Replacing a gear shift cable on a bicycle

Purpose of the cable and jacket

The element is responsible for switching speeds. It is involved in the braking mechanism of two-wheeled vehicles. The clarity of speed shifting and how effective the brakes will directly depend on it. The part is a durable braided thread made of steel. The shirt is responsible for its protection, which at the same time changes the direction of the cable. It is important to choose the right cable for changing gears; its braid must be resistant to friction.

Both elements are of equal importance and cannot function without each other. Shirts can be solid, uncompressed or coiled. On some models they are replaced with separate sections, creating a prefabricated structure placed in a cylindrical shape. The cable can only remain unprotected along straight lines; in places of bends it is unacceptable to leave it bare. The frame can act as a shirt and is responsible for optimal tension.

Where is the cable located and the main signs of its malfunction?

There are actually many reasons for the cable to break prematurely and immobilize the car. This includes aggressive driving, manifested by the Daewoo Matiz 0.8 starting from high speeds, and unfavorable operating conditions. Due to the design features of the car, some important transmission mechanisms are not entirely reliably protected from moisture, dust and dirt. True, this element does not break every time; its stretching is enough for the transmission to stop functioning correctly. The main signs of a malfunction include:

Difficulty shifting gears;
Lack of traction;
Sounds unusual for the gearbox.

At the first manifestation of the above symptoms, it is recommended to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the transmission. First of all, you need to check the gear shift cable itself, which is located in the lower part of the engine compartment. After spending a few minutes searching, the car owner will be able to find the desired mechanism in close proximity to the main power unit.

What kind of cables and braids are used on modern bikes?

Most models have steel cables. To prevent tears from forming on the surface over time, manufacturers protect the surface of the part with polymer compounds and Teflon. Stainless steel parts are considered more durable. But any spare part has its own service life. Sooner or later a replacement will be needed, in which you need to know how to tension the gear shift cable on a bicycle so that the element works correctly. Manufacturers offer several options for cables with different braids:

twisted - classic version;
SIS - spiral protection;
SIS-SP - improved version.

Parking brake cable malfunctions

The parking brake cable is a twisted braid protected on top with rubber, in which a braided steel cable moves. Some cars use a cable without braid. All cable malfunctions are related to its design. The most common of them:

Reduced mobility of the cable due to dirt getting inside the braid;
Rupture of steel threads from which the cable is woven;
Loosening of the cable fastening in the adapters.

To determine the condition of the cable, you need to put the car on a lift. If you don’t have a lift, then you can get by with an inspection hole, two support stands and one or two jacks. Before you start installing your car on a pit or lift, carefully read the article on safety precautions when repairing and servicing a car, this will help you avoid mistakes and injuries.

Checking the condition of the cable must be carried out by two people, one watches the cable from below, and the second, at the command of the first, turns the parking brake lever on and off. With the parking brake turned off (on rear-wheel drive vehicles, you must set the manual or automatic transmission lever to the neutral position), turn the rear wheels by hand. They should turn without much effort. Inspect the entire parking brake mechanism, paying special attention to damage and rust. Have an assistant lift the parking brake lever two clicks, then try to spin the wheels. They should either not rotate at all or rotate only after applying very serious force. Have an assistant raise the lever two more clicks. The wheels must remain stationary, regardless of the force applied to turn them. After this, ask an assistant to completely turn off the parking brake. The wheels should then rotate without effort. If the wheels are difficult to rotate, the handbrake cables need to be replaced because dirt has accumulated inside the sheath or adapter through which the cable is connected to the brake caliper, or several strands of the cable are broken and clinging to the housing or adapter. If the cables on your car are not braided, then carefully inspect it for breaks in the steel threads. If at least one break is found, both cables must be replaced.

In what cases is it necessary to replace the speed switch cable?

The gear shift cable on bicycles is replaced when it becomes stuck or shifts incorrectly. The main reason for part failure is dirt and water. The gear shifters do not work properly if the vehicle is not dried out after driving in rain and slush. It is important to thoroughly clean the elements of your two-wheeled “friend” and treat them with aerosol lubricant. For some time after purchase, the cable on the bicycle for changing gears is protected by factory compounds, but under the influence of moisture the layer becomes thinner and then disappears completely. As a result, the part needs to be replaced.

Also, bicycle repair in the form of removing the gear shift cable on the bicycle will be required if there is rust or breaks on its surface. Difficult movement inside the braid, kinked threads, deformed shirt - all these are reasons to replace the part.

