Morse control cable ends

[donm]

I have replaced my Morse side lever as I could not get it apart to service it. Looking at the control cables the gear control cable is a bit tired and as I have to remove plenty of bits to disconnect it before I can connect to the lever, I will change it whilst I am head down in the bilges. It is connected with a pivot but I see that control cable suppliers sell a ball jointed connector which will not have the alignment risks that come with a rigid pivot that only allows movement in one direction. Anyone used a ball joint? The gear lever is not difficult to engage but it would be great to learn that my nervousness is unfounded!

 

[scottie]

As far as the control end is concerned replace like with like other wise you alter the geometry and make jam the control
By replacing a short pivot with a longer ball joint for example
There is likely financial penalty in using balljoint
The engine end is not so fussy but why reinvent the wheel

 

[Neeves]

I would agree with scottie.

However if you defined what vessel you own and maybe add some pictures of your cable routing you might get additional comment

If a cable is looking old and tired - maybe that's because the yacht is old - the fac t the cable is old should reassure you it had a long and prolonged life. By all means change it, the morse cable, but leave it routed the way it has worked for years.

If you change the cable the length is usually printed on the side of the cover (usually in a total inaccessible location). When you pull the old cable out - it depends how complex is the istaallation but add a mousing cord as you extract (makes it easier to re-install) and take a picture of the connections at both ends - memory can play tricks (that's why you have a fancy phone )


Don't junk the old cable(s), the stainless steel wire inside the cover makes a marvellous splicing fid or keep the old cable in case you have a failure.

Jonathan

 

[BobnLesley]

...Don't junk the old cable(s)... keep the old cable in case you have a failure.

And if space allows, leave them exactly where they are, tagged alongside the new one with a few cable ties; it saves storage space and they're already threaded/correctly routed if ever that moment arrives.

 

[donm]

Thanks for the replies but I am very familiar with installation of control cables but had noticed that the various suppliers offer a ball jointed connector, and I was just enquiring whether anyone had experience of them as they don't seem to me to be likely to provide a positive engagement of the gear lever. So I will stick with the pivot connector.
Thanks for answering