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EVfun Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5475 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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I used a "ground split bolt" easily found with a google search and readily available at your local hardware store. The clutch cable was cut and both ends passed through the split. I can adjust the length and then tighten it down. I installes a second one about an inch behind the first for extra security. It worked for 10 years, the cable doesn't see extra stress because it isn't bent or folded over. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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MrGoodtunes Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2012 Posts: 852 Location: South Florida
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 1:15 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Measure your wheel base @Markdam, axle-to-axle (center of front wheel to center of rear, with steering wheel straight ahead center'd). It's probably 80 inches. If so, you can go with the standard dune buggy cable length, which is ~14.5 inches shorter than stock VW cable. |
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markdam Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018 Posts: 46 Location: CA
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Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 7:18 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Is there a way to measure it with the pedal assembly already removed and sent off to be rebuilt all I have is the hole in the tunnel |
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Q-Dog Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2010 Posts: 8699 Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 5:29 am Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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You have to measure. VW used different lengths of cable over the years. Plus, some buggies don't get shortened the same amount. Add that together and you need to measure to be sure. _________________ Brian
'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle |
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markdam Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018 Posts: 46 Location: CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 6:43 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Awesome I guess I asking if they're all not more or less the same on a shorten buggy chassis. Or do I have to actually measure mine |
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rodjr Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2015 Posts: 223 Location: stanwood washington
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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I shortened my 1972 beetle chassis 14 5/8", I purchased a 1972 beetle clutch cable and sent it to push/pull with a note that said "shorten 14 5/8" over all, and make one more cable to match".
They returned them and they fit absolutely perfect. Under $40 for both plus shipping. |
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mr_bill Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2006 Posts: 1008 Location: City of Orange, CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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http://push-pull.com/
will make "custom-length" to YOUR specs....have clutch & throttle cables from Push-Pull on my "OldManx" & my "tunnell-buggy" resto-mod Quite reasonably priced & QUICK tour around
sent them THIS pic.........less than a week (2) cables showed-up 2 my door (one is a "spare")
I ALWAYS prefer a "stock" type set-up.. _________________ see ya' on the trail........
"Mr Bill"
Dos Perros Motorsports
Orange, CA
1972 Class 11x/Stock Bug
'60's era "vintage" Tunnell-Buggy
"...no one here....get's out ALIVE...."
Motor = electric
Engine = internal combustion
www.facebook.com/groups/DosPerrosMotorsports
www.alrchapter132.org
www.DAV.org |
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joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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joescoolcustoms wrote: |
I am at 50,000 + miles on this set up. Same cable, same clamps, same wing nut. 2 different transaxle configurations. I do silver solder the ends of the cable so they do not frey and the silver gives the clamps something to "bite" into and not slip. This same set up will get driven across the US again and race the April NORRA 1000 this year.
I still carry a spare cable everywhere I go.
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Update. Cable now has over 62,000 miles and the NORRA race on it. Do have to state that I use the Classic Bug Parts front Big Foot extender with he bushed roller tip to help save the front stock loop.
_________________ Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race
Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.
Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone |
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markdam Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018 Posts: 46 Location: CA
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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did you happen to measure the new shortened cable length? did you tell push pull how much to cut?
rodjr wrote: |
I just sent a factory clutch cable to California Push Pull, they shortened it proper with a new hook end. The end is a tiny bit different and required that i sand about 1/8" off the end (which has plenty of meat on it), took about 10 seconds with a disc sander.
They also made me a spare from scratch (cost a fraction more), but it's cheaper to just have them shorten a new cable.
Other than the tiny trim job i did to the end, it is absolutely a new cable in every way, exactly the right length, strong as the original and they charged me a whopping $20.00 plus shipping.
I can't imagine screwing around with clamps and loops or searching for ends when $20 will get you a perfect new custom cable, while you work on something else.
Now that i have seen what a nice job they do, my emergency brake cables are going to them as well.
http://push-pull.com/ |
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rodjr Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2015 Posts: 223 Location: stanwood washington
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 7:10 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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I just sent a factory clutch cable to California Push Pull, they shortened it proper with a new hook end. The end is a tiny bit different and required that i sand about 1/8" off the end (which has plenty of meat on it), took about 10 seconds with a disc sander.
They also made me a spare from scratch (cost a fraction more), but it's cheaper to just have them shorten a new cable.
Other than the tiny trim job i did to the end, it is absolutely a new cable in every way, exactly the right length, strong as the original and they charged me a whopping $20.00 plus shipping.
I can't imagine screwing around with clamps and loops or searching for ends when $20 will get you a perfect new custom cable, while you work on something else.
