Shift Lever Link Replacement

NOTE: Do not wipe off the grease that is applied to the portion of the shift lever marked with an asterisk (*) when you disassemble or assemble it because a special grease is used.

Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover (see DRIVER'S DASHBOARD LOWER COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Remove the steering column covers (see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ), and lower the steering column.
Shift the shift lever to R.
Slide the lock tab (A) on the shift cable end holder (B) toward the shift cable socket holder.

Fig 1: Sliding Lock Tab On Shift Cable End Holder Toward Shift Cable Socket Holder
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Grasp the shift cable lock (C) in the middle with angle-jaw needle-nose pliers (D), and remove it from the shift cable end and the shift cable end holder. Do not pry the shift cable lock with a screwdriver, it may damage the shift cable end holder.
Separate the shift cable end (A) from the shift cable end holder (B).

Fig 2: Identifying Shift Cable End And Shift Cable End Holder
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Rotate the socket holder (A) on the shift cable (B) a quarter turn; the tab (C) on the socket holder will be in the opening (D) of the socket holder bracket (E). Then slide the holder to remove the shift cable from the socket holder bracket. Do not remove the shift cable by twisting the shift cable guide (F) and the damper (G).

Fig 3: Removing Shift Cable From Socket Holder Bracket
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the self-locking nut (A) securing the shift lever link (B) and the washer (C), and remove the shift lever link. Do not drop and lose the shift lever link bushing (D).

Fig 4: Identifying Self-Locking Nut Securing Shift Lever Link
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the bushing in a new shift lever link.
Install a new shift lever link with installing the shift lever pin into the shift lever link bushing.
Install the washer and a new self-locking nut.
Place the shift lever in R, then insert a 6.0 mm (0.24 in) pin (A) through the positioning hole (B) on the shift lever link, and into the positioning hole on the shift lever bracket. The shift lever (C) is secured in R.

Fig 5: Inserting Pin Through Positioning Hole On Shift Lever Link
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Rotate the socket holder (A) on the shift cable (B) to place the tab (C) on the holder opposite to the opening (D) in the socket holder bracket (E). Align the holder with the opening (F) in the bracket, then slide the holder into the bracket. Rotate the holder a quarter turn until the holder lock (G) stops at the projection (H) to secure the shift cable. Do not install the shift cable by twisting the shift cable guide (I) and the damper (J).

Fig 6: Installing Shift Cable
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the shift cable end (A) in the shift cable end holder (B). Keep the shift cable end and end holder free of grease.

Fig 7: Identifying Shift Cable End And Shift Cable End Holder
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install a new shift cable lock (A) to secure the shift cable end and the shift cable end holder, then slide the lock tab (B) toward the shift lever link until it stops to lock the joint (C).

Fig 8: Identifying Shift Cable Lock, Lock Tab And Joint
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Remove the 6.0 mm (0.24 in) pin that was installed to hold the shift lever.
Move the shift lever to each position, and verify that the A/T gear position indicator follows the transmission range switch.
Install the steering column covers (see STEERING COLUMN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
Install the driver's dashboard lower cover (see DRIVER'S DASHBOARD LOWER COVER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).