While replacing my clutch, I destroyed one of the ends on a shift cable getting it unhooked from the ball on the bracket. When standing in front of the car and looking at the shifter bracket, it's the cable that's on the left side that attached at more of an angle....that's the one that I need. The one on the right is more flat, and uses a larger ball than the one on the left.

When trying to order a new cable.....they have left, and right cable. I'm assuming that I need a left cable?

 

I forgot to ask.......is there a way to just repair /replace the end that has the rubber isolated ball in it that snaps onto the stud on the shifter bracket?? You would think someone would make a fix instead of having to replace the entire $125+ cable.

 

There is no fix for the cables, you've got to buy a new cable.

Jump on realoem.com to confirm what cables you need, there was a change over mid model to a different cable variation, so you'll need to make sure you get the right ones.

We've got both options on hand if you need them. I recommend replacing them in pairs, some times having one "old stretched" cable and a new cable creates a funky shifting problem.

 

I was searching over the weekend online and it sounds like there are some repair kits for shifter cables on other cars where you can buy a new bushing that will just snap down into the cable....takes the place of the rubber isolator on the oem cables. Too bad nobody makes a repair kit like that for the minis.

As far as the cables go, are they a royal pain to replace?

 

I know what you mean, I was able to replace broken shift cable ends on my MKIV Jetta with billet inserts to decrease shifter slop and guarantee I'd never have to replace them again. That would be a nice option on these cars, especially with how many of those ballcups pop out of the cable with age and wear.

The cables aren't too bad of a job, it usually takes us just under an hour to replace both cables. You need to remove some heat shielding, airbox, move some stuff around in the engine bay, but it's a relatively easy job.

 

Sorry I'm so late to the post. I fixed mine with two washers and some small zip ties and super glue. Basically I super glued the damaged rubber insert, sandwiched the ring end with the washers and wrapped two or three small zip ties around the whole mess after reassembly. Cheap and easy. If for some reason it all comes apart; zip ties are cheap.

 

I actually ended up doing something similar. I took a washer, and tack welded it to the back side of the cable, and then I cleaned all of the rubber off of the center insert that snaps onto the ball on the transmission linkage and welded it to the washer. It's basically a solid bushing setup now...now rubber insert. It should last forever

 

Dang straight. Should never worry about that one again!