Now that i have seen what a nice job they do, my emergency brake cables are going to them as well.
http://push-pull.com/ |
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joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
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Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:57 am Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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I am at 50,000 + miles on this set up. Same cable, same clamps, same wing nut. 2 different transaxle configurations. I do silver solder the ends of the cable so they do not frey and the silver gives the clamps something to "bite" into and not slip. This same set up will get driven across the US again and race the April NORRA 1000 this year.
I still carry a spare cable everywhere I go.
_________________ Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race
Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.
Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone |
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cbeck Samba Member
Joined: January 14, 2014 Posts: 2495 Location: high ridge, mo
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Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 4:32 am Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Looks like somebody raided the bins on my company truck. Here is another tip, never saddle a dead horse, er cable. The saddle should ride on the working side of the cable and the u bolt should be on the other side. The u bolt will crush, deform, and slightly unravel the cable when tightened. You don't want that to happen on the working side of the cable. _________________ My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779 |
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veeweeman Samba Member
Joined: December 20, 2009 Posts: 940 Location: New Port Richey, FL
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Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Very cool idea. ..I'm surprised that the VW industry hasn't thought of this yet...very clean finished look. ..when they do...expect to pay like $20 for it
Thanks for the tip. |
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MrGoodtunes Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2012 Posts: 852 Location: South Florida
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Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 11:58 am Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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MrGoodtunes wrote: |
tgodber wrote: |
...I used the shortener that bends the cable over and a nut tightens up against it. That broke in 3 months... |
Me too. Mine broke while in the parking lot of Lowe's home improvement store. So I had a store full of things like threaded rod, long nuts, and good strong but also flexible garage door opener cable. Did the fix right there in the parking lot. That was 1999 and this rig is still holding today.
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Well, that rig finally broke. And again, it happen'd in a parking lot where I fix'd it with an upgraded rig. Not as elegant as what @saw2 came up with (earlier in this thread), but probably will last. Used an eye bolt this time, along with the smooth end loop guide that came with the little cable clamps, completely doing away with all parts of the old cable shortening kit:
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JiI Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2006 Posts: 1845 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Hey guys, here are the parts at HF I saw today.
Jeff
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Goshen Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2012 Posts: 833 Location: Miami. FL & Cartagena
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Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Bermoco wrote: |
All are great ideas and posts. Here is another: West Marine supply sells stuff to make cables and also lets you crimp your own. I went to West Marine boating supply and took a VW clutch cable , cut it 14 1/2 inches shorter at the end that hooks on to the pedal assembly and used the thimbles for cables they supply and swaged the cable around the thimble with the crimp they sell. Seems to work OK for over a year now. I used the West Marine route because I found the common cable shortening devices had too much flex and had too much play which did not release clutch fully. I like how it looks stock.
I carry a spare stock cable and will use Dales technique if mine breaks.
The pictures you see of buggies without Bowden tube probably have solid trans/motor mounts.
Bart |
Post photos so we can see what you are talking about _________________ My '64 Pan Meyers Manx Dune Buggy "Lady in Red"
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=659260
My '67 Split Window Bus project :
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=634144
My '67 Maserati Blue Oceano Bug Build:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=541870 |
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Bermoco Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2014 Posts: 75 Location: United States
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Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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All are great ideas and posts. Here is another: West Marine supply sells stuff to make cables and also lets you crimp your own. I went to West Marine boating supply and took a VW clutch cable , cut it 14 1/2 inches shorter at the end that hooks on to the pedal assembly and used the thimbles for cables they supply and swaged the cable around the thimble with the crimp they sell. Seems to work OK for over a year now. I used the West Marine route because I found the common cable shortening devices had too much flex and had too much play which did not release clutch fully. I like how it looks stock.
I carry a spare stock cable and will use Dales technique if mine breaks.
The pictures you see of buggies without Bowden tube probably have solid trans/motor mounts.
Bart |
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saw2 Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2008 Posts: 321 Location: nw Oregon
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Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Stopped by my local Harbor Freight today they still stocked the cable fitting.
The H.F item# is 96900. Cost was $7.49. These are also stainless steel. Tried using item number on their website search. There it was. At least with the number if you stop by a H.F. store they can look it up and see if they stock or can get it.
Usually in these stores not many clerks really know what all they stock. They are located with the rolls of wire rope and accessories. Picked another one up myself for parts box.
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andk5591 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16757 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 5:35 am Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Look for swageless stud. All I had found were stainless ones that were pretty salty....Pun intended.... _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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saw2 Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2008 Posts: 321 Location: nw Oregon
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 9:55 pm Post subject: Re: Shortened Clutch Cable |
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Yes, that is the exact same one in the posted link above. Still could not find the H.F. Part # online. I will post part# if my local H.F. store still carries them. |
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