Hi.. Was just wondering if anyone has posted a fix to the problem of the occasional gear linkage coming undone? I have a 2016 Sonic RS Sedan with only 1850 miles on it and this has already happened to me.. I had to have the car towed back to the dealer to fix it. I'm certainly not a "rough" driver by any means, but like to "get up on it" from time to time.. Now I'm afraid to power shift at all from fear of this happening again.. From what I've read on here, there's just a few "plastic" clips attaching the linkage.. To me that sounds a little unnerving. Anybody have any easy fixes to permanently remedy the problem??
Manual Gear Linkage Fix??
- Thread starter Puzz
- Start date
JesusTheAgnostic
New member
You had it towed? I did too when it happened. A few more hours before my grandpa showed up and I would have figured it out. You just pop them back in, it's not really that much of an issue I usually slam it around and it's only come undone once. I'd say take a look at them and see if the clips are meant to move around or if their meant to just stay in place securing both parts together. If the latter, try super glue?
Natesriv
Lead Foot
Mine's done it 3 times.
If you pull up on the boot cover where it connects to the center console (start at the rear part) you can pull up the boot over the shifter knob (it won't come off though)... You'll then see INTO the center console. The shifter base is surrounded by a greenish foam piece. I had to tear that into pieces and pull it out. Then, with a flashlight, look up into the center console you'll see two metal rods, the left has a yellowish white plastic piece, the right is black. I bet the right side is popped out of its cradle. It sits the same way the yellow one does, so you now have to reach in there and put it it's cradle.
You'll have to move the shifter to 3rd or 1st to pull the linkage back enough to get the black part to its cradle. Position it and push it down.. you'll feel when it gets in right.
Put the torn stuffbing back (useless **** anyways), shifter boot back down and off you go.
That's how I did it.
I do think it's possible to remove the small center console "doors" that are near the firewall, I believe they pop out. Then you can reach in without having to tear foam (I just discovered this yesterday BTW)
No need to tow...
If you pull up on the boot cover where it connects to the center console (start at the rear part) you can pull up the boot over the shifter knob (it won't come off though)... You'll then see INTO the center console. The shifter base is surrounded by a greenish foam piece. I had to tear that into pieces and pull it out. Then, with a flashlight, look up into the center console you'll see two metal rods, the left has a yellowish white plastic piece, the right is black. I bet the right side is popped out of its cradle. It sits the same way the yellow one does, so you now have to reach in there and put it it's cradle.
You'll have to move the shifter to 3rd or 1st to pull the linkage back enough to get the black part to its cradle. Position it and push it down.. you'll feel when it gets in right.
Put the torn stuffbing back (useless **** anyways), shifter boot back down and off you go.
That's how I did it.
I do think it's possible to remove the small center console "doors" that are near the firewall, I believe they pop out. Then you can reach in without having to tear foam (I just discovered this yesterday BTW)
No need to tow...
Natesriv
Lead Foot
They are held in cradles, the cables are INSIDE those metal housing tubes. Super glue would do nothing. I think once they popped out, something on them, a clip or so, broke.
Last edited:
Natesriv
Lead Foot
Read my thread on this... a couple of pics..
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/general-discussion/21514-did-again.html
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/general-discussion/21514-did-again.html
JesusTheAgnostic
New member
Pics? I might have some in my iPod, but check out Natesriv's thread it's all there. If anything else try this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EkbiSGn0CI
that's pretty much a video of how to get to that, don't worry about the foam. We call it weight reduction
It's those two yellow clips you see in the video. They hold the black tube part onto the silver cable. That's why I suggested super glue I didn't really look too much into it once I got back on the road.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EkbiSGn0CI
that's pretty much a video of how to get to that, don't worry about the foam. We call it weight reduction
It's those two yellow clips you see in the video. They hold the black tube part onto the silver cable. That's why I suggested super glue I didn't really look too much into it once I got back on the road.
JesusTheAgnostic
New member
I'd follow whatever Natesriv says though he's always giving helpful advice! Like the time he told me to plug in an unknown connector that apparently was for my brakes
Chevrolet Customer Care
New member
Hello Puzz,
Feel free to send us a private message if you have any questions, or if you'd like assistance the next time you visit your dealership. Our team is always happy to help.
Best,
Cecil J.
Chevrolet Customer Care