sikest

I installed a set of Numeric Racing cables and shifter in my 2008 Targa 4S yesterday. The improvement was dramatic to say the least and I could not be happier with the results but...

I get a ton of noise from the cables but only in 1st gear. It almost sounds like the cable is rubbing on the front drive shaft but I see no clearance issues. I installed the rubber tubing on the cables per Numeric's guidelines. I replaced the bulkhead grommet and insulated the cables as well.

I removed the center console and parking brake again this morning. Moving the cables around makes no difference. Removing them from he shifter with the car in 1st and moving the cables in and out to change the length on the engine side made no change. Separating the cables totally in the cabin made no difference. High or low engine load makes no difference. Noise is at all RPMs.

2nd-6th gear and reverse make no noticeable noise at all. I am pretty stumped at this point. Suggestions?

sikest

Here is an example of the noise... I am at a loss right now. Its sounds like exhaust but its from the shifter and cable installation. Factory shifter and cables never made noise.

cwheeler

Baffling.

rtl5009

I would bet the cable for the shifters forward back motion is not fully seated in the trans bracket which is causing an angle where it exits the cable housing and it can vibrate on the housing.

pull the rubber seals up and verify the cable isn’t coming in contact with the sides.

frybear

I don’t hear any noise shifting from first to second. What am I missing?

cwheeler

The insane noise while in first gear, that's what you're missing.

frybear

Ah! For some reason I was listening for the noise only when shifting...gotcha. That is odd...

DZ Carrera

Call Numeric and ask if you can exchange the cables.

sikest

Thanks for all the replies.

1) I can verify that everything in the cabin is seated properly.
2) Totally separating the cables makes no difference.
3) There is no contact with the front drive shaft (its a 4S)
4) I will get her back on the lift tomorrow and check how the cables are seated on the transmission side.

I will say the shifting action with the shifter and cables is amazing. Such a dramatic improvement over stock!

frybear

Agreed. Installing the Numeric is my favorite mod on this car. I did not do the cables yet and now I'm going to wait for your update...do you have your shifter on the lowest position or middle? I haven't tried the lowest yet.

cwheeler

Does it make the same noise in reverse?

sikest

I have mine in the middle position so no interference with the carpet below. Might try the lower position but I need to get this sorted out first.

sikest

No, reverse is noise free... even if I put on some speed.

sikest

** UPDATE ** Still baffled

I pulled the console and under trays and could not find anything that was not seated.

I disconnected all the ends, pulled the grommet out again, checked the alignment of the cables, made sure they were not binding, verified that I can select all the gears from under the car, re-seated cables at the transmission and shifter, went through the adjustment process again which included verifying that the cables could go slightly past the travel, made sure everything was tight. I made sure the top cable went through the grommet at the top and bottom right under it. I verified that there is no contact with the front drive shaft, pulled all the insulator hose that came with the kit and reinstalled, realigned and....

Once again it shifts like a dream but first gear makes the same noise as in the video. I called Numeric and put in a ticket but have not heard back yet. I am 100% baffled at this point.

sikest

** Day 3 Update **

After redoing the cables twice I started to question if the issue was somewhere else in the car. I loaded the car on the lift backwards, locked the transmission in 1st gear, disconnected the cables at the transmission and taped them to the brace.

I then drove the car around in 1st and the noise is totally gone. So, in conclusion either one of the components is bad, my installation was somehow incorrect or I have the wrong part for my vehicle.

Still waiting on a call back from Numeric. Hopefully they can help me get this sorted out.

** So now update 4 ** I just installed the side to side cable. That is where the noise is coming from not the fore/aft cable. So weird its silent in reverse, and 2nd-6th. First gear sounds like a motorboat.