J
jmp
Guest
My backdrive cable has been disconnected. Now while this isn't causing me any problems, I'd like to see if I can reconnect it (in the interests of "keeping it original" of course! ). Before I continue, let me see if I understand how this linkage works. The shifter (manual tranny) is connected to a plate on the steering column via a cable. When the cable is pulled by the shifter, the plate rotates down; when the cable is pushed, the plate shifts up.
I need to confirm this: the cable does push (when the shifter is moved into revers), right -- it's not the plate that pulls the cable?
Experimentation has shown me that when the plate is up, the key can be moved to the lock position and removed from the ignition; the key cannot be removed when the plate is rotated downwards. When you shift out of reverse, the cable is pulled. This makes sense as it would rotate the plate down and therefore prevent the key from being removed. Theoretically, then, when you shift into reverse, the cable is pushed, and the plate is rotated upwards, thus allowing the key to be removed.
I say "theoretically" because this is where my experimentation fails me. I put the car in reverse and hooked up the cable (the plate was in the up position). When I shift to 1st, the cable is pulled, the plate rotates down, and I can't remove the key. So far, so good. When I shift back into reverse, though, the key can still NOT be removed.
Provided the cable is supposed to be pushed when I shift into reverse, then the problem is with the cable: it doesn't get pushed, even when it is not connected to the plate. I know with tach/speedo cables you can apply graphite to loosen the cable. Can I do the same thing here, or do I have to replace the cable?
Thanks!
PS. As an aside, when I first reconnected the cable, I was in first gear. To hook the cable up, I pulled the plate part-way down and the cable part way up. Net result? Once I inserted the key, I couldn't remove it. Unfortunately, I could also no longer shift into reverse! Just an FYI in case anyone else decides to play around with this cable!!
I need to confirm this: the cable does push (when the shifter is moved into revers), right -- it's not the plate that pulls the cable?
Experimentation has shown me that when the plate is up, the key can be moved to the lock position and removed from the ignition; the key cannot be removed when the plate is rotated downwards. When you shift out of reverse, the cable is pulled. This makes sense as it would rotate the plate down and therefore prevent the key from being removed. Theoretically, then, when you shift into reverse, the cable is pushed, and the plate is rotated upwards, thus allowing the key to be removed.
I say "theoretically" because this is where my experimentation fails me. I put the car in reverse and hooked up the cable (the plate was in the up position). When I shift to 1st, the cable is pulled, the plate rotates down, and I can't remove the key. So far, so good. When I shift back into reverse, though, the key can still NOT be removed.
Provided the cable is supposed to be pushed when I shift into reverse, then the problem is with the cable: it doesn't get pushed, even when it is not connected to the plate. I know with tach/speedo cables you can apply graphite to loosen the cable. Can I do the same thing here, or do I have to replace the cable?
Thanks!
PS. As an aside, when I first reconnected the cable, I was in first gear. To hook the cable up, I pulled the plate part-way down and the cable part way up. Net result? Once I inserted the key, I couldn't remove it. Unfortunately, I could also no longer shift into reverse! Just an FYI in case anyone else decides to play around with this cable!!
