaced the bushing you are showing in this video, because it broke 2 months ago..it works fine, I now get all the gears while driving, although it still pops out of 3rd intermittently... is there another cable end fix you know of ? and is it located in the console area of the car? >Thank you for the reply !

[@RichpinTv]

No they do not because the shifter is moved very little compared to the standard shift.

[@jasonvonbargen7712]

i replaced this on my saturn and i put it in reverse and now it wont come back out of reverse any help?

[@lawrencemaxwell6536]

you are wonderful

[@RichpinTv]

Wow, thank you

[@cruzgonzalez1737]

RichPin06a, Thank you for all of your videos! I have maintained my Saturn by following your videos. I am hoping you can help me with my current issue. I am having a problem with my 1996 Saturn SW2. She won't go into Park. I had to put her into Neutral and I was able to remove my key from the ignition. Is it my shifter? My vehicle is an automatic. I would appreciate any advice from you. Thank you.

[@RichpinTv]

I wish i could help but i have not spent enough time on the automatics to give you a definitive answer.