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MG MGF Technical - Gear Linkage Cables

Last Tuesday whilst putting the car into reverse the gear lever went all 'wobbly'. The final diagnosis on the car was that both gear linkage cables needed replacing (at a mere £59 ea + VAT) and a few hours labour on top.
The big problem (apart from the cost) is that the garage has been unable to find a Rover dealer with the cables in stock. Does anyone know where I could source some from ?
Mark

Try ringing around the specialists (ie. NON-MGR franchised dealers), eg. Mike Satur, Brown & Gammons, TechSpeed, et.al.
Andy Gilhooley

Mark

mines being done tomorrow, for exactly the same thing
im being charged 455gbp by my local MGR dealer
anybody know if that sounds reasonable??

-matt
matt

£70 for the part, then £385 labour?

That leaves 6.5 hours @ £60 per hour? I'm not sure what the recommended time for this operation is. I know it's a crummy job, but this seems a little steep to me.
Andy Gilhooley

Andy,
they count in the removal of the complete rear subframe to get access to the cables.
DIY is a very difficult job.
But done already twice from BBS regulars.
One was me and the other was IMO Joao from portugal.

:)
http://www.mgfcar.de/gear_select/index.htm
(only some pictures. No instructions)

Brief descriptions are in the archives.

BTW I still get a smile seeing the dealers change both cables, even though cause we know that almost only the lower one breaks.
;)

Dieter
Dieter Koennecke

Valter performed these repairs to his car: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/gearbox_cable.html

Instructions only I'm affraid.
Rob Bell

I've been quoted 3 hrs labour for the job. But this is rather academic as I've not yet got the cables!
The garage subsequently rang some 'F' specialists and still couldn't find any. Are the cables MGF specific ? does the TF use them (maybe with a different part no?)? does any other manufacturer use the same cables?
The only other option is to get them from a breakers (such as Midland MGF)although I could then end up with cables that have done more miles than the one that went which doesn't seem too clever.
Mark



well what a suprise, my dealer has just told me the cables didn't come in today, maybe tomorrow

I've spent roughly 700 pounds on taxi's in the four years I've had my F, I certainly am not going to buy
a ZS180 which I was going to run as well as my F, in fact even though I'm still a die hard british industry and MG fan I am not going to be buying another MG

everything that people mention to go wrong has gone wrong on mine, I'll hold my hands up and say Im certainly no Sunday driver but I'd like to think Im no Dirk either!

Either way Berkshire MG Dealers have all have more than there fair share of cash of me over 3,500k in a year replacing failed parts and labour takes the pi**

not a happy bunny

-matt
M66 MAT
matt

Hey guys - I just remembered, I have two brand new cables in my garage somewhere.
They came attached to a new gear shift mechanism I bought this year.

It was too much hassle to istall them so I just connected the shift to the existing cables.

First man to Bath, with cash can have 'em for £60

email or call 07710 163 068

ps anyone need a standard exhaust, done about 5k miles
John Thomas

Matt,
>>I've spent roughly 700 pounds on taxi's in the four years I've had my F

Why? I have had my F nearly 6 years and have spent precisely £5.50 on transport when the F is in the garage. And that was only because, they were doing me a favour in fitting me in the same day for some cosmetic bits, and didn't have a courtesy car available. I admit, not much has gone wrong with mine (touch wood), and so I wouldn't have spent much on Trains and taxis anyway, but £700! That's more than my 5 year service cost at an MGR dealer.
David Mills

Changing these cables should take about 3 hours max, say between £120-£180 plus vat for labour, find a more reasonable garage if they want to charge more, I know it may be too late for those who have experienced a broken cable but I have come up with a idea that will extend the life of a cable , failure is usually due to the flexing at the gearbox end, hope to have something available pretty soon.Budget costs about 10-15 quid.
Mike.
mike

John, If you've still got the cables can you contact me please... I've sent you an e-mail with my 'phone number on.

Mike, When you've finished your idea to extend the life of the cable I'll be very interested due to the hassle I'm having replacing the broken ones.....

Mark
mark

Ok - cables reserved for Mark T, exhaust for David S.

While I'm on, anyone interested in:

1)a set of lowering knuckles - installed and removed after 3 months to comply with sprint class regs - £50

2)a complete air plenum chamber and filter assembly to butcher/experiment with - £10

3)original 1.8i cloth red fusion seat covers, hardly worn - £10

Just drop me an email

jt
John Thomas

My gear cable broke 2 months ago. Fortunately it happened in Goldthorpe 30mins BEFORE the car was to have 48K service by Mike Satur.
Luckily he had a replacement in stock.
Expect fitting times in the region of 3 hours or more.
Had the slickshift fitted at the same time - a noticable improvement over the 5000k since.
Mike Coward
M777KES
Mike Coward

This thread was discussed between 08/05/2002 and 13/05/2002

MG MGF Technical index

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