Broken gear link cable

[TrevorB]

Lovely day today so took 'Merlot' out for a run but ended up on a low loader
When changing through gears suddenly lost everything, luckily was able to drift into a layby. Gearstick like a broken
arm and completely limp, even with my very limited knowledge knew that it must be link cable. AA confirmed this
and there I was on the back of the low loader. Now I need some help guys.
Looking at some of the previous threads and also seeing what the AA did to identify the problem it appears to be the
crossgate cable has broken away from the eye at the end. I have looked at the cables.pdf posted by Bob Brown to
identify this as the AA showed me the eye and spring clip and the fore/aft cable does not appear to have that?
Bob Brown if you read this, I don't know if you remember you had a look at my cables at Donington last year and I
seem to remember you saying that I had the S2 cables, do you remember?
What do I need to do?
Can I source cables through the forum i.e. Bob Brown?
I won't be able to do the work myself but if I can get the cables then I will then get the work done.
Thanks as always to you experts for help.

[HJ2]

If they are S2, there is also a chance that the crimp popped out! In that case, you can re-crimp them, and you're as good as new for just a couple of pennies.
Of course if you wanted to upgrade to Bob's already: Now would be the time!

I heard Bob is quite busy at the moment, so give him some credit if he does not respond immediately.

[Rice crispy]

Trevor drop him an e-mail as he looks at them more reguarly. He has been doing a lot of work to his car so not sure if he has made anymore.

David

[TrevorB]

Trevor drop him an e-mail as he looks at them more reguarly. He has been doing a lot of work to his car so not sure if he has made anymore.

David

Bob has been in contact via email and new cables should be with me later this week.

Thanks

[HJ2]

For the LEC statistics: It would be nice if you could let us know where your cable has failed and what type of cable it is (wel... was)

[TrevorB]

For the LEC statistics: It would be nice if you could let us know where your cable has failed and what type of cable it is (wel... was)

I will ensure that the broken bits are retained and take photo's and post once all the work has been completed, hopefully next week.

[TrevorB]

[quote="TrevorB"]
Looking at some of the previous threads and also seeing what the AA did to identify the problem it appears to be the
crossgate cable has broken away from the eye at the end. I have looked at the cables.pdf posted by Bob Brown to
identify this as the AA showed me the eye and spring clip and the fore/aft cable does not appear to have that?


Having got the opportunity to look at the problem whilst car in the garage and with a better light on the situation it
appears that it is the fore/aft cable that is the broken one, the lower of the two? I am awaiting replacement
of both from Bob and have spoken to 'Gravesend Transmission' who are happy to pick up and fix.

[TrevorB]

Today I picked up 'Merlot' after having the new (Bob Brown) cables fitted. The work was done by 'Gravesend Transmissions'.
The work was done yesterday and I have today given her a good run and I must say that everything is running very smoothly
and gear change feels a lot smoother. The boss man did say that he felt that the syncro into fifth was a bit 'clonky'. I had
not experienced this prior to the work being done. When I drove it today and my first gear change into fifth it did appear to
have a little 'nick' but went into gear ok. When I changed from 3rd to 5th this didn't happen and also when I doubled clutch
it didn't happen either. Then after a while appeared to disappear. My next drive will see if it happens again.
I have, as requested, posted some photo's of New cables, old cables and also the first two pictures of a part that has been
removed to enable the replacement cables to connect. Can one of you 'gurus' tell me what it is and perhaps why it is not
needed now. It looks like a balance arm and is quite weighty.
Thank you guys for your help and in particular Bob Brown for the speedy delivery of new cables.
I'm a happy bunny just need to give her a wash and polish now to get rid of the greasy marks.

[TrevorB]

Sorry guys you may need to open your page to it's biggest width to get photo's in

[ashm]

a part that has been removed to enable the replacement cables to connect. Can one of you 'gurus' tell me what it is and perhaps why it is not
needed now. It looks like a balance arm and is quite weighty.

This is part of a short shift kit - and if installed with the weak, original cables, probably contributed to the failure. Given that the new cables are much stronger, I'd refit it!
Ad

[HJ2]

I haven't seen this failure before!
But refit Dave's shortshift would be a good idea now indeed
Also i now wonder how they connected the cables (what 'pin' did they use)
because if they improvised here this is prone to failure again.

[TrevorB]

The engineer that fitted new stainless steel cables had all the bits that Bob sent with the cables. He has said that there wasn't anyway that
the short shift conversion could be put back on with the parts that were provided. Has anyone put short shift conversion back on with the
stainless steel cables? If so do you have any instructions on how to do it and I will take car back to engineers and get it put back on.

In the meantime all seems fine and I do not expect any further failures

[cliff]

GST in Newmarket fitted Bob's new cables together with Dave's short shift on my car with no problems. Maybe your guys need the fitting instructions.

[HJ2]

Bob's cables are extremely stiff (and they're supposed to be)
I installed 2 sets, both with Dave's (now bob's) shortshift!

I will fit another set (with Bob's new cables and Dave's 'old' short shift soon, and will make a 'how to' (for the wiki?) for eveybody who has the old shortshifter but wants to upgrade with Bob's perfect gearcables!

What problem do they have with the fitting?

[rip]

Has anyone put short shift conversion back on with the
stainless steel cables?

Yes, Bob has.

[TrevorB]

Just to update - Since my last post in May I have been in email contact with Bob discussing this issue. He has made up some spacers that may
do the trick. I have also spoken to Elan owners in the North Kent Lotus Group who have recommended Maidstone Sports Cars. They are Lotus
specialists and have amazing workshops in the middle of no where but having taken the various bits with Bob's guidance notes and also Dave's short shift fitting guide (thanks Cliff Smyth) they will be doing the work next week. I will keep you posted.

[HJ2]

Oooooooh! ... the suspence!

[TrevorB]

All done, short shift conversion done and back in business. Thanks again to Bob Brown and all the help from other members.

[ktrues1433]

So good to hear that you have found the solution to the broken gear link cables.
I am in Southern California and have a 91 Elan with broken gear link cable. I am interested in purchasing both Fore/Aft cable and Crossgate cable from Bob Brown.
Any assistants would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks. Keith

[JonT]

So good to hear that you have found the solution to the broken gear link cables.
I am in Southern California and have a 91 Elan with broken gear link cable. I am interested in purchasing both Fore/Aft cable and Crossgate cable from Bob Brown.
Any assistants would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks. Keith

Have a look at this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=19070
Bob is the first poster in that thread. Under his name on the left hand side is an "email" icon - use that to email Bob and I'm sure he'll get back to you fairly quickly.