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  #1  
Old 10-29-2009, 10:53 AM
ImBroke's Avatar
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Bowden Cable Fix?

Bowden Cable broke on me yesterday, which sucked. Nothing like driving home in third after shifting at 4500 to get there. It will shift into fourth, at about 82, so it was a longer drive home in third doing about 55. Anyway, the cable looks intact, but looks like it pulled out of the adjuster. So, the plan is to heat up the metal collar, and press it back in, hoping it fuses itself back together. Thoughts? 13 months and 7k miles is too short of a life for the cable, IMO. Not only that, but replacing it really sucks.

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  #2  
Old 10-29-2009, 02:01 PM
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Hi Imbroke,

I don't know much about Mercedes specific cables but if by Bowden cable you mean a cable that is much like the ones used on bicycles...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowden_cable

These cables (as you can see in the link) work by applying tension on the outer cable sleeve so all you have to do is find a way of clamping the end of the sleeve (conduit) but make sure the cable moves smoothly - so if you can oil it or spay some white grease down it now would be a good time - then you've fixed the problem.

I don't know about your situation but in most Bowden cable set ups there is often a bit of extra length in the cable and conduit so you may get away with trimming the sleeve (conduit) if you need to.

Good luck!
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  #3  
Old 10-29-2009, 02:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Army View Post
Hi Imbroke,

I don't know much about Mercedes specific cables but if by Bowden cable you mean a cable that is much like the ones used on bicycles...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowden_cable

These cables (as you can see in the link) work by applying tension on the outer cable sleeve so all you have to do is find a way of clamping the end of the sleeve (conduit) but make sure the cable moves smoothly - so if you can oil it or spay some white grease down it now would be a good time - then you've fixed the problem.

I don't know about your situation but in most Bowden cable set ups there is often a bit of extra length in the cable and conduit so you may get away with trimming the sleeve (conduit) if you need to.

Good luck!
He's referring to the little line that connects to the top of the throttle linkages that connects downward into the transmission. It's protected by a conduit line.

I'm sorry imbroke, I don't have any idea how to fix your issue however.
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Old 10-29-2009, 02:28 PM
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Thanks for the clarification okyoureabeast I don't have the experience to know exactly what you both mean - I haven't had to fix that bit yet!

Nevertheless it sounds like a simple cable and sleeve situation so I guess the solution is to make sure that the outer sleeve is securely fixed - that is the way in which these set ups work you adjust them by applying tension to the outer sleeve.
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  #5  
Old 10-29-2009, 02:42 PM
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I know how the bowden cable works, just not sure if anyone thinks it will hold if I heat and try to refuse them together. I'm not opposed to buying a new one and installing, but I'd like to avoid that if possible. I can take a pic when I get home, so I'll let you guys know in a few hours if it worked.
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  #6  
Old 10-29-2009, 02:49 PM
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Sorry I'm not trying to teach you to suck eggs - Usually these cable sleeves have some sort of metal reinforcement that helps with rigidity. If your cable has metal reinforcement I reckon you need to cut back the broken end to expose the metal bits so that you can get a direct connection between the sleeve and your adjuster.
I think expanding (possibly by heat) => then refitting => then re-clamping should work.
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  #7  
Old 10-29-2009, 03:13 PM
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I wonder if either a lowes/home depot or a hobby store that deals with RC cars would have a crimp-on connector for the cable.
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  #8  
Old 10-30-2009, 11:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Army View Post
Sorry I'm not trying to teach you to suck eggs
Nothing personal, and didn't mean to sound like an ass.

Had to do a warranty repair on an Altima that I sold, so couldn't get to it last night. Hopefully tonight.
cannot be fixed that way. The adjuster has to be able to turn on that collar. Oh well, time for a new one.
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Last edited by ImBroke; 10-30-2009 at 06:25 PM.
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  #9  
Old 11-03-2009, 08:26 AM
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It's a shame it didn't work out for you ImBroke - it could have been a good work-a-round solution...

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