Tranny or Shift cables..

[LostRacer]

ok..heres the deal. I'm already aware my cable need to be replaced. There is so much movement in the stick while sitting in one place its ridiculous.

Over the last couple days I've had a slight problem getting it into first gear out of neutral. If I go into second first, it will then slide into first gear with no issues. Occasionally when performing this task I have to try a couple times to get it into second. This has become a real pain at stop lights and feels like its getting worse. :flushed: Can this point to my cables being stretched and not aligning correctly? Or am I bending over for tranny work?

Edit..One more issue. When I turn the wheel I'm getting that groan like the power steering isn't working. Maybe low fluid? Although I have no leaks. Or is my rack and pinion going again? :(

[aircougar1]

Sounds like it could be the rack going...

the cables could be stretched, or the bushings on the cable ends are torn or missing, and now there is Too much slack... either way, its NOT the tranny!

So you could just get new cables and they do come with new cable ends I believe...

[fordrule]

new cables and when they swap cables they should use the cable allignment tool. then u should be golden

[LostRacer]

that rack only lasted me 4 years :(

I have another set of cables to go on. Is it a pain to do myself?

[Topik]

the bushings are easy to replace and are cheaper than the cables. Its common for the bushings to go bad so try that first before wasting your time on the cables.

[LostRacer]

From what I've been told, the cougar cables bushings aren't replaceable. The early model contours were.

[fordrule]

the red clip that connects the cable to the bushing broke off, i had to purchase new cables. they aren't the easiest but do able. a extra set of hands would help u a lot

[brapple]

From what I've been told, the cougar cables bushings aren't replaceable. The early model contours were.


yes from my understanding the later cable ends that thread on iirc, for the focus tower, similar to what is in 2K contours are not available. how ever Bill Jenkins posted this on CEG yesterday

Rejoice all Focus tower owners.

I have found the link that fits onto a Focus shift tower using the new style 98+ shifter cable.

If you remember the original Contour ends had a square hole and an orange spring loaded clamp. Well the new cable have a threaded rod with a notched entry for the cables. This will fix the problem people are having with getting a Focus tower on a newer Contour, or ones that had to have their cables replaced by the newer style.

Also, these do have the bigger ball socket for the Focus ends, as you know the Contour one has smaller balls :eek:

See photos below.

here is the link to the post for the pics
Focus shift tower cable ends for 98+ MTX75 - CEG Forums (http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=25571)

[LostRacer]

I don't have a focus tower :(

[Topik]

you can buy just the ends with the new bushings in them.

[LostRacer]

you can buy just the ends with the new bushings in them.

Bill told me I couldn't for my year. It came up on SVTP not long ago and I asked him about that.

[LostRacer]

http://www.newcougar.org/forums/1417165-post8.html

Read the last line. :(

mine is 4/13/99

[aircougar1]

If you already have the cables, just use those... seriously, it can be a pain to do, but it is not that hard... Just tight spaces. If you can change the alternator, the cables are MUCH easier than that! :)

PM me if you want a how-to for it...