Shift Cables

[bcrdukes]

Hi fellow 986 Boxster owners,

The dreaded day had come where my shift cables snapped or popped out yesterday. I was at a red light and the light turned green. Started out in first, shifted into second, and then into third - that's where things got stuck and I couldn't get it into gear and the shift lever just got stuck in the middle in neutral without being able to pivot left, right, up, or down.

I looked through my massive binder of maintenance history dating back to 2004 (Vehicle is a 01 S - 6-speed) and no records indicate the cables were ever replaced. We can assume these are original cables from the factory.

For those of you who have replaced the cables, did you replace with factory cables or an aftermarket solution such as Numeric Racing's cables? Also curious if any of you have used the Function First or Rennline shift cable retainers, and whether there is any real added benefit.

My car nowadays sees 80% track time doing HPDE with my regional PCA club and the remaining 20% is to drive to/from the shop for my maintenance/tech inspections, and to the track/home. I've been accused by others in the club of terrorizing cup cars and clubsports in my run group, but I think this is an exaggeration.

[maxbottomtime]

Have you crawled under the car and looked at where the cables connect? Are you sure they haven't just disconnected on either end?

[bcrdukes]

No, not yet. When I pulled over, it was on a dirt road (country side) and was not safe to jack the car up. Had to get it towed on a flat bed and dropped off at the shop. I'll find out in a day or two what's going on.

[tcoradeschi]

Originally Posted by maxbottomtime

Have you crawled under the car and looked at where the cables connect? Are you sure they haven't just disconnected on either end?

That is probably what happened. The cable(s) have popped off the transmission because the sockets on them have worn out. Theoretically, those sockets are replaceable, I believe, but given the age of the car, likely as not, a complete replacement is going to be the most viable path forward.

[bcrdukes]

Thanks!

I'm hoping it's just that, but as a preventative measure, I think it's time to replace the cables any way.

[bcrdukes]

Update: Looks like the shift cable collar became dislodged from the sheathing and caused the cable to bind. Replacement is the only option.

[clickman]

Yes, those cheap plastic wipers on the sheaths...

Here's how I found one of mine during the last maintenance day. I wrapped it tightly in vinyl electrical tape. Let's see how long that lasts.

[bcrdukes]

Thanks for sharing!

By chance, are your cables original?

[clickman]

Originally Posted by bcrdukes

By chance, are your cables original?

Yes they are

[bcrdukes]

Hopefully your solution holds up. I got mine replaced yesterday with the latest version of cables, which ends in 8, if anyone is curious.

[clickman]

Did you consider an aftermarket solution, like Numeric?

[bcrdukes]

Initially I did, because it seemed like the natural progression as my car sees 90% track time, 10% on the street, mainly to get to the shop for tech inspection/repairs and to/from home and the track.

I decided against it because this is still a street'able car and will drive it occasionally to work, so keeping it civil and comfortable, and more importantly, reliable, were the deciding factors. Seeing as the original cables lasted so long, I went with it, and also, it was available to me the quickest. Had I opted for the Numeric cables, I'd miss the July PCA DE event.