Throttle Cable - V6
Discussion
Apologies for following on so soon from Potless Paul's recent thread relating to his V8S but my S3C's inner cable decided to snap at the pedal end today. Limping home at 3K rpm deafened everyone unfortunate enough to be near me each time I depressed the clutch! With the sad demise of TVRcarparts i am at a loss to know who can now source a replacement cable. Before I revert to modifying a motorcycle bowden cable to fit I thought I would sound-out you guys on the off-chance that someone knows an alternative supplier of a cable made specifically for the S2/3/4.
Many thanks
Many thanks
I believe that the throttle cable was a standard ford item, http://www.wicksandmartin.com/ can providenew inners but would need the original for all the fittings
Is indeed a standard Ford item, 2.9 manual Granada (I think), no longer available from Ford and I've not found them made by any "after market" suppliers.
Getting quite scarce now, rarely turn up on Ebay.
I've "stocked up" on a couple similar to these, use just the inner and hopefully the ball 'n socket (engine end) will fit then just have to improvise a nipple at pedal end. I found some "choc block" connectors at work which have a little slip of metal inside so the screws don't tighten directly onto the wire (cable in this case), should be a lot less damaging, handy adjustable cable nipples/repairers.
How do you guys use brake cables etc. attach at engine end
sure I could bodge something as a get home but as a neat permanent replacement?
Getting quite scarce now, rarely turn up on Ebay.
I've "stocked up" on a couple similar to these, use just the inner and hopefully the ball 'n socket (engine end) will fit then just have to improvise a nipple at pedal end. I found some "choc block" connectors at work which have a little slip of metal inside so the screws don't tighten directly onto the wire (cable in this case), should be a lot less damaging, handy adjustable cable nipples/repairers.
How do you guys use brake cables etc. attach at engine end
sure I could bodge something as a get home but as a neat permanent replacement?Edited by phillpot on Sunday 1st April 21:28
I used a piece of "U" section bar to make the fork which is connected to the throttle linkage. The little brass bit from a choc-connector is soldered into the "U" section and this enables the cable to be connected to the fork.
Or maybe these fittings could be adapted.
http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?i...
Or maybe these fittings could be adapted.
http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?i...
Edited by v8s4me on Sunday 1st April 23:17
Had my S3 for 12 years now. When I first bought it I read somewhere that throttle cables went for a pastime so I bought a spare cable. Well last sunday on a run to Portland the plastic ferrule and the cable parted company at the pedal end. The other 4 cars stopped to assist, as we do. There were various suggestions as to how we could repair the cable, when I produced from under the drivers seat my spare cable - looks of amazement all round! It took about 15 minutes to fit the new cable. However it looks like I will have to effect a repair to the old cable in case I need it in 12 years time as they do not appear to be available now.
Cheers
John
Dorset asst RO
Cheers
John
Dorset asst RO
Many thanks to all of you for your suggestions. As a first port of call I'll try my local Ford dealer to search the dusty depths of their stores on the off chance that an original part still lurks there. If that fails (as it almost certainly will) I'll put in a call to Wills and Martin as per Norman's suggestion. I would go down the fabricated U section/chocblock route but on a good day, my welding is as strong as a braze, my braze is as strong as a soldered joint, so I suspect my soldering will have all the structural integrity of Bluetack! This will have to be my third option though. Whatever I do, I will fabricate a stop to limit throttle pedal travel and therefore minimising the chance of cable stretch.shear.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Dave
I'll let you know how I get on.
Dave
As suspected, a trawl of Ford dealerships within a 100 mile radius has confirmed that Ford list the cable as 'no longer available' and no dealer has any old stock sitting on the shelf. I've therefore sent the remnants of my old cable off to Wicks & Martin in Herefordshire who are able to produce a replica. As suggested by Joe I've also asked them to quote for a batch of cables should there be enough demand from owners of other V6 cars on the Forum. I'm not sure of the cost yet (either for a single cable or a batch) but I'll keep everyone posted when W&M get back to me, hopefully later this week.
Dave
Dave
A quick update.....
My original outer cable, now fitted with a new inner has arrived back from Wicks & Martin and is as good as new. It transpires that the cable fitted to my S3C that snapped last weekend is a TVRcarparts replacement. the new inner that Wicks & Martin have fitted is identical in all respects apart from the pedal end now being fitted with a round head rather than the hex. end on the TVRcarparts aftermarket item. The key difference is the tound head now jouns the bowden cable via a 2cm long shoulder (of approximately 6mm diameter) which makes this a snug fit in the top of the pedal. The hex. head originally fitted had no shoulder at all, the absence of which resulted in friction between the inner cable and the edges of the pedal aperture eventually shearing the wire.
Wicks and Martin have also sent me a sample of a cable they are able to make to order for S2/3 cars. I have sent this back to them today with a suggestion that the conical grommet that fits into the rear of the pedal box be modified slightly to ensure the best possible fit. When I hear from Mac or Glyn at W&M I'll let you all know but, early indications are that, once the spec. is finalised, these cables will retail at approx. £25 each. Whilst this may seem excessive to some of us, it is more than £12 less than TVRcarparts were charging and it's kind of comforting to know that there is a source now that Ford's stocks have been exhausted.
Dave
My original outer cable, now fitted with a new inner has arrived back from Wicks & Martin and is as good as new. It transpires that the cable fitted to my S3C that snapped last weekend is a TVRcarparts replacement. the new inner that Wicks & Martin have fitted is identical in all respects apart from the pedal end now being fitted with a round head rather than the hex. end on the TVRcarparts aftermarket item. The key difference is the tound head now jouns the bowden cable via a 2cm long shoulder (of approximately 6mm diameter) which makes this a snug fit in the top of the pedal. The hex. head originally fitted had no shoulder at all, the absence of which resulted in friction between the inner cable and the edges of the pedal aperture eventually shearing the wire.
