lost plastic tube on aft end of lower shift cable

[Alumarine]

As the title says, I "misplaced" the white plastic tube on the aft end of my new lower shift cable.
I put it in a good place for "safe" keeping. It is indeed safe wherever it is.

I have an old one that is almost complete except the threaded portion is broken off and gone.
Is it ok to just use that? Is the length that critical?

Here's a picture that BT Doctor put up somewhere.

 

[Rick Stephens]

The white tube is crimped into the housing end. It shouldn't come off. I would guess that if you care about reliability you should replace the lower cable.

Rick

 

[meder24]

On the new cable I just installed, the plastic tube was threaded and screwed out of the brass fitting. This eliminated the need for the special long socket.

I did not lose mine, but I would check a local marine store. It is quite possible they have an extra one lying around or even can take one of a used cable they replaced.

 

[Alumarine]

I ended up tapering the end slightly of my old broken one, putting it in hot water to soften it and threading it in to the brass fitting.
It now extends 1-5/16" from the brass fitting.
I'm guessing it's 3/16" to 1/4" shorter than the one I put away for safe keeping.

Great idea about getting a leftover from a dealer, thanks!

 

[Alumarine]

Thanks for the great idea meder24.
I went to my dealer and got one from an old cable.