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Clutch Cables

B Bgeo91316
Does anyone know where I can get a properly constructed clutch cable?

I have a Thunder Ranch 356 Porsche Replica. I generally get about 2,500 - 3,000 miles of driving out of a clutch cable before it breaks. Everytime the car is serviced I ask the mechanic to check the clutch tube angle. The mechanics all mention that the end fittings on the my clutch cable are brazed onto the cable, rather than being swaged as they are on old Porsches and VW clutch cables. The mechanics claim the heat from the brazing and the solder reduces the flexibility at the junction of the cable and the clutch lever connector. They say this brazing weakens the structure of the cable and repeated use of the clutch then causes the cable to fail. Loosing your cluth in traffic or on the freeway can be an unpleasant experience.

I've talked to Tom & Jeannie McBurnie about this problem, and until recently Tom would send me a back-up replacement clutch cable every time one broke. A few months ago he said he would send a couple more cables when he received a bunch of cables he had recently ordered. Tom never sent them and Thunder Ranch has stopped responding to my inquiries about my clutch cable. I will try to get accurate measurements of the length of my clutch cable. Meanwhile, any suggestions that might help solve this problem would be appreciated. Thanks.

1957 Thunder Ranch(Speedster)
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B Bgeo91316
Does anyone know where I can get a properly constructed clutch cable?

I have a Thunder Ranch 356 Porsche Replica. I generally get about 2,500 - 3,000 miles of driving out of a clutch cable before it breaks. Everytime the car is serviced I ask the mechanic to check the clutch tube angle. The mechanics all mention that the end fittings on the my clutch cable are brazed onto the cable, rather than being swaged as they are on old Porsches and VW clutch cables. The mechanics claim the heat from the brazing and the solder reduces the flexibility at the junction of the cable and the clutch lever connector. They say this brazing weakens the structure of the cable and repeated use of the clutch then causes the cable to fail. Loosing your cluth in traffic or on the freeway can be an unpleasant experience.

I've talked to Tom & Jeannie McBurnie about this problem, and until recently Tom would send me a back-up replacement clutch cable every time one broke. A few months ago he said he would send a couple more cables when he received a bunch of cables he had recently ordered. Tom never sent them and Thunder Ranch has stopped responding to my inquiries about my clutch cable. I will try to get accurate measurements of the length of my clutch cable. Meanwhile, any suggestions that might help solve this problem would be appreciated. Thanks.

P pauleric
George. on my thunder ranch i was not only going through cables, but i was having to replace the clutch cable hook/shaft at the pedals. I also dont feel any "break" at my clutch pedal as i press it down. It is solid all the way through. My older brother hates it. Anyway, I think the geometry of the tube is not ideal in our cars. oh, and I could not get a cable to run through the tube from the front of the car to the back. i tried multiple cables. even made a video, its somewhere on youtube.

I went with a completely new set-up. it has threaded fittings on both ends. one front and one back, and utilizes a Heim joint at the pedal. the fitted end going to the heim joint is not very long so I install my cable from the back of the car to the front. works great. Check out custom metric accessories. I gave the same advice to Robert Peterson who was having issues with his Thunder Ranch. Last I heard it fixed all his issues as well. Luckily everytime my cable/shaft broke i was in no position to kill anyone, including myself. it is a horrible feeling.
chines1chines1
Yes, we have cables in stock all the time. We have them made in the USA, swedged ends, built to the proper length (speedster and spdyer).
I see frequent cable breaks for a few reasons; ungreased cable/cable tube, too much angle in Bowden tube, burr or sharp end in clutch cable tube (running through chassis), or cable not matched to pressure plate.
Gordon NicholsGordon NicholsMassachusetts 1993 CMC Supporting Member
This'll probably jinx me, but I've got over 12 years on the same clutch cable, which I got from VS (I think). Greased the heck out of it when I installed it and forgot about it but, after ten years, I suppose it's about time to pull it, re-grease it and put it back. Maybe this summer.

In the meantime, I've made a spare of proper length by taking a stock-length cable to a sailboat rigger I know who swedged a new metric end on it to match the Speedster needs. I've also had a few made there for other people, but any rigging place that has metric ends and a swedger can do it for about $10 plus the cost of the end - and they're stainless.

In the end, the price for that one is about the same as a new one from VS........
B Bgeo91316
Thanks to you all for your very helpful comments. I've asked all of the mechanics who have serviced the car to check the clutch tube (Bowden Tube) and they all have said it's angled properly. I will consider the installation of a hydraulic clutch and I will contact the suggested cable maker in Southern California (Control Cable) once I have the measurements. It sounds as if my experience isn't unique. Thanks again - Bill George
http://home.earthlink.net/~wtg-stuff/356%20Speedster%20Specs.htm
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