Wicks and Martin have also sent me a sample of a cable they are able to make to order for S2/3 cars. I have sent this back to them today with a suggestion that the conical grommet that fits into the rear of the pedal box be modified slightly to ensure the best possible fit. When I hear from Mac or Glyn at W&M I'll let you all know but, early indications are that, once the spec. is finalised, these cables will retail at approx. £25 each. Whilst this may seem excessive to some of us, it is more than £12 less than TVRcarparts were charging and it's kind of comforting to know that there is a source now that Ford's stocks have been exhausted.
Dave
davedogfish said:
A quick update.....
My original outer cable, now fitted with a new inner has arrived back from Wicks & Martin and is as good as new. It transpires that the cable fitted to my S3C that snapped last weekend is a TVRcarparts replacement. the new inner that Wicks & Martin have fitted is identical in all respects apart from the pedal end now being fitted with a round head rather than the hex. end on the TVRcarparts aftermarket item. The key difference is the tound head now jouns the bowden cable via a 2cm long shoulder (of approximately 6mm diameter) which makes this a snug fit in the top of the pedal. The hex. head originally fitted had no shoulder at all, the absence of which resulted in friction between the inner cable and the edges of the pedal aperture eventually shearing the wire.
Wicks and Martin have also sent me a sample of a cable they are able to make to order for S2/3 cars. I have sent this back to them today with a suggestion that the conical grommet that fits into the rear of the pedal box be modified slightly to ensure the best possible fit. When I hear from Mac or Glyn at W&M I'll let you all know but, early indications are that, once the spec. is finalised, these cables will retail at approx. £25 each. Whilst this may seem excessive to some of us, it is more than £12 less than TVRcarparts were charging and it's kind of comforting to know that there is a source now that Ford's stocks have been exhausted.
Dave
Well Done daveMy original outer cable, now fitted with a new inner has arrived back from Wicks & Martin and is as good as new. It transpires that the cable fitted to my S3C that snapped last weekend is a TVRcarparts replacement. the new inner that Wicks & Martin have fitted is identical in all respects apart from the pedal end now being fitted with a round head rather than the hex. end on the TVRcarparts aftermarket item. The key difference is the tound head now jouns the bowden cable via a 2cm long shoulder (of approximately 6mm diameter) which makes this a snug fit in the top of the pedal. The hex. head originally fitted had no shoulder at all, the absence of which resulted in friction between the inner cable and the edges of the pedal aperture eventually shearing the wire.
Wicks and Martin have also sent me a sample of a cable they are able to make to order for S2/3 cars. I have sent this back to them today with a suggestion that the conical grommet that fits into the rear of the pedal box be modified slightly to ensure the best possible fit. When I hear from Mac or Glyn at W&M I'll let you all know but, early indications are that, once the spec. is finalised, these cables will retail at approx. £25 each. Whilst this may seem excessive to some of us, it is more than £12 less than TVRcarparts were charging and it's kind of comforting to know that there is a source now that Ford's stocks have been exhausted.
Dave
I had been to see w&m met Gwyn (not Glyn) on a couple of occasions, the cost looked higher then and it was just when I had decided to sell gerald
do didnt progress, glad its come to something 
When I tried a number of Ford dealers last month I was told that the Ford part is now unobtainable and I was unable to find a spares department holding stock. If someone is now selling new/old stock via e-bay then that's great. Suggest that this is the best/most cost effective option over the Wicks and Martin repro. alternative I covered in previous postings.
Wicks & Martin repaired my original cable and also sent me sample of what they are able to produce from scratch for review/comment. Although made very well, the bulkhead end of the outer cable terminated in a square-headed rubber grommet rather than the round of the original Ford part. Mac at W&M told me that he is unable to get hold of the round variety so the grommet as supplied would need a little modification with a sharp Stanley knife to provide a snug fit to the bulkhead. Mac says that he is happy to produce a trial run of 10-12 cables but rather than deal with individual orders, he would prefer to sell these as a job-lot to someone within the Club or on the PH Forum who could then sell-on individual cables as and when needed by owners. Any well-flushed volunteers?
Dave
Wicks & Martin repaired my original cable and also sent me sample of what they are able to produce from scratch for review/comment. Although made very well, the bulkhead end of the outer cable terminated in a square-headed rubber grommet rather than the round of the original Ford part. Mac at W&M told me that he is unable to get hold of the round variety so the grommet as supplied would need a little modification with a sharp Stanley knife to provide a snug fit to the bulkhead. Mac says that he is happy to produce a trial run of 10-12 cables but rather than deal with individual orders, he would prefer to sell these as a job-lot to someone within the Club or on the PH Forum who could then sell-on individual cables as and when needed by owners. Any well-flushed volunteers?
Dave
I have recently had one made by Speedograph Richfield in Nottingham. I sent them my old one and they made a new inner for it which looks to be a bit more substantial than the original but only time will tell. Cost me £32 all in which I did'nt think was too bad.
I tried sending it to Wickes and Martin first after dave dogfish's post but they are reluctant to do single cables and wanted to charge me £50!
Speedograph Richfields phone number is 0115 9264265 (I can't do links, me and computers don't get on!!)
Paul.
I tried sending it to Wickes and Martin first after dave dogfish's post but they are reluctant to do single cables and wanted to charge me £50!
Speedograph Richfields phone number is 0115 9264265 (I can't do links, me and computers don't get on!!)
Paul.
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