Dogbone cable

[crownvicguy]

Mine broke... just snapped right off when i pushed the clutch.
is this something that i can pick up at a local parts store, or do i have to try to find a dealership that still stocks them? help me out guys- fall break's coming up and i need my car to drive the 300 mile trip home!

 

[Red_LX]

I hate that damn cable.

You can get it at a parts store...but the damn thing costs around $10-12 and will probably break again in 6 months or less. Or you can get it at a dealership, pay a few dollars more, and have it last a little longer.

Last time it broke on my Mustang I just put a bolt in there and double nutted the end (had to grind down the bolt head to get it into the stirrup though), anyway it held up for well over a year until I parked my mustang.

What I'd recommend doing is finding a bolt that fits (find something longer than the original cable in Grade 8) then use the nuts to set it to the right length, and double nut it like I said...and then make a second one. That way you'll have a spare, just in case, and buying the bolts and nuts is probably cheaper than buying a new cable (BTW- I can't remember the exact size bolt I used but I THINK it was 1/4")

 

[351wcoupe]

Tell the parts person for a clutch cable and a "good parts person" will ask if its the long or short cable.

 

[Asha'man]

I snag those at the JY every time I see one....I think I have two spares right now, one in the car and one for friends.

Ash

 

[crownvicguy]

thanks guys! 10-12 bux, huh? that's pretty steep for something that stupid. i like the bolt idea, but for simplicity i'm gonna go with a new cable for now.

 

[351wcoupe]

whatever you put in it make sure it can pivot ok.

 

[Red_LX]

Don't bother going to advance auto parts, they don't even have the short cable listed.

Also, I've always heard you're best off just getting a cable from a Ford dealership. Last parts-store cable i got lasted me less than 6 months, the Ford cable lasted considerably longer than that.

 

[nomuffler]

I had to get one a while back, the dealership was the only place that had one and it was $25. Just turn it off every time you stop and hit the starter in first gear to get going, it'll be jerky at firsrt but once you get it down you'll be fine. EDIT:

 

[Red_LX]

Yeahhhh....that's good for the starter and the engine.

 

[Asha'man]

Hey, it gets ya home. My long cable broke in heavy traffic in July (second day at the new job, I was over an hour late ) and I limped it home like this. Snagged a new long cable at the JY the next day, routed it CORRECTLY, and have had no problems since.

Ash

 

[Red_LX]

Well yeah it'll get you home, but he's making it sound like doing it permanently instead of replacing the cable.

 

[MGTKID]

$8.47 at O' Reilly's. I had to replace one, just make sure to give the thing that goes into the tranny a few tugs.

 

[mr_woodster]

i find this cable very strange. Ive driven my car quite a few years and never broken one. Is it the snow or what?

 

[Darkhorse845]

You can get it at a auto parts store for 10-15 bucks!

 

[Asha'man]

Hehe, I don't have two spares anymore. Snapped mine while downshifting to cross railroad tracks on the way to school a couple weeks ago. Coasted into a parking lot and replaced the dogbone, and was only five minutes late to class. Always carry a spare.

Woodster, I bet yours is gonna break now that you said that.

Ash

 

[mr_woodster]

Woodster, I bet yours is gonna break now that you said that.

Ash

the rule for my car is it only breaks the things i dont exspect