Shifter shifting issue Parts help please.

[callwill]

Replaced the front brakes on my 2011 Exped EL XLT. When we were done i went to pull out of the shop and the shift to drive resulted in no movement. put it into neutral than back to drive and then the other forward gears and no movement. Then i felt rought going into neutral but would not go beyond neutral. My brother in law slid under and saw that the shift cable had somehow disconnected from the tranny. I have no picture, just his description of a plastic ball end that snaps into a retainer. What to i need to get to make sure that doesnt happen again? Once he snapped it together all was fine, but something must be worn to the point of needing replacement.

 

[AWAR]

New York, everything rusts that is ferrous. If the ball has deteriorated, the shaft needs to be replaced. The transmission will have to come apart for this repair. The plastic socket is part of the shift cable, I have never seen a replacement end. I have only replaced the entire cable from the transmission to the shifter.

 

[callwill]

@AWAR I did not see it myself and have no picture. I did hear the nice snap when he pushed the ball into whatever retains it. He described the ball as plastic but your description indicates the ball retainer is plastic and on the shift cable. Is the ball metal and on the transmission? I guess i better slide under there myself soon and look at it/picture it so i know what i am dealing with. Need to sort out whats worn and needs to be replaced. Im sure if its the shifter cable i need to open up the console. The shaft with the ball is internal tranny?

 

[AWAR]

You should have a 6R80, let me get some drawings.
The shift cable rarely pops off on its own. We have to pry them loose to remove the transmission.