TheSamba.com :: View topic - Grr. throttle cable snapped near bell crank. repair/replace?

Thu Feb 05, 2015 10:32 pm

Snapped about 5 inches from the bell crank. Should I compression clamp it on both sides with a stainless splint round stock or replace the cable? Whats the flat rate time on a cable R/R?

Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:13 pm

Just remembered the air cooled type 1 throttle cable repair kits! Gonna hit the parts store at lunch and order a new cable as a back up. Cant believe I forgot about that one. Maybe ill pick up a roller pedal while im there hahaha

Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:33 pm

I would buy a new vanagon throttle cable and not mess around with a repair kit if possible.
I make it a habit of replacing them when I get a car and they are often frayed inside the housing towards the back, I had one that was hanging on by a single strand or 2.
Attach a long piece of wire to the cable at the engine side to help pull the new one back into place. There is a bolt attaching it to a frame rail just in front of the passenger side rear tire and the cable is installed forward and back to the engine from there.
They are pretty easy to replace.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:27 am

buy two :wink: stow one as a spare

simple stuff like that can leave you stranded :roll:

repair kit

Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:29 am

buy two :wink: stow one as a spare

simple stuff like that can leave you stranded :roll:

repair kit ....... really ...... for a throttle cable

Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:45 am

18 bucks for a new cable and about 18 minutes to install :wink:

Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:29 am

the joker wrote: buy two :wink: stow one as a spare

simple stuff like that can leave you stranded :roll:

repair kit ....... really ...... for a throttle cable

Pouring rain and wanting to get out of town for the weekend. Ill replace it next week.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:27 am

Thoughts from the marine side. Do these things break from chafe or from corrosion? If it is corrosion, could you just go SS for lifetime cables?

Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:09 am

I say just replace it. When I go my van I had it inspected and the shop considered the "spliced" throttle cable a safety hazard.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 10:16 am

pouring rain :shock: best time to break down for a $20 fix

years ago had to run the throttle(by hand from the back) while my wife did the driving 30 plus miles

never again always carry a spare 8)

Fri Feb 06, 2015 12:35 pm

One of the first things I did buy was a spare throttle cable. It's an annoying to have one break in the middle of nowhere and not be able to fix it or wait a few days for the nearest parts store to get one.
Too many memories from my '68 bus!

Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:38 pm

the joker wrote: pouring rain :shock: best time to break down for a $20 fix

years ago had to run the throttle(by hand from the back) while my wife did the driving 30 plus miles

never again always carry a spare 8)

I had a Syncro's gas tank pinch the throttle cable when it was filled to the brim.
I rigged up a piece of fishing line, over a broomstick to creat the bend needed to get it up to the cabin, so I could drive it from the NY State Thurway to my shop and fix it right.

The look on the toll collectors face when I pulled the line and rev the engine...priceless :lol:

Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:07 pm

Ordered a new cable, upon further DAYLIGHT investigation the suby conversion requires a spliced end. The cable failed at the splice. I have re engineered the splice and its now bomb proof. Barrel nuts, crimps, extra stainless cable are all included with my new spare cable in case it fails somewhere else. The sheath underneath looks clean and after pulling the front inspection cover under the throttle rod, it looks new. Confident I found the failure, checked the rest of the cable condition and am armed with anything needed down the road. Off on a road trip tomorrow!

Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:49 pm

newfisher wrote: Ordered a new cable, upon further DAYLIGHT investigation the suby conversion requires a spliced end.
I would be interested in seeing a picture of what you are talking about. That doesn't sound like the standard setup that most people use.

Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:57 pm

All sounds like a case of typical Petrolis Neglectus.

A little lubrication goes an awful long way on the belcrank under the floorboards, and the cable itself--one or twice every 100,000 miles or so--