Broken Lower Shift Bowl - Need Advice

[pid]

The slot where I should connect the shift indicator cable to the lower shift bowl is damaged. The plastic slot (as seen in attached picture) has been broken. The lower shift bowl GM part number is #7836437 but have not been able to locate one anywhere. I'm also not sure I'm up to pulling the whole column apart.

So my question: Will I be able to connect the shift indicator to what I have left by hacking it together, or are there any creative suggestions for what I should do to fix this or make it work?

My truck is apart so I'm not able to easily experiment with solutions. I know I can get a replacement column (ColumnsGalore.com or GMtiltsteeringcolumns.com) but am wondering if I can make this one work.

[Wgesnerjr]

Welcome.
That's a hard one. That area gets a lot of stress from the shift indicator cable. just gluing plastic back in will not hold over time.

you could try riveting a small piece of metal to the collar and attaching the cable to that? the rivets would need to be very shallow though.

That would be my first thought. Replacing that part is an entire column teardown. Anything to save it would be worthwhile.

good luck.

[hatzie]

How much space do you have on the outside?

Could you slip a piece of ABS tube over the broken collar.

[pid]

Thanks for the helpful replies. I'll need to put it back in place to check clearance on the outside.

I think you're right that I'll need to wrap it with a collar or add a metal plate of some sort that I can rivet in place. I'll see what I can find to save the column.

[hatzie]

I'm not sure I'd rivet it in place. Epoxies are quite tenacious if the surface has been prepped properly.

[4x4k30]

Originally Posted by pid

The slot where I should connect the shift indicator cable to the lower shift bowl is damaged. The plastic slot (as seen in attached picture) has been broken. The lower shift bowl GM part number is #7836437 but have not been able to locate one anywhere. I'm also not sure I'm up to pulling the whole column apart.

So my question: Will I be able to connect the shift indicator to what I have left by hacking it together, or are there any creative suggestions for what I should do to fix this or make it work?

My truck is apart so I'm not able to easily experiment with solutions. I know I can get a replacement column (ColumnsGalore.com or GMtiltsteeringcolumns.com) but am wondering if I can make this one work.

I just took the screw out and hooked it back just make sure the screw is out so it will pinch on the bottom plastic piece that's broke i have done to several that way

[pid]

Originally Posted by 4x4k30

I just took the screw out and hooked it back just make sure the screw is out so it will pinch on the bottom plastic piece that's broke i have done to several that way

So you didn't repair the plastic at all? You just reattached the cable to whatever was left?

[4x4k30]

Originally Posted by pid

So you didn't repair the plastic at all? You just reattached the cable to whatever was left?

yes I will try to get a pic of how I done it and post it

[4x4k30]

here are some pics to show you how to make it work. that piece that's broke on your colum you don't need to worry about it. just take the clip on the shift indcator and just push it on the bowl like the clip I am showing just for refence on top and u can adjust it and ifs it not tight enough just put more pressure on it where it feels snug enough to hold in place

[pid]

OK, thanks 4x4k30. I'll do it that way. Thanks for the advice and pictures.

[4x4k30]

here is a better pic of the way mine is.. just make sure your shift indicator has both the of strings on it .also it will be hid by the lower plastic cover when its on.

[fordguy40]

Resurrecting an old thread, but I think I have an alternate solution to this problem.

Mine broke in exactly the same way as the OP and I fixed it with Plastex. This stuff is not an epoxy; it basically rebuilds the plastic. Just scuffed the affected area really well, used the provided "molding bar" to provide a mold for the repair material to conform to, and applied the powder and liquid combination. It sets up within an hour, but with the amount of material used here, I let it sit overnight to make sure it was completely cured. Ended up just lining up the pointer to the correct spot on the shift indicator and drilling a hole for the pinch bolt in the correct spot for added strength, but this stuff is easily strong enough to where I could've reslotted it just like stock, I'm sure. Only downside is I had to pull the bowl from the column, but it gave me the chance to clean and lube everything to buttery smoothness.

[pid]

Thanks fordguy40, that looks like a great solution.

[fordguy40]

You bet...the three or four instances I've used that stuff to repair anything on a car have worked out really well.