Transmission clutch cable question.

[scubachris]

I was driving my 79 Fiat Spider and the clutch cable broke. My mechanic thinks that something is going on in the bell housing to break the cable and wants to look into it. I think it is old age. What do y'all think?

[narfire]

Was it or has it been shifting fine?
The cable over time can get "sticky" in the sheathing and become an issue. Usually then, the firewall will develop a crack or 6 where the cable goes through.
Where did it break? Middle or end?
When the car is up on the hoist, you can pull the rubber cover at the fork and have a sort of look about.
Does the fork move back and forth without issues?
new cable and adjust so you have about 1" of play before the pedal offers resistance.

[scubachris]

Was it or has it been shifting fine?
The cable over time can get "sticky" in the sheathing and become an issue. Usually then, the firewall will develop a crack or 6 where the cable goes through.
Where did it break? Middle or end?
When the car is up on the hoist, you can pull the rubber cover at the fork and have a sort of look about.
Does the fork move back and forth without issues?
new cable and adjust so you have about 1" of play before the pedal offers resistance.

These are all good questions that I don't know the answer to. It is at the mechanics shop and he just started looking at it

[76was124]

I have read in other posts that the clutch cable can have a shortened life if there is not a good ground strap between the engine and chassis. The clutch cable becomes the ground strap otherwise.

[v6spider]

I have read in other posts that the clutch cable can have a shortened life if there is not a good ground strap between the engine and chassis. The clutch cable becomes the ground strap otherwise.

Number one cause of cable failure.

Cheers!
Rob

[bulldog4444]

Check the actual fork portion at the top of the clutch pedal. It tends to bend and puts undo torque on the end piece which snaps. If that is where it has broken which is a very common problem then a new pedel or reinforcement of the old pedel is in order.