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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: dakazman on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 07:45:18 AM

Title: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 07:45:18 AM
  I purchased a VW cable awhile back as a replacement to the original.
I understood that it needed to be modified to fit . What side should I cut to install the sheath? At first I thought the interior side but do I need the longer threaded rod on the engine side that I’ll cut and reuse ?
Dakazman
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: 4129R on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 08:21:12 AM
I don't understand your question.

Do you want to install a VW inner cable in the original outer cable, and you want to know which end of the inner cable to cut off to thread it through?
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 10:14:55 AM
 That’s correct.
  It is a matter of is the vw threaded aft section being long enough to exit the sheath. I never saw this the original installed, I guess you can have some cable showing outside of the aft side.
To make it simpler I cut the longer threaded aft section off the old cable and drilled out enough to s wedge it in and hit with a weld.
  If I cut the front off the small front , I just have to swedge, crimp the new stop in place.

   Lol , never mind I now see there is a front metal bracket that the cable runs through.
I need to fabricate that first .  Now I see what keeps the cover from sliding around .I also see where the end attaches to the frame through the body shell.

I found a bracket I made up a few years back when I purchased the cable. Now I just have to fit it and mount . I think I made it to just attach to the fiberglass body that’s why it has a backing plate.
Dakazman
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: jbcollier on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 10:20:55 AM
Glad you've got it figured.

Don't weld cables.  Use proper silver solder, not the plumbing stuff.  Use just enough heat otherwise you'll embrittle the cable wires.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 10:27:06 AM
  Thanks guys, I get back to you . I think I’ll just have to crimp the front stop on, and not have to solder anything.
Dakazman

Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 03:37:52 PM
  After discovering a needed bracket inside the car I cut the front swedged end off. At the engine side I found the cable only runs thru the motor mount.another task will be to find the correct hardware to make the connection and research a return spring location.  I still have to cut a slot in this stainless bracket that I had made several months back along with some steel ones.
  I did manage to get the ebrake installed and working. Tomorrow maybe some rug panels cut and ready for trim .
Dakazman
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: BDA on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 04:47:58 PM
Did you remember to lube the handbrake cable? I've heard of some who put rubber "caps" on the end of the sheath to keep as much of the lube in as possible.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: jbcollier on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 05:07:42 PM
I'd triangulate the body bracket.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 06:42:51 PM
   BDA,  I did lube the handbrake assembly when I rebuilt it a year or so ago. It moves very easy.
The aft cable assembly is brand new

   JB,  not sure what you mean, triangulate . The ebrake mount holes were original, only filled in to stop the cracks the bracket can be rotated a bit with side to side movement but zero up down.

Dave

 
 
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: GavinT on Saturday,October 23, 2021, 07:48:46 PM
Triangulate the clutch cable bracket something like this so it can resist bending.

Original brackets have the sheath hole positioned much lower/closer to the base section to minimise the bending potential.
A lower bracket also 'hides' better in the carpet when installed.

Recommend making a new part with a lower hole position so the sheath just touches the base section would work. Use probably 3/16th inch material at a minimum, I reckon.
The rigidity of this part is important for clutch feel and proper operation . . and is a PITA if it fails in the field, as it were.

I'm curious.
Does the Type 65 have the gearbox clutch lever on the left hand side?
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: 4129R on Sunday,October 24, 2021, 01:59:26 AM
I'd triangulate the body bracket.

The brackets from Banks are far stronger. There is a lot of tension on that cable when you put your foot down on the clutch pedal.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Sunday,October 24, 2021, 04:47:56 AM
   Okay, I got it now. Thanks for the pic 🙏 The original bracket was very corroded 25 years ago made of steel. I’ll beef another bracket up and install a spacer to frame which is approximately 1/4” below the glass body using the holes in frame , if there , there.

  Gavin, gearbox clutch arm is on the right side, picture 1 is from top down.

  Dave
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Monday,October 25, 2021, 02:28:11 PM
   Added some stiffeners to the bracket that is made of 301 1/2 Hard (AMS 5518) material and added an aluminum stiffener. It was easier than starting from scratch and I wanted something that wouldn’t rot under a wet rug.
  I also tried to find the holes in the frame , no such luck , they were none .
  I disassembled the steering column and will install the seal plate which has a larger diameter inner circle , then connect the internal shaft Thru the seal plate then the steering wheel assembly and lock it in place.
  My rug has been taken out of its shipping wrap and now trying to get the creases out.

Dakazman
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: BDA on Monday,October 25, 2021, 02:34:57 PM
That should be plenty strong enough!
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: SilverBeast on Monday,October 25, 2021, 02:38:10 PM
You probably know, but I dont think the self cancel clip for the indicators on the upper column inner can be moved on the column.

As the lower column section only clamps into the upper in one position ( as the flat needs to line up with the bolt used to set the impact  collapse slip friction) you need to ensure the rack is centred to the self cancel centre position when you clamp up the lower column to the rack via the universal joint.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Monday,October 25, 2021, 03:15:25 PM
  Good point Silver.
  the cancel switch is still to be explored. I do know that the shaft will be a trial an error. I have been looking for visual indicators or a master spline key to join the two. I'll be well versed in this task afterwards. I'll also start from center and find the difference in turns then make adjustments from there.
   It will be nice to turn the wheels from the steering wheel again after 25 years.
Dakazman
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: SilverBeast on Monday,October 25, 2021, 03:39:14 PM
Mine is misaligned by a DPO. Assuming your indicators are on the right stalk, I believe the bit that sticks out from the column should be in the 3 o'clock position when the wheel/rack is centred - 9 o'clock if the stalk is on the left.

I'm  not sure  but  if you have a centre horn push you might also need some wire to bridge the coupling that joins the column to the rack, to give better ground continuity too.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: Gary t on Monday,October 25, 2021, 04:30:29 PM
I managed to get mine set to cancel  right turns but not left. A winter project.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: jbcollier on Tuesday,October 26, 2021, 06:36:38 AM
The "cancel clip" can be moved.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: Gary t on Tuesday,October 26, 2021, 08:00:04 AM
Cool to see the metamorphosis of a thread.
Move the cancel cam I'll see if I can do that.
Thanks John
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: SilverBeast on Tuesday,October 26, 2021, 10:00:16 AM
The "cancel clip" can be moved.

I'll have to have another look at mine then as I couldn't move mine (UK Special which should be the same as S2 I believe). It seemed to have a peg on the clip that I assumed located into a hole on the upper column.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: jbcollier on Tuesday,October 26, 2021, 12:26:06 PM
Maybe some and some don't, early vs late sort of thing.
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Tuesday,October 26, 2021, 06:29:35 PM
  I looked for a cancel clip on the shaft, none to be found. However I did see a small 1/4” indent where a clip could attach . It was in direct alignment with the tabs .
If you’re in there, please take a picture. I hope one is available from the usual vendors.

I’ll be needing one ,
Dakazman
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: SilverBeast on Tuesday,October 26, 2021, 10:25:11 PM
I think it might be item 2 on this diagram. https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/steering-column-upper-spitfire-mki-1500-1962-80.html (https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/steering-column-upper-spitfire-mki-1500-1962-80.html)

Or in US https://mossmotors.com/clip-turn-signal-cancelling?assoc=137893 (https://mossmotors.com/clip-turn-signal-cancelling?assoc=137893)
Title: Re: Clutch cable help needed
Post by: dakazman on Wednesday,October 27, 2021, 04:40:11 AM
Thanks silver,
 I’ll order it today from US Moss. I report back .
Dakazman