It's clear that to work efficiently, the hear cables are best run through the steel tubes. That way the cable ends are secured neatly so the inner cable can work as designed. However, I could not get my old cables out of the steel tubes as they were rusted into place. I've managed it and thought I would explain it here as it may help others. There is a section of steel tube which is unsupported and runs under the floor pan. Using an angle grinder with 1mm gutting disc I cut this section out which divides the tube into three roughly equal lengths. Using long nosed pliers I manged to grab the end of the cable and pull it out about 1cm which was enough to get a large pair of vice pliers on it. Then I managed to get enough pull on the pliers to free the cable and pull it out. I repeated the process on the other two sections and the tube is clear! It wasn't easy but it is possible. I now plan to machine up some short plastic tubes that slide over the two cut ends under the van, lift the free section of pipe back into place, and slide the tubes back slighly to join the ends of the tubes together. Finally, before pushing the new cable through I'm thinking of filling the tube with waxoil. Hope that helps.
hi Juneau i am in the process of painting under my van and refurbishing the heating , having read about extracting the old cables i dreaded it , however i could not believe my luck , the old cables pulled out , as easy as the wife sliding a fiver out my wallet, i take on Pony,s advise re greasing the new cable as my old cables were smoothed in grease, i am certain the work of the previous cable changer paid dividends for me , one i repeated by again smothering the new cables with grease whilst fitting .
after i had loads of trouble getting mine out. I sacrificed a new one and just pulled it back and forth to loosen as much of the rust as poss. Then did as said above, put as much grease as possible into the tubes.
