Hi,

I've got a Mk1 Ford Focus, petrol with manual gearbox. It's an old one a V reg and I'm having a major issue.

The cable that connects the gearbox to the gearstick pops off when going into second gear. From my research it's being called a gear linkage cable. I've been in touch with my local Ford dealer and they want a stupid amount of money for this cable which seems from research to have a common design fault. Does anyone know where to get new cables from to solve this problem at a reasonable price? I have someone who will fit it so that's not an issue but I refuse to pay nearly £300 for a cable and labour to fit a second hand one that'll end up going as well before long.

Another question I have is this. Is it possible to use a gearstick and cable setup from a Mk2 or higher model? The newer models seemed to have had a redesign of this cable system which from pictures I've seen seem to be a lot better than the Mk1 version.

I'd appreciate any help as soon as possible as right now the cars unusable.

Thanks.
Baz.

 

What size engine do you have? and what fuel does it take? so i know what gearbox it has, Secondly ive got to say its a massive massive pain in the arse to change these as you have to remove the whole front end of the inside of the car (dash steering colum heater matrix ect)

 

I did put on my original post, it's a 1.4L petrol with manual gearbox.

I did figure that it'd be a big job to replace them, from my research they have to go up under the dash and in through the firewall to the engine compartment. It's not too much of a problem as the guy who is going to be doing the job for me rebuilds landrovers from the ground up so he's got all the equipment needed. Just wondered if there's a better system to replace the standard MK1 with so the job doesn't need doing again after another short time because of the shoddy parts Ford used on the Mk1 Focus. The Mk2 and above seem so much better and hardier components so shouldn't go that quickly. It's why I asked if it's possible to use the Mk2 gearstick and cable assembly in a Mk1 Focus. I can get the whole assembly on Ebay cheaper than I can the cable itself from Ford and a second hand cable on Ebay which seems odd.