Bowden tube support bracket??

SrfCity · 12-15-2010, 08:06 AM

Anyone have a solution for a worn out bowden tube support on the tranny of a '70?(see pic) I know VW have brackets you can buy http://www.appletreeauto.com/VW-TRAN...TUBE-BRACKETS/ but is there anything that's worked for 911's? I've got an old school guy that can make one but it's a little spendy.

TIA

KTL · 12-15-2010, 08:42 AM

Like this?

Welcome to Rothsport Racing - Transmission Products

Not sure if it applies to a 901 trans but I figured i'd post it anyway

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTL

Like this?

Welcome to Rothsport Racing - Transmission Products

Not sure if it applies to a 901 trans but I figured i'd post it anyway

Thread jack, can these parts be made to replace the ones that have cracked off, if so can one just cut the old piece of magnesium off and bolt this on?
Thanks

SrfCity · 12-15-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTL

Like this?

Welcome to Rothsport Racing - Transmission Products

Not sure if it applies to a 901 trans but I figured i'd post it anyway

Yea, thanks. That's certainly on the right track but doesn't look like it'd fit the bowden tube?

KTL · 12-15-2010, 10:11 AM

Second look says you're right, 915 & 901 don't share the same bracket location. However look at what Rothsport does for the 901 side cover

Welcome to Rothsport Racing - Transmission Products

See the picture on the left? Maybe their billet bracket can be used with the factory final drive housing side cover.?

rw7810 · rw7810's Garage

In one of the volumnes of the PCA technical books there was an article of how t o make a replacement part and attach. Don't remember the details, but someone else may chime in. If it is not warn all the way through yet, I would suggest cutting a piece of plastic sheet (milk jug type) or heavier and fasten that in there as a rub block to prevent further metal degredation.

chiroracer · 12-15-2010, 10:25 AM

Somewhere ive seen a bracket that bolts on the lower portion,rothsport is going to be making a whole sidecover with that part built in ,it is spendy but has the added benefit of stronger structure for ring and pinion side force. I am going toget mine welded locally and see how it comes out(it was dropped). Steve

SrfCity · 12-15-2010, 07:10 PM

Oh well, did a cheapy fix with a couple of zip ties for now. It prevents the tube from further rubbing on the support, at least in the thinning areas. Thanks for the replies.

Grady Clay · 12-16-2010, 05:31 AM

SrfCity,

That is a great fix to prevent farther damage.

Why didn’t I think of that?

You need to replace the ‘plastic piece’ with the aftermarket aluminum version.
This will prevent stranding you.

BTW, when (not if) you have a broken clutch cable or other component, DO NOT DRIVE without the clutch disengaging.

Even if the clutch doesn’t completely disengage, stop and fix the problem.
The damage done to the syncros and engagement pieces can exceed the value of the transmission.
Those ‘little crunches’ can be a $7000 bill if continued.

Your beautiful magnesium transmission castings need a coat of Tectyl, the Factory wax 'one-season' coating (lasts much longer).
It is available in spray cans.
If you don’t get it completely coated, it will corrode badly.

Tectyl 846 is available in a case of 11-oz rattle cans from:
F&L Company
1543 E. Del Amo Blvd.
Carson, CA 90746
310-603-2257

Not far from Pelican Parts.

Best,
Grady

SrfCity · 12-16-2010, 02:38 PM

Some good info thanks. Apparently there was an old Pano article about 15 years ago on how to make a bracket. Anyone have access to it and can post details? Thanks.

ddubois · 12-19-2010, 11:54 AM

It's not pretty, but it works and it's cheap.

archtech · archtech's Garage

I've got this same problem on my clutch right bow. Going to try to fabricate something but need to know more details of the function. Can someone explain if the plastic tube is supposed to be captured by the bracket? is there some sort of stop? or is it just levered on the bracket and can slip thru if straight? thanks!

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

The bracket should be circular and capture the tube. I had mine repaired by a welder who built up the area. I filed the hole to size and it worked well for many years. I used grease on the tube to limit further wear.

archtech · archtech's Garage

thanks for the pic, but is there some sort of stop that keeps the plastic tube from moving? the plastic tube is smaller diameter than the bracket hole. what keeps the plastic tube from moving and sliding thru? i assume it's not supposed to move? thanks...

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

The tube slides. That is what operates the clutch arm.

archtech · archtech's Garage

So the plastic tube slides with the pedal movement to push the clutch lever? I was thinking the cable inside pushes the clutch lever. Sorry, I'm confused as to how this operates. What pushes the tube then since it's just a housing around a cable that moves? Is the tube supposed to be attached to one end of the cable so when you press the pedal it pushes the end of the cable and clutch arm which is attached to the tube? My tube spins around the cable so I dont think it's attached. Wish there was a video so I could see what is supposed to happen. I do appreciate your help in this.

oldie44 · 07-16-2015, 02:31 AM

Here is a picture of a support bracket I made. There was an article in Porsche Panorama in the 1970s on how to make a repair bracket out of aluminum. It is reprinted in Upfixen volume 5 or 6 which may be available online.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

The end of the cable is attached to the small hole on the bell housing just below the engine mounting bolt. The end of the cable does not move, it is solidly attached. One end of the tube is against the tunnel where the cable exits. The other end attaches to the clutch release arm. When the clutch pedal is pressed the cable causes the tube to push on the release arm. See #8 above.

I have often wondered what the Porsche engineers were thinking when they came up with this Mickey Mouse setup.