Throttle Rubber Link Replacement Stuck

[scotricker]

I thought I's replace the rubber throttle link in my 78, just because I don't know the condition of the one that's in there. I popped the end off the bellcrank and held the other cable end with a vise grips. But the short end unscrewed out, and now the rubber connector part does not seem to want to unscrew to come out. I'm thinking to crush it with big pliers so I can turn it? But it's under the trans mount.
I think I have made a big mess, but at least it's not at the side of the road someday.
Any help, ideas how to get the old one out?

[scotricker]

Maybe I thought of the right answer! I just disconnected the linkage at the pedal cluster, so I can pull some out at the other end to let me get to the rubber thingey!
I will post results later.

[scotricker]

OK, my idea worked.

After popping the cable loose at the pedal cluster, I was able to back the cable out down below, just enough to clear the transmission crossmember, so I could see what was going on. Then replacement of the rubber/metal link part was simple.

I hope my posts will help someone else someday that gets into the same predicament.

And one more fail safe: before I popped the cable loose off the pedal cluster, I wrapped a long piece of wire around the ball end piece, just so I could be sure to be able to fish it out from under there to put it back. That helped, too.

[pete3799]

Just curious.....how did the old one look?

[scotricker]

the old one looked fine, but just-in-case now I have a new one in there. I just didn't know, and didn't want to be left at the side of the road.