Transmission cable: replacement

When using a manual transmission correctly, it is necessary not only to monitor the technical condition of this unit, but also to competently handle the gear shift lever directly. Since the main malfunctions in a manual transmission occur when the driver operates the shift lever incorrectly (sharp engagement or “jerking”).

In this case, switching mechanisms, synchronizers, shafts, gears, cables, etc. may fail. We must not forget that over time, the gear shift system, subjected to heavy loads, can also fail. As a result, there is unstable gear shifting, difficulty with shifting, etc.

Problems can be corrected by adjusting the rocker or repairing the cable. Replacing the shift cable is quite a labor-intensive job, so it is recommended to carry out the work at a service station. If you carry out the replacement yourself, you must remember that the gearshift cables are replaced in pairs, since they belong to the same unit.

We also recommend reading the article about why manual transmissions are difficult to engage. From this article you will learn about the main reasons why engaging manual transmission gears is difficult, unclear, etc., as well as what to do in this or that case.

So, let's look at how to change the manual transmission cable. By the way, replacing manual transmission cables is practically no different from replacing automatic transmission cables. The only difference is the number of cables. The sequence of actions when removing manual transmission control cables is as follows:

disconnect the wire from the negative terminal on the battery;
remove the floor tunnel lining, then use special pliers to grab the bent edge of the cable sheath fastening bracket and remove the bracket;
disconnect the gear shift cable end from the rocker lever pin;
Grab the spring cotter pin securing the cable tip with pliers and remove it from the hole in the rocker arm;
remove the battery mounting shelf;
Squeeze the cable end clamps with pliers and disconnect it from the lever on the manual transmission;
Remove the end of the cable sheath from the groove of the bracket on the mechanical box;
Disconnect the end of the gearshift cable from the manual transmission lever and remove the end of the cable sheath from the bracket;
Remove the “thermal shield” of the additional muffler and remove the cable holder from the hole in the base of the car body;
Remove the cables under the car;

Installation of new cables is carried out in the reverse order of removal. Also, upon completion, it is necessary to adjust the gearbox control drive. Please note that adjustments to the rocker and other mechanisms must be performed as efficiently as possible in order to achieve clear and easy gear engagement.

Cable replacement steps

Before you remove the shift cable on your bicycle, you need to have your tools ready. To work you will need wire cutters, hexagons and the part itself. The replacement process is similar to switch repair and may vary depending on the type of product. The work can be divided into several stages:

Nip off the end of the cable using wire cutters. Loosen the screws responsible for clamping the part. It is important to immediately remember the location of the cable in order to properly tension it in the future, ensuring optimal tension. The rear derailleur should be located almost flush with the small chainring, and the cable itself should be above or below the screw.
Loosen the shifter using a 5mm hex wrench. Next, remove the part and set it aside as you will need it later. You will now have access to the protective cover.
Turn the cover counterclockwise and unscrew the fixing element, also set it aside.
Make note of how the end of the cable is secured so that you can fix it in the same position after replacement. It is located on a spring, pull it out. Access to the end of the cable opens after moving the spring. When you install a new part, the direction of movement will be similar.
Where there is empty space, we install a new cable. You can replace the part with a more modernized model; it is not necessary to install an identical product. To ensure precise installation, use a screwdriver or awl.
Next, the shifter cover is mounted. To do this, pull the part clockwise until it stops. It is important to ensure complete tightening of the part in order to avoid its deformation in the future.
Pull the cable, its beginning should appear. It must move freely in the braid, otherwise the cable will not fit.
Check the location of the switch, it should be in the same place where it was originally, that is, near the small star. If everything is good, tighten the fixing screw.

Parking brake cable - problems and DIY replacement

Any modern passenger car is equipped with two brake systems - working and parking (manual). Unlike the hydraulic service brake system, which the driver uses while driving and maneuvering, the hand brake is used to permanently secure the rear wheels of the vehicle. This made it possible to simplify the design of the parking brake system compared to the working one. After reading the article, you will learn how the parking brake system works, what role the cable plays in it, when it needs to be serviced or replaced, and learn how to do it.

What you should pay attention to when buying a cable

Knowing how to change a bicycle's shift cable is not all that a cyclist should be informed about. Before repairing, you need to choose a high-quality cable that will last a long time. To do this it must be:

polished;
made of stainless steel;
coated with low-friction Teflon.

An important point is the price; there is no need to save on purchasing parts responsible for the speed, quality of their transmission and braking. The average cost of a spare part varies between 100-300 rubles, much depends on the manufacturer. Before replacing the gear shift cable on a bicycle, experienced cyclists recommend purchasing products from well-known brands.