Is it possible to drive the car with a broken clutch cable?

[cantdrv55]

Often wondered what would happen if I can't shift gears. Is the car stuck then and will have to be towed or can it be driven? If so, how is it done?

[grant lyon]

If stopped: turn engine off, engage selected gear (1st or 2nd), check the coast is clear wrt traffic lights & local constables, point unlocked steering wheel where you want to go, and start engine. Upon approaching stop sign/light, back off throttle, pull gear into neutral, stop. Do not switch off (locks steering), until ready to repeat. If you're in motion, and good with matching gear speeds and feathering the throttle, you can shift once you're moving. I've never had the guts to shift my 915, but with an old truck BTDT - might want to practice on a beater.

[k9handler]

This has been something I have done way too often...I am able to start the car off in 3rd and make it home. I now keep a spare cable in the car and even then this past month something else went wrong and had to limp her home in 3rd. =o(

[Joeaksa]

Have done the same thing once or twice. Works well but helps if you can shift without using the clutch first.

You can get it home or the shop but best not to do it very often. Easier to carry a spare cable (if thats the problem) with you like HD.

Joe A

[john walker's workshop]

when up-shifting, get off the throttle and in the same motion pull the shifter out of 1st and hold it firmly against 2nd until it engages. then back on the throttle. etc, etc. you have to be somewhat firm. if the syncro is good, it will engage quietly. if not, expect a bit of noise. downshifting requires that you raise the RPM to what you would normally get after you downshift. takes a bit more practice.

[HarryD]

I recently had my cable fail and drove 20 miles to wrench for repair without stopping. Put car in second and started it. With my 125,000+ mile transmission, I did not want to power shift so I left it in second. Top speed was about 45-50 mph and I was able to lug it through the slow spots. Tedious but it works.

[FrayAdjacent911]

I had to drive my coupe home once about 50 miles when the clutch broke. It wasn't the cable though... the throwout bearing had ripped out of the pressure plate!

Luckily the car started well in 1st. I made it all the way home only having to stop once. Shifting wasn't too fun as some of my synchronisers are pretty work out.

[stlrj]

Had to drive my buddy's 73 targa from Crater Lake to Portland after he ran over a bolder that took out his clutch cable.

Thank goodness I had a lot of experience doing this because I had a VW that I drove with a broken cluch cable for over a year that was so easy to drive without the clutch cable that I was in no hurry to fix it.

Cheers,

Joe

[ben parrish]

The steering WILL lock when the key is turned off but still in the tumbler; at least in an 86 it will. The locking mechanism for the wheel engages/disengages when the tumbler is turned to the first(accessory) position.
Ben