Gearbox Control Cable Replacement

[Dmitriy]

Hi All,

One of my gearbox control cables has snapped (the one actuated when I move the lever forward-backward).

Do I pull it into the cabin or out of the cabin when replacing it with a new one?

Does the car need to be lifted?

Many thanks,

Dmitriy

[Dmitriy]

Have just had it replaced within about 2hrs. The access is only possible from underneath the car.

A used cable set cost me £30. A brand-new cable set would cost £270.

[Konrad C]

Have just had it replaced within about 2hrs. The access is only possible from underneath the car.

A used cable set cost me £30. A brand-new cable set would cost £270.

Dmitriy, you sorted it yourself. Well done.

Has the replacement cable made a difference to the gear change? Was there any indication that the cable was about to snap - like difficulty in selecting gears?

My problem is that I sometimes have slight problem changing from second to third. I have to pull the lever to the right as I push it forward to get the correct gate. Third to fourth is okay and visa versa.

The gearbox oil was changed a few weeks and the cables were greased on the selecter side. I only sprayed the cables at the gearsbox end, and it improved the shift.

I think the cables after 12.5 years are on the way out.

One more question. Where did you source the cable set?

[Dmitriy]

Have just had it replaced within about 2hrs. The access is only possible from underneath the car.

A used cable set cost me £30. A brand-new cable set would cost £270.

Dmitriy, you sorted it yourself. Well done.

Has the replacement cable made a difference to the gear change? Was there any indication that the cable was about to snap - like difficulty in selecting gears?

My problem is that I sometimes have slight problem changing from second to third. I have to pull the lever to the right as I push it forward to get the correct gate. Third to fourth is okay and visa versa.

The gearbox oil was changed a few weeks and the cables were greased on the selecter side. I only sprayed the cables at the gearsbox end, and it improved the shift.

I think the cables after 12.5 years are on the way out.

One more question. Where did you source the cable set?

Hi Konrad C,

With this car I have never had any issues around changing gears. It was perfect up to the moment when the cable snapped, and is perfect again now that it is replaced. As the car is 10 years old I think I'm quite lucky. I owned another Avensis before this one (made in 1998) and had a few issues with the gearbox but it was mostly the noise coming out of it, probably from a damaged bearing - and yes at times changing gears wasn't easy. When it started sounding as if it's just about to break apart I swapped that Avensis for a bit newer one.

My gear changing style was quite abusive though, so I wasn't too much surprised when the cable snapped. Learning to be a lot more gentle with the lever now.

I bought the cable set at eBay then found another one at a nearby scrapyard and bought and fitted the latter. This morning the former arrived and I would offer it to you but it's partly damaged so I'm returning it to the seller. I also got a quote from www.247spares.co.uk around GBP50 including VAT and shipping. You can also go and request it at www.partsgateway.co.uk. These are all used though, do talk to them and ask all the details about the condition you can possibly think of.