Has anyone repaired a Boxster shifter cable?

[BBoxster]

I recently had an issue with gear shift getting stuck such that I could only get to reverse, first and second gear. I just located the problem, it is with one of the two shift cables at the transmission end. A brass fitting that is normally inserted into the cable outer sheath and crimped to hold in place has come loose, and when it slips out of the outer sheath it can jam between the sheath and the gearbox lever. The two pictures included with this post show the cable as it should look (first picture), and the cable with the brass fitting slid out of position and jammed (second picture).

New cables would fix it, but they are expensive ($552 from dealer) and difficult to install (dealer wants $500 labor, so total is over $1,000). Since the rest of the cable is in good shape, a much less expensive solution would be something that retains the brass fitting where it belongs.

Has anyone had similar problem and developed a solution other than cable replacement?

[jklaspok]

I've never repaired a cable, but I did notice our host carries some connectors that may address this issue. See: Porsche Boxster (1997-2004) - Shift Linkage - Page 1

[BBoxster]

Thanks for the tip - when I went to the link, all the parts I found were for the shifter end of the cable - i.e. inside the cabin. The cable end I need to deal with is the one underneath the car, back at the transmission. Does Pelican offer anything for that end? If so I didn't see it (but wife says I'm blind half the time anyway, so maybe I missed it?).

[BBoxster]

Thanks

To keep anyone interested up to date, I did find the problem, the cable end actually came apart at the transmission end. Details and pictures posted in a separate thread

(Has anyone repaired a Boxster shifter cable? - 986 Forum - for Porsche Boxster Owners and Others)

I really, really, really don't want to spend the money for new cables, so am hoping I can find a way to modify the end fitting to keep it together. Ideas welcome of course!

[BBoxster]

Does anyone have a set of junk Boxster shift cables I can experiment with? Broken / snapped cables would suit my purpose, I just need to try out some ideas on how to secure the brass end fitting at the transmission end.

[BBoxster]

I am thinking about installing new cables. Have searched forums and internet, have not found good installation instructions (too bad Wayne hasn't written this project up). Does anyone know where to get instructions with good pictures?

Thanks

[Jeff Alton]

If you are going to replace the cables, I would recommend the Numeric Racing cables. They are not going to break in the future and are reasonably priced (75 less than you were quoted for factory replacements). I would never waste time attempting to repair a broken cable... Book time on replacement is around 4 hours.

I am not sure where you are located, but this is a pretty straight forward job that we, and many shops, perform fairly regularly....

[BBoxster]

In case anyone else experiences a similar issue, I can report a very simple and inexpensive repair that has gotten my car back on the road again.

Lowest quote I got to replace cables was nearly $900 parts and labor, and best I could do myself was $407 ordering cables from Pelican and installing myself. I almost pulled the trigger on that, but went one more time to stare at the cable......

Turns out that when I pushed the brass piece all the way back into place there was at least 1/2 inch of inner cable sheath exposed at the end, just enough to clamp something on to prevent the brass piece from falling out again. I went to Ace Hardware, bought the smallest hose clamp I could find (the type with a worm gear to tighten the slotted band), put that on the sheath between the brass fitting and the end of the cable and tightened snug (but not tight enough to bind up the steel cable within the sheath).

Happy to report she shifts like new. Only 60 miles so far but no problems. Cost $1.50 plus my time. Probably wouldn't recommend for the track, but seems like a reasonable, "no harm done" compromise for my situation.

[Jay Laifman]

I made this same repair. It's been years under there still working. But thinking of finally getting new cables.

[jdavis7600]

Maybe one of these will help you:

https://www.partssociety.com/search?q=shifter%20cable

jD

[Johnny2655]

I did some research here and everyone that had the same thing happen are saying it was just the linkage that broke and its an easy/cheap fix.

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