Console shifter fix.

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Jul 11, 2015
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Hi All,
I’m looking at buying a Cutlass Calais but the shifter handle is broken. How difficult is it to replace / fix?
 

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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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It looks fixable.

For one, you can get a new complete handle repop from many aftermarket places. Sure beats trying to piece together a GM unit. EVERYTHING was sold separately for those things. All that adds up.

But you will also need what they call an "extension", which can be bought aftermarket as well. It screws down into the center detent release rod. A spring on the bottom of the shifter holds all that up. It's probably missing now because there's no way to release the detent.

Even the shifters now are repopped, I think.

Bottom line, don't let that stop you if you want to buy the car. It's very fixable. But I'd use that as a negotiating point. That's at least $100 to fix that unless you go used parts.
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Wait, are you sure it's a Calais?? Calais was pre-85. If that is the picture of the actual shifter you're showing, it sure looks like a 1987 Salon V6. Basing that off the steering wheel, seat pattern, and shifter plate woodgrain pattern.

Here's a good start for the junk you're missing. Assuming you need gray as in the picture.

 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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And once you do fix it. Get a spare handle base part at least. People mishandle them and their poor design allows too much force to twist the handle once in place. Time takes it's toll and it breaks right where this one did. On the inside first. Then the outer skin keeps it together but it's broken. Look for GM p/n 22525558 (gray) which you can pick up for around $30. Doesn't have all the buttons and guts and trim rings, but it's good to have a spare one of these on hand if you have a stock floor shifter to deal with.

Also spring for a new passenger side dummy button if you buy a spare handle. It does nothing, but it's supposed to be glued in place. I'd use some weak glue if it were me because if it ever breaks again, you'll play hell getting that thing out in one piece. And the new handle would look stupid without one. The rest of the components can be readily swapped over.

 
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Jul 11, 2015
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Excellent, thanks for all of the information. I confused my old ’84 Calais with this one. I believe it’s a Salon.
 
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