Help! After New NSBU, Shift Cable Doesn't Line Up

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
Just installed a new internal filter, pan gasket (leaked) and NSBU switch and I can't get the shift cable to line up. The NSBU seems to be aligned correctly when I turn the selector shaft manually, but I can't get the shift cable on. Example - if the shift lever on the column is in P, the selector shaft would have to be in D to get it put back together. WTH did I do wrong?
 

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
The one that has a side that says "this side toward transmission"? I have that correct. Let me see if I can upload a picture from my phone.
 

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
Took the NSBU and the pan back off. Everything seems legit here with my layman' glance.


That's in park and you can see the shift cable doesn't line up with the shaft.
 

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
Can someone please measure the length of the shift cable with the truck in park? From the crossmember bracket to the end of the hinge, like the photo below. I have about 6-1/4"
 

07LBZWYO

New member
Aug 6, 2014
5
0
1
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1446223138.280393.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Attachments

  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1446223138.280393.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1446223138.280393.jpg
    75.6 KB · Views: 42

07LBZWYO

New member
Aug 6, 2014
5
0
1
Look at the position of your detent roller in this picture compared to yours


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
So I'm told that the shift cable is adjustable. Is that correct, Mike? I found some instructions out of what seems like a service manual. Will this work?

Shift Cable Adjustment

Position the steering column transmission shift lever to PARK (P).
Apply the parking brake.

Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Position the transmission range select lever to PARK (P). Rotate the range select lever clockwise until it reaches the full mechanical stop position.

Slide the black retaining clip forward on the range select lever cable end. This will allow the white lock button to be pushed out.

Push the white lock button on the range select lever cable end out. This will free the metal core adjust body which is inside the cable end. Do not push the white lock button completely out.

Inspect the metal core adjust body on the cable end for dirt or debris that may restrict the travel. Remove any debris by washing the cable end, the metal core adjust body, and the white lock button with soap and water. If the travel of the metal core adjust body remains restricted after the cleaning, replace the cable assembly. Refer to Shift Cable Replacement .

Lower the vehicle.

Ensure that the parking brake is applied.

Turn ON the ignition switch.

Move the transmission shift lever from PARK (P) to 1 and back to PARK (P) ten times.

Place the steering column transmission shift lever in the Park (P) position.

Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Position the transmission range select lever to PARK (P). Rotate the range select lever clockwise until it reaches the mechanical stop position.

Push in the white lock button in order to secure the core adjuster body inside the range select lever cable end.

Slide the black retainer clip rearward over the cable end until it covers the white lock button. Lock the clip over the cable end.

Lower the vehicle.

Turn ON the ignition switch.

Ensure that all the transmission shift light positions (P, R, N, D, 3, 2, 1) engaged and illuminate. If you cannot perform this task, repeat the cable adjustment procedures.

Ensure that the engine starts in PARK (P) and in NEUTRAL (N) positions only. If the engine does not start in PARK (P) and in NEUTRAL (N), the Park/Neutral Position Switch may need adjustment. Refer to Park/Neutral

Position Switch Adjustment .

Turn the ignition switch to LOCK.

Ensure that the ignition key can only be removed with the transmission shift lever in the PARK (P) position.

Start the engine and check the vehicle transmission shifting. The range select lever cable is properly adjusted if the steering column shift light positions are the same as the transmission engagements.
 

Mike L.

Got Sheep?
Staff member
Vendor/Sponsor
Aug 12, 2006
15,681
232
63
Fullerton CA
How in the hell did your cable get out of adjustment? Who's idea was the silicone on the linkage seal. That never works.
 

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
How in the hell did your cable get out of adjustment? Who's idea was the silicone on the linkage seal. That never works.

That's what I'm sayin'! How the hell did that happen unless I magically moved the transmission forward an inch while removing the pan for an internal filter.

Here's the somewhat embarrassing story on the shift shaft seal. It leaked, not uncommon. I saw some instruction on an easy way to remove the bad seal, with a drill and small drill bit. Well, I drilled too far and made about an 1/8" deep drill mark in the tranny housing under the seal. Since then no seal has worked. I've replaced that seal 3 times now. They all leak, hence the bad NSBU from being continually soaked with fluid. The silicone is a last ditch effort to stop or slow the continuous drip under my truck. Not much else I can do, right? There's a Timkin seal in there also. This is another reason why I'm so confused as to how my shift cable doesn't line up. I've removed it 4-5 times over the last 2 years and never had a problem before...other than a leaky seal.
 

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
Mike, does that selector shaft look to be clocked correctly when in Park, or did I twist the shaft a few degrees when removing the nut?

I'm going to pull apart the column to get a look at the cable connecting to the shift lever too.
 

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
Under column and under dash part of the cable look normal.

I realized the column shift lever doesn't move freely though, even with the cable unhooked from the tranny. I can only put the lever in P, R and N I think. Maybe the cable is bad or maybe I twisted the selector shaft inside the detent plate (if that's even possible).

Any suggestions?
 

TwinStick

New member
Dec 10, 2013
52
0
0
Vancouver, WA
If I compare this google image of an LB7 in park:


To this image of my shift cable in Park, I can tell by the stretch of the rubber boot, mine is shorter. Looks like I need a new shift cable.