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MG MGF Technical - change gear cable without lowering subframe

OK... It had to happen eventually...
lower gear cable has snapped in the traditional place.
Been working on it today and have released the cable from bell crank ,stripped out the interior and loosened the lower nuts holding the closing plate in place. the other nuts are foiling me at present (grrr) Im trying to follow valters instructions...

"You don't need to remove the plate. With a screwdriver operating from bottom to top, my friend dismantled the grommets and the cable was then loose. Now we just pulled it off from that point."

the grommets are extremely perished (did the cable really last 10 years?) If i don't need to remove the plate why am i piddling around with these nuts?

If i can dig out the perished rubber is the hole big enough to get the cable through without removing the plate? - perhaps then seal up afterwards with some silicone sealant...

I'm sure lots of people here have succeeded in this task... anyone have any tips?

oh, local Xpart says cable not available... MGOC say hasn't been available for a year - Presumably Mike S has them in stock.

thanks for any help,
James



J LEWIS

Valter's instructions might prove useful, as he achieved what you want to attempt :o)

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/common_problems/gearbox_cable.html
Rob Bell

Rob, as J Lewis quotes from valters instructions I suspect he already has seen the site and is hoping for specific pointers!
Leigh Reid

I replaced both cables without lowering the subfram. The nuts hidden by the subframe are difficult. I used both a flexible screwdriver (12 inch flexible shaft) from B&Q and a small spanner and that was enough for the 6 bolts. It took me alot of time and patience but did it. You will need access from bottom of car and via engine hatch (makes job much easier).

I kept just one bolt loosened and in place and easier to relocate the plate afterwards by swinging back upwards into place.

I did it all on my own so it is possible.
Julian

Cheers Julian, off to buy a 12inch flexidriver. Thanks for the link Rob,it had already proved useful I was just looking for a bit more detail about the mechanics of the grommet. I guess once ive got a new cable (or the old one out) things will make more sense,
J
J LEWIS

I have replaced the gear selector cable, I had to lower the subframe which isn't to big a job with two pairs of axel stands.

However when yo remove the plate with the gommets you will find that the rubber grommets slide out from slots and not holes as you might expect.

If i remeber correctly the plate also has slots and not holes in ot so two of the bolts can be just loose and not completely removed. This also help when replacing the plate.

Hope this helps, and that you achieve the replacement of the cable without lowering the subframe.

Neil
Neil Jenkinson

Thanks Neil, awaiting cable at the mo... had to go salvage as only tf conversion kits available & i wont be keeping the car long enough for that investment to be worthwhile... (looking at a '99 1.8i tomorrow hopefully)
got a bit misled by valters instructions, particularly the bit about not needing to remove the plate once grommets were dismantled. i found the gromets could be removed by pulling hard on the rubber tab with pliers (eg not sliding them out)however, even with pliers and soap lubrication they refuse to slide along the handbrake cables, turned inside out trying. Then without removing the plate (just loosened... removed all bolts bar the last bottom one which will only undo as far as the subframe) i tried pulling through the cable which went fine until i hit the fitting at the end. clank and 1 jammed cable. I presume what valter meant is that there is no need to entirely remove the plate from the car, you need to loosen it and move it far enough up to be able to slide the cable out of the slot (which is quite a long way) AND THEN pull it through. The wedged grommets, stiff cables and proximity of subframe are preventing this at present though thanks to julian i have faith that it can be done...
I can see that dropping the subframe would make it a bit easier (must still be an a*se of a job though) but I only have 1 set of axle stands and i get paranoid enough under the car as it is without worrying about a loose engine flopping onto my head!!!

N.B. Dieter... on your webiste what did you mean when you said "someone working from above would be useful here?"

thanks all,
James

J LEWIS

This thread was discussed between 03/08/2007 and 17/08/2007

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