Changing up your drivetrain can be an exciting way to refresh your vehicle and gear it out. With the right tools, you can replace the cable for more power, travel, or even a different look.
Many times, gear shift cables are expensive. When buying a new cable, make sure that it is high-quality steel to keep up with your shifting needs. Most newer cars have this!
When investing in a new cable, make sure that you do not need a replacement right away. Buying a double-ended cable will help preserve your overnight storage might help preserve your savings!
This article will talk about some of the different types of cables that are available and how much they cost. We will also give some tips on how to know if you need a new one or not.
Contents:
Cable material
There are several ways to replace the cable in your gear shift. Each has its own cost and replacement is needed at some point.
Most replacements are done by cutting a new piece of cable and then feeding it through the gear shift mechanism. This method works for small or large shifts!
The other method is to replace the internal wiring inside the gear shift. This requires a bit more knowledge of how the car works, but can offer some cool perks.
Adjuster material
There are several different types of gear shift cable replacements. Which one you choose depends on what type of vehicle you have and what kind of vehicle you have it in.
If your vehicle has a traditional gearshift, then look for a cable replacement that is pig-tailed or contains a link. These can be replaced in either the front or rear, depending on which button on the steering column you have.
If your vehicle has a dual-motor setup, then look for a cable replacement that is non-pig-tailed or does not contain a link. These can be replaced in both the front and rear, depending on which motor you have.
As stated before, when replacing the gearshift cable, it should be done by sticking something sharp into one end and pulling to disconnect the other end.
Collar material
As mentioned earlier, gear shift cable replacement can be costly. If you are looking into doing it on your own, consider using steel or polyester cable instead of nylon. These cables are more expensive but may save you money in the long run!
While steel cable may not be as affordable as nylon, they are still cost effective. A full length steel cable will set you back around $80 vs $20 with a nylon one. Even with the cost difference, I would recommend using a metal cable instead of a nylon one for safety reasons.
Usually, when there is a problem with the gear shift system, such as breakage or misplacement, it comes down to wrong cables being connected. Connecting the cables correctly can also help repair any damage caused by connecting incorrectly.
End connector material
When it comes to choosing the material intended for your cable, you have several options. These materials can be printed, cut, or inserted. Depending on what option you choose, these may affect your cable’s lifespan.
Cut cables can be very difficult to tell if they are cut or not due to their material. Print cables have two choices of material: print or non-print. Non-print cables do not look much different than their print counterparts except for the absence of a connectors.
Replaceable connectors may come with a new set of rings or glue may be required to put them on. If the replacement does not need new rings or glue, then the cost is lower!
Dangling wires are a sign of poor quality cables. If the cable looks like it is going to break off after some force is placed on it, then it might be worth spending money on replacement cables.
Cost of gear shift cable replacement
While most people would recommend replacing the gear shift cable for every repair, it is still possible to save some money when it can be done at a local hardware store.
Some hardware stores offer free or reduced-cost cables for gearshift repairs, which is a great way to get some leverage in negotiations. In addition to this free cable, the hardware store may also supply you with some special tools needed for the repair such as a allen wrench and a cable nut.
This kind of discount can make the repair cost more affordable and give you more confidence in your vehicle. In addition to being useful for repairs, having a quality cable can help preserve your vehicle’s performance after a drivetrain failure.
It is important to note that when doing any kind of cable replacement on your vehicle, do not forget about the inner and outer rings.
How to replace gear shift cable
While it is not expensive to buy new gear shift cables, it can be difficult and/or cost effective to do so when the cables have been removed.
When installing a new cable on a replacement job, there are a few steps that must be taken. First, the boot must be removed from the transmission. Then, the cable can be installed using some fine-grain tension techniques along with some purchase-strength cable ties.
Last, the engine must be restarted and started up before releasing the tension on the cables. This ensures that all of the tensioning devices are working properly and does not need to be repeated during installation.
Remove shift handle
Start with the top of the handle. Under the grip, you’ll find a small tab that holds the shift handle in place. You can remove it by gently pulling on it from the bottom side of the handle until it comes free.
Remove the cable by carefully placing a thumb behind one end and pulling up and away with a hand or tool. Once it’s out, you can put a new one in place!
Costs $5-10 plus installation, depending on where you have your shift handled. An expert can do the replacement for less!
Try One of These Alternatives First: A good alternative to a shift cable is changing your brake pads. You can do this yourself, instead of having an expert do it for you! Using your car as protection, you can change both brake pads and tires at home!
There are many places where a professional will replace your shift cable. This is costuming or doing it yourself.
Remove console cover
Before you can do any changing on the gear shift cable, you must remove the console cover. This is done by disconnecting the charging port and removing the battery with a small Phillips-head screwdriver. Then you can reach in and remove the cables.
Replace it with a new one and charge it up! Once it is charged, install it back into its place and reconnect your charging port. You are ready to go!
Bullet point: How much does a replacement cable cost?eger cost?
While there are many online sites that sell new cables, they can be very expensive.