Looking for a suggested vendor for the mechanical push/pull cable that runs between the cruise control vacuum actuator and throttle linkage for a 1990 Ford Thunderbird w/v-6 non-turbo engine.
P/N is thought to be F0SZ 9A 825 A
Ford parts shows this as obsolete, and I can't find anywhere on the internet except for one company in Germany that only sells to dealers.
End broke off the inner cable at the actuator end, and I still have all the pieces.
Any leads appreciated.
As a plan B I would consider taking the parts to a bicycle or motorcycle shop and having a replacement cable made. Has anyone done this, and were you satisfied with the result?
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Marine shops make up custome push-pull cables. It is a common item on remote-control engine and shift control systems.
I had a marine shop make up a replacement cable for the accessory lift on my old Wheel Horse mower. It was beefy, made from corrosion-resistant materials, and fit perfectly.
Is this a ball end? I've had the same quest for cruise control cables, there's righties and lefties, depending on which side the throttle lever sits. The same servo was used on a lot of Ford vehicles, you just have to make sure that you get the cable for the correct handedness of the throttle lever. Best bet is to scrounge the Ford patch in the local U-Pullit. You CAN alter the side the throttle lever ball snaps into, but it doesn't leave a lot of meat to hold the cable together. I did that on a trip, then scrounged in the junkyard for the correct cable. What usually happens is the vacuum diaphragm splits and you lose all functionality. Best to grab the works, including the plugs and brackets.
The throttle end has just a ring crimped on it, the servo end has a ball, on mine. It's a small stranded cable. I looked at taking it apart and replacing the throttle end with the original one, looks like all that would have to be done is to Dremel the crimp ring off and crunch a new one into place. I had no means to do that on the trip, so I just carved the shroud on the cable so it could be flipped to make the connection and headed home. Replacing the ball end would be tougher, looks like it's welded in place. One thing, shoot some LPS 2 down through the length of the sheath, keeps rust from getting a grab on the cable. I flushed it first with LPS 1, got a lot of rusty orange crap out. If the throttle body has a snow shield and it's missing, make sure you get a spare and replace it. On my vehicle, the throttle lever is right in the fan's air blast, shooting salt air right down the sheath. Needs that snow shield.
Popped the hood open expecting I would be able to replace a split hose. Can't even see the vac hoses and actuator.
Flex cable for the cruise control goes in the firewall and disappears.
Ace local mechanic says actuator is hidden in the left front wheel well behind the tire. To be fair, the engine compartment is crowded and this may have been the only location. Says he can replace and adjust is less than an hour if I can find the cable.
I still don't understand why Ford (and others) have to change the cables, linkages, ends, etc. every year. From conversation with some of the mechanics, it appears there were only minor changes in length and end fittings. A smart engineering management team would have standardized on one or two lengths and end fittings rather than allowing a proliferation of SKUs, with the resulting inventory control problems, etc. but this may be just another example of why the domestic [US] auto industry is going down the tubes.
Somewhat off topic, but in case you missed it, Detroit is now at the Capitol in Washington with a tin cup in hand asking for a total of 50 Billion $ in tax payer bail-out loan guarantees. To put this is context, GMs' total market cap [total value of all shares outstanding] is less than 10 billion.
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I should worry about John Edwards getting a little on the side????
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