TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Mar 25, 2003 4:06 am

Hi, I am new to the board but but have been into VWs for 10 years. Replacing old heater cables, 1 came out fine, the other i can't remove, i pulled the cable out of the the sleeve, but the sleeve is stuck in the heater cable tube. i have tried everything i can think of, it is a southern bus all its life, you northern guys have had this problem i am sure, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris
74 1800cc transporter

Tue Mar 25, 2003 8:49 am

I used compressed air to force WD-40 and oil into the tube and I then let it sit for a couple of weeks. Make sure the WD-40/oil mixture comes out both ends of the tube which indicates the entire tube has oil in it. I didn't plan to wait so long, but I had other things to work on and that's just how it worked out. When I finally removed the drivers side cable it slipped right out and the new one slid right in with no problems. The passenger side put up a fight. I got enough of the cable out that I wrapped the end around a hammer handle and used the handle so I could pull on the cable very hard. I was a little concerned about breaking it off inside the tube which would certainly be a nightmare, but it finally came out. Oddly enough the new cable slid right into the tube with no problem. Add more oil to the tubes while the cables are out. It will keep them from rusting and hopefully make the job easier 20 years from now when you do it all again. Good luck.