AB cables or clutch, that's the question!

[Monty]

Rodrigo,

when i change my cables they were slightly stiffer than stock, but eased off with use. It does sound like u`rs aren`t adjusted correctly.

Sorry i can`t be off more help

[valimar]

Thanks, Monty but I've been adjusting the cables, like someone said: "ad infinitum" and has it is now, seems to me the best compromise. I have to select the 5th gear firmly, otherwise it pops out to neutral and to select the 4th gear I have to use a bit of strengh (+- 5 kilo pressure)! Since I mounted the cables I drived +- 300 miles! Sunday I go to Spain, for a short holiday and I'll drive more or less 1200 miles! Then, I'll see how the "frog" behaves...
cheers, Rodrigo

[Doc Fizzix]

If the shifting was good before the switch then I suggest that the cables are the cause. I find it had to belive that you could have damaged the gearbox just by switching the cables.

Have your tried the suggestion I gave above?

I suggest you try to re-attach the cales, remove both ends of the cables and then re-attach switching the side of the busshing facing the gear shift lever.

Have your tried this yet? Again, I had trouble with my cables until I switched the side facing the gear shift lever.

[valimar]

No, not yet, thanks! I'm just back from a short holiday and as soon as I find some free time I'll try your suggestion and let you know the results!
Cheers, Rodrigo

[valimar]

Hi Everybody,
Endly I found some time to try what "Doc Fizzix" sugested, that means to change the fixing position of the crossgate cable, by the gearlever mechanism bracket. Only it seems to me not possible because there is only one way to fix it, unless one modifies the abutment. After trying so many things I think I have to check the gearbox ! I can change gears reasonably as long I don't use the 5th speed! If I do then I have almost to stop the car, press the clutch a few times then go to 1st or 2nd gear! Nothing helps so far and I'm getting fed up about this problem! Thanks Guys for all your sugestions, anyway!
Cheers, Rodrigo

[Doc Fizzix]

Hi Everybody,
Endly I found some time to try what "Doc Fizzix" sugested, that means to change the fixing position of the crossgate cable, by the gearlever mechanism bracket. Only it seems to me not possible because there is only one way to fix it, unless one modifies the abutment.

Maybe I did a poor job explaining my problem and my fix

Just from my own experience, the cables work in harmony together, if one cable is twisted or out of "whack" then it will effect the whole operation of the shifter.

Question, when you did my suggestion, did you remove both ends of the fro/aft cable at the same time in order to make sure both ends were "free" before you reattached the cable?

Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing, let me try one more time

Remove both ends of the fro/aft cable (from the shifter fro/aft pin and trany pivot pin end) in order to free it up. On the shifter end, flip the face of the bushing against the shifter fro/aft lever, see if this help relieve any "twist" in the cable (feel the cable from the engine side). Test fit the cable on the trany end pivot pin and see if the cable fits a little beter without any twist or torque in the line. (this made a HUGE difference with my cables)

On the cross-gate side, remove only the trany end of the cable and then working on the shifter end loosen the nut locking the cable with the ball and socket joint (do not remove the ball socket end from the shifter lever). Now, reattach the trany end and make sure there is no "twist" in the cable. This fix helped my side-to-side movement and alowed my shifter to self-centered on it own, before I did this fix my shifter would not "spring" back to center on its own.

I could be sending you down he wrong track but from what you have described it sure sounds like the exact same problem I had the first time I hooked-up my cables. When I struggled to find the problem I discovered the cables were a bit "twisted" and only after repositioning the cables did my problems go away. If you have tried just what I said above then there is no need to listen to my babble any longer, but if you did not do what I described it might be worth one more look

[valimar]

Hi Doc, thanks for your explanation! I didn't get any warning on my e-mail box about your writting and I only red it today! I think you are right. I didn't understand correctly your first sugestion! Now I understood it fully! I'm gonna try it soon and then let you know!
Cheers, rodrigo

[Specky]

I thought this thread would do as it sort of answers some questions:-

A few questions if I may on AB cables

Firstly....

At the gear stick end...Cross gate cable... do you re-fit the washer under the R-clip.... Cause it's chuffing hard to fit

Secondly... The fore and aft movement is lovely,but sideways it's stiff, Would this be due to the above or another reason...(I have nothing connected at the other end, not even the bracket

TTFN

[tigerdog]

Secondly... The fore and aft movement is lovely,but sideways it's stiff, Would this be due to the above or another reason...(I have nothing connected at the other end, not even the bracket

I can't speak to the first question, but Russ/Houdini had just fitted AB cables to Smaug not long before I bought him. I missed shifts for the first three or four weeks because the crossgate was incredibly stiff and difficult to locate. I partially fixed the problem by placing the car in 3rd (as recommended in the shop manual gear-lever adjusting instructions), moving the adjusting nuts to the thread extremes on the tranny end of the crossgate cable, then physically moving the cable through the entire length of the adjustment several times. Reached right down, grabbed the housing and worked it back and forth. This helped the cable find a non-binding position in its run from the shifter. I then tightened the adjusting nut and jam nut with the shifter in the desired position. I also thoroughly lubed the pins where the cable end hits the tranny. That helped a bit; about 40 hours of cumulative driving finished the job. Smaug now shifts like a dream. I hope this helps, Dave!