Ultrex pull cable replacement?

[rangerranger]

Well, the pull cable on my Ultrex broke out on the water today. It broke a couple inches from the pull cable clamp (opposite end of cable from the handle.)

I had a TH Marine cable on board but couldn’t figure out how to install it on the water. The only videos I have seen used the old cable to thread the new one through. Since my cable broke I couldn’t use that method.

Fortunately I was able to use a screwdriver to release the bar and get the motor stowed so I could get the boat on the trailer.

Is there any easy way to install a new cable? Trying to decipher the Minn Kota manual it looks like I may need to remove the gas shock pin and the steering module to get at the cable. Is that correct? If so it seams crazy. It was easy to replace the rope/cable on my old Fortrex on the water.

I think I also need a replacement gas shock. My motor is much heavier to lift than those of my friends. Is that a do it yourself project or do I need to get it to a service center?

My Ultrex is going on 4 years old and is out of warranty.

I live in Austin, TX and the nearest service center is an hour away, and I imagine they have a backlog.

Appreciate any help I can get!
thanks

[MichAngler]

Feeding a new cable back through the bracket without the original to pull/guide it through can be a pain on or off the water but it can be done

Are you sure it broke or did the screw clamp come loose?
Might look to see if it fell back in the boat

As for the shock that is even harder to deal with especially the old screws with the permanent thread lock on them
If you attempt this get a heat gun and heat the screws up to try and melt the thread lock

Personally I would call the ASC and have them order the parts and set up an appointment to have the work done
P.S. while they are there have them replace the bushing after 4 years there is a good chance they need replacement as well

[rangerranger]

Yep, it broke a couple inches from the cable clamp. I was able to get the clamp and remnant cable out.
I probably need to get a full service at the ASC, but I would sure like to at least figure out how to get the replacement cable in so I can fish this weekend.

Hate to be out of commission while it sits at the shop during the spawn. ����

[MichAngler]

You can take the retainer bolt out and remove the motor it does give you a little more room to work

Try and give the cable a nice bend in it and feed through

If that doesn’t work get some bailing wire and see if you can bend/feed that trough and use it as a fish wire

If and when you do get it to pop through feed a lot of extra through so you can grab it and install the clamp

[John Jones JTM]

the end of the cable can be fashioned with a pair of pliers to go through the barrel that holds the the cable on. after that, tighten the 2 set screws and you're done

[Idaho Sandman]

This is a super easy fix on or off the water. A long narrow flat head screw driver helps with guiding the cable into the second hole of the release mechanism. Should take about 5 min tops. The shock is also an easy replacement, no need for an ASC for either. If the locktite is set up making screw removal difficult just hit the screw with a solder gun, not a heat gun, to heat the screw only softening the loctite. Install new shock and done. That’s about a 15min fix.

[MichAngler]

Interesting I never considered a soldering Iron Nice!