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Topic: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse (Read 1940 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #25 –
Pierce.... yup I get the idea. Splitting the hose in that way doesn't require disconnecting the cable. Sounds like a workable plan to me. I'm going to gather up the stuff to do it today. Not sure if anyone sells LPS in anything other than aerosol form around here but I'll find out. Thanks for the idea. :)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #26 –
I'm pretty sure Jeff Savournin had the shift cable replaced on his 93, 225 at FOT. Cost was substantial as I recall. Maybe PM Jeff and see what he has to say.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
I'm pretty sure Jeff Savournin had the shift cable replaced on his 93, 225 at FOT. Cost was substantial as I recall. Maybe PM Jeff and see what he has to say.

I'm pursuing the lube option right now and if that doesn't work I think I'll look harder at the pushbutton option. We can drive the rig... but someone has to shift it manually with a long fork-tool. I just hope the DW can run fast enough. b^.^d

Craig :)
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #28 –
Regarding the Stone Bennett air shift for an MT643, this outfit offers a bolt-on system and the rep (Tom Hall) says that the hardest part of the installation is running the control cable from the driver's position.

Stone Bennett Shifters

The price is a bit high... he quoted me $2500 for the kit; this does not include installation costs.

Working on the lube option even harder now.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #29 –
It's definitely the cable. The DW works for a school district and their mechanic kindly came over to give us a hint. It took him about 15 minutes to determine that the cable was faulty and explain just how to run a new cable. His recommendation was not to buy the air-operated shifting system but to simply keep it simple and fix the mechanical linkage.

So now we go measure the existing control cable, find a new on (Allison seems the most likely source) and buy it. Then we get to crawl around under the coach (again) and install it.

Not for a couple of days though... taking the mountain bikes and a tent and headed into northern Idaho first. :)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #30 –
When you get the old one out you may want to look at teleflex or morse marine control cables.Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #31 –
If you don't cut the cable, you can have a new one built to exactly replace it.  Had mt Morris cables made to order.

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #32 –
Bet the problem is within 5' of the Trans End.  The cause is road grunge and salt water thrown up and it wicks in around the worn out rubber cap. Try PB Penetrating Oil or get a Cable Brake Lube device at your local Motorcycle shop.
Steve & Nancy Snow
1987 GV 40'

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Steve & Nancy Snow –
Bet the problem is within 5' of the Trans End.  The cause is road grunge and salt water thrown up and it wicks in around the worn out rubber cap. Try PB Penetrating Oil or get a Cable Brake Lube device at your local Motorcycle shop.

The sheathing is broken at the top and I could not get a tight enough seal around it to get lubricant down the cable. The mechanic (who can rebuild every engine the school district uses in its buses, trucks and cars) says that the outer sheath cracks and moisture gets in and then it's all over but the shouting.

He also said to keep the cable in place until I can get a new one and then tape the two together at the bottom end and then use the old cable like a "wire fish" to bring the new one in. After it's in he said to take hydraulic hose and cut it length wise and tie-wrap it in place wherever there is a rub spot.

Thanks, everyone, for the ideas about where to get the new cable. :)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #34 –
Another way is to attach a small rope or electrical fish tape to the old cable .Pull the old cable out and leave the rope in it's place. That way you can match the new cable to the old before you install it. Gam
joseph gambaro
1999 U295 36'

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #35 –
Quote from: gam –
Another way is to attach a small rope or electrical fish tape to the old cable .Pull the old cable out and leave the rope in it's place. That way you can match the new cable to the old before you install it. Gam

Great idea! I think I have a good fish tape somewhere. Although measuring the cable in place is probably not all that difficult. As soon as the mountain bike trip is over I'll take a look at this method. Thanks. :)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #36 –
What length new cable are you going to pull in IF you have zero idea of the length??
half inch too short sure won't work, extra length will have to be squirreled away some place and might not be simple.  Might be able to have FOT have one made up for your build number.
Me, I like the idea of removing it with the fish tape pulled thru as you remove the old cable, then you know the length, have new made up and presto.
Not every shop can make those cables, but any large truck supplier would be my first guess. 
I had a pair made up for shifting the 10 speed trany in the MCI, they cost about $500 I think (20 years ago Memory)
The lighter model needed for the auto,  I would guess about the same.
I would go to the electric model.

Dave M

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #37 –
If you go back with cables I'd take a good look at the Teleflex Extreme line.  They take very little force even at long lengths and tight bends and last for years in saltwater.  A quick check shows you can get a 40' cable for $157.00.  They go up to 66'.  Definitely want to get the old one out to get an exact measure though, just pull in a messenger when you pull the cable.   
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Transmission Won't go Into Reverse

Reply #38 –
The project was finished this morning!!! I must say that it's been an adventure.

First of all... we did run a messenger when we pulled the old shifter cable out (from the rear). However pulling the new cable in turned out to be difficult because the old one was apparently put in before some of the other cabling in the channel and when it came out the others shifted and blocked us from simply pulling in the new one. So we had to open up a couple of the channel covers and pull it in that way. One compartment at a time.

Secondly... take photos of all the assemblies before you start disassembling the units. We discovered this when Sue (who has smaller hands and less inclination to percussive impulses) had to re-do the cab connections 9 times. Each time she thought something was up but it was, finally, a nut on the shaft that didn't belong.

Rig starts and shifts through the detents correctly. We are happy campers.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."