Gear cables- no 5th or Reverse

[BigErch]

I'm trying to fit gear cables i got from Stef's Blipi. But I can't get the stick over to 5th and reverse. I've played around with the adjusters but no joy.
I now have detached the cables from the gearbox levers and the gearstick still won't go accross to 5 and rev. I have the whole stick assembly out and the cables running down the tunnel but still not attached and the left and middle selection is possible but not not right. It's like the cable is too short!
any ideas?
cheers Arch

[Rambo]

Archie - maybe a long shot but didn't Stevo stiff Stef's gear cables at Callender all those years ago doing a racing gear change at a junction ? I'm sure he did a temp. fix on them so they may have been shortened in some way??

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Not trying to upset or insult, but do you have the correct cables going to the right task? I am assuming they are Bob B. cables. They are different lengths and won't swap.

If they are AB or stock cables, then do you have the adjustments all the way off? Is it possible they are tangled going through the bulkhead? carefully follow them from the gearbox, behind the engine and into the chassis. Make sure nothing is holding them out of place.

[Rambo]

I'm fairly sure they'll be the stock cables John

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Thanks. I saw your response, so don't have any thoughts. I have some stock cables here so if cable lengths want to be compared, just let me know.

[BigErch]

Thanks. I saw your response, so don't have any thoughts. I have some stock cables here so if cable lengths want to be compared, just let me know.

They are definitely not stock cables as the adjusters are metal not the plastic ones that had broken on my car.
There's no way of mixing the cables, especially at the gearstick side as the one i'm not having trouble with has a ball joint and a 90 deg thread, the other is a ring.
I don't think the cables are twisted either.
I was hoping to drive this car to donington
cheers Arch

[theelanman]

AB cables?......
IIRC I had some fixing implements that came with the kit......
its been a looooong time since I fited them and I cant remember

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Sounds like AB cables. Here is a link to the installation instructions:

http://www.lotuselanm100usa.info/lec/AB ... nstall.pdf

Sorry, this was pieced together after Alan disappeared so I couldn't find all of the pictures.

If I can help, I have a spare set of those too so can provide measurements and pictures.

They originally came with a pair of small wrenches. You will have to find some cheap wrenches and cut them down unless someone nearby still has theirs.

[BigErch]

I've just checked the extension of the stock cable and it's 45mm. Blipi's cable (not sure what type it is yet) only has an extension of 30mm!
DB did a short shift kit. Did it involve different cables?
Even so it would require the lever on the gearbox side to be shorter to acount for the sorter throw?

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Which cable? The one with the ball joint and a 90 deg thread or the other one? By extension, do you mean you pulled the cable fully one way and measured the visible inner part?

I pushed each cable fully in and took a measurement then pulled them out fully and took a new measurement. The total stroke was 1 5/8" or 41.2751mm

As best I recall, the short shift kit used stock cable lengths.

[muley]

They are definitely not stock cables as the adjusters are metal not the plastic ones that had broken on my car.

It's like the cable is too short!

cheers Arch

This is a stupid question, but I ask it anyway ;

Did you change the bracket? You will have to if the cables have a metal end.. (S2, AB or Bob's)

Jim

[BigErch]

Which cable? The one with the ball joint and a 90 deg thread or the other one? By extension, do you mean you pulled the cable fully one way and measured the visible inner part?
I pushed each cable fully in and took a measurement then pulled them out fully and took a new measurement. The total stroke was 1 5/8" or 41.2751mm.

It's the cable without the ball joint I'm having a problem with. I measured the stroke of the stock cable at approx 45mm which is similiar to your stock cable.
The blipi cable only has a stroke of approx 30mm which is considerably shorter. any ideas?
cheers Arch

ps. Yes, the new bracket is fitted

[muley]

Well, I said it was a stupid question..

Jim

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Which cable? The one with the ball joint and a 90 deg thread or the other one? By extension, do you mean you pulled the cable fully one way and measured the visible inner part?
I pushed each cable fully in and took a measurement then pulled them out fully and took a new measurement. The total stroke was 1 5/8" or 41.2751mm.

It's the cable without the ball joint I'm having a problem with. I measured the stroke of the stock cable at approx 45mm which is similiar to your stock cable.
The blipi cable only has a stroke of approx 30mm which is considerably shorter. any ideas?
cheers Arch

ps. Yes, the new bracket is fitted

Arch: That was an AB cable measurement, not stock/plastic type. BOTH cables have the same total movement.

Maybe you need to pull the cable out and look at both ends (under the boots). Make sure the pieces all slide and that the thin tubes didn't get bent in shipping.

[BigErch]

I pulled out the offending cable and worked it back and forward. I noticed that the gators were split in a couple of places so squirted some wd40 in.
The cable does not move freely like the broken stock cable but I manage to free it up enough to get a full stroke.
I fitted the cable again and I can get all the gears now. Unfortunately getting over to 5th and reverse is stiff but manageable.
I'm hoping it's gonna free-up more on use. Hopefully the cable doesn't snap on the Donington trip.
I don't know how long Blipi has been off the road but the cable has probably been sitting a while.
Thanks for the help and support. cheers Arch

[Fredjohn]

Good work: another Elan will be at Donington!
Blipi's accident was on 21st Nov so nearly 5 months off road, about half in Stefs garage.

See you at weekend.

[Rambo]

Good luck Archie. I hope that cable doesn't snap on the M6 as you're shifting from 4th to 5th at 100 mph

[Rambo]

I think you should get your money back under the Sale of Goods Act 1979

[BigErch]

I think you should get your money back under the Sale of Goods Act 1979

I'm glad you're not going to donny, u love stirring things

I’ve got the car all back together again and it’s fine going up the gears. It’s still pretty stiff from 5 to 4 or getting out of reverse, but i can live with it for now. when the gearbox is in neutral the stick bounces back to the middle ok if it’s pushed to the left but it sticks if pushed to the right.
I’m getting good at putting them in and taking them out now so I’ll have a look again after Donny.
cheers Arch

[dapinky]

Archie, PM sent