How Fix Loos Shifter Cable Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Step 1: Open the center console around the gear shifter. …
  2. Step 2: Turn the gear shifter knob counterclockwise and remove it. …
  3. Step 3: Remove the retaining bolts at the base. …
  4. Step 4: Now pull the gear shifter lever from the console hole. …
  5. Step 5: Replace it with new bushing.

How do you tighten a loose shifter cable?

  1. Step 1: Open the center console around the gear shifter. …
  2. Step 2: Turn the gear shifter knob counterclockwise and remove it. …
  3. Step 3: Remove the retaining bolts at the base. …
  4. Step 4: Now pull the gear shifter lever from the console hole. …
  5. Step 5: Replace it with new bushing.

Why is my bike shifter loose?

The most common reason this happens is because

the shift stretched

. That creates slack in the cable. This slack changes how far the derailleur moves with each click of the shift lever. And, when the cable can't move the derailleur far enough, the derailleur won't be able to shift the chain onto the next cog.

How do you fix a stretched cable?

How do you fix a shifter cable?

How do you tighten a loose bike gear?

What is cable stretch bike?

It's what we broadly refer to as “cable stretch” –

your derailleurs and brakes are connected to your shift/brake levers by thin, braided steel cables

. These shift or brake cables are amazingly thin for what they do! Shift cables are usually 1.1-1.2mm, while brake cables are thicker at 1.5mm.

What causes a shifter cable to break?

The most common reason for failure of a shift cable is

stretching

. It is more common in vehicles with manual transmissions because you move the shifter more frequently; you don't just set it and forget it as you do with an automatic transmission.

How do you stretch a cable?

To calculate stretch, a formula can be applied. The formula is

(E= (W x G) / D2)

. The values derived from this calculator are an approximation, and it is important to remember to keep your units of measure constant. The most common measurement for cable is inches.

How much does it cost to fix a shift cable?

The Best in Auto Repair

The average cost for automatic trans shift cable replacement is

between $303 and $349

. Labor costs are estimated between $177 and $223 while parts are priced at $125. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location.

How much does it cost to fix a loose gear shift?

If the cause turns out to be a loose shifter linkage, you can tighten it yourself at no cost, or have the repair-shop do it for

$50-75

. If the condition is being caused by a damaged shifter cable, the repair-shop will charge you $125-$250 for replacement, or you can purchase and replace it yourself for around $35-$80.

How long does it take to fix a shifter cable?

The time it takes to replace a shift cable will vary across car make and model. On average, the shifter cable takes

1.5-2 hours

to install. If the whole cable does not need to be replaced, other repairs on the same part may take less time to complete.

Why does my gear shifter feel loose?


When a shifter bushing is worn

, the shifter feels loose. It's because the worn bushing left a gap between the handle and the shift rail. Shift rails have detent notches machined into their sides. A spring-loaded ball fits into the detent notch to keep the transmission in gear.

Why is my gear stick so loose?

Generally, most all gear shifters will become loose due to

aggressive gear changing from the gear shifter

. Aggressive gear changing can cause damage to the bushing on the bottom of the gear shifter lever. Once the bushing is damaged, it will cause slack in the gear shifter.

How often should you replace your shifter cables?

It really depends on the amount of use.

Every 2 years

sounds good. My rear usually fails in that amount of time. If you are looking for durability, sealed cables are known to last a long time.

How do you change bike cables?

Can a bike brake cable stretch?


The cables have a natural elasticity being metal and will stretch slightly

. This is minuscule and you possibly won't notice this, but only pick up on a change in your brakes. This could mean it's time to replace the cables and get a fine-tuning.

How do I know if my shifter cable is stretched?

The most common indicator of a stretched transmission cable is

a grinding noise

. When you let off the clutch, the stretched cable cannot push or pull the lever sufficiently, and you will hear it grinding. This is different than the grinding from a worn clutch, which happens when you engage a gear.

Is it hard to replace a shifter cable?

This is relatively easy to install the new shifter cable in the vehicle by replacing the old one. The shifter cable is connected to engines shifting arm from the shifter. This is anchored in two spots.

If you have an understanding of how the shifter cable operates, this will be no hard to replace it by your own

.

Can you drive with a broken shift cable?

So, when that happens, you won't even be able to go into gear as the broken shifter cable prevents transmission since it is basically the link between your shifter and the transmission. If this is the case,

you won't even be able to properly use your car unless the problem has been remedied

.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.