Heater flap operating wire

I assume you mean something similar, rather than 2ft of the actual wire used by the manufacturers.

3 suggestions. Try a model shop. Similar wire is used for RC aircraft control rods. Piano wire can be bought in various gauges. Try a good 'Small tool Supplies' Co. Or, a couple of bicycle spokes, unless you need it in one length. Mike.

If he's going to a bike shop, then bicycle brake (or gearchange) cable would be a closer match.

I assumed it was a push/pull system so piano wire is the thing. Bike brakes usually have bowden cable which is pull only.

Oops, you're right of course. Lawn mower throttle cable could be an option then.

Thanks all. Model aircraft control wire was just what I needed.

Rob

Just out of curiosity, what's it for? Replacement for lost, or broken ones on a car, or project? If it's of any use, model shops can also supply little plastic clips to retain formed rods to their operating levers. Saves making a double bend on the rod, and can be easier to fit. Mike.

I have an old Merc, and the heater flaps are operated by these wires. One bent so often that it got soft, so needed renewing. I couldn't think where to get wires, apart from Mercs themselves. So I posted and got your excellent reply. I've freed the levers that operate the flaps so the wires don't have so much work to do (they were badly corroded). They now operate like a dream. The end of the wire is simply bent round into a little coil that slips over the protruding pin on the lever.

Thanks again

Rob

And thank you for satisfying my curiosity. Mike.

just out of interest, Mercedes are probably the best mainstream manufacturer when it comes to parts availability. I've bought some weird bits for old Mercs from MB main agents and they tend to be reasonably priced - although a velour seat base cover for a 500 SEL was going to be around £400. Even then, I suppose that's not too bad when you take into consideration the initial price of a 500 SEL...

I think you're right although I don't know all manufacturers. I've never had a serious problem in getting parts but something like a piece of wire seemed to me available elsewhere, and so it was.

Things change, tho', and for example I found years ago that the wheel cylinder rubbers could be found under a Lockheed part number from some commercial vehicle or other. However, now I'm told that rubbers aren't available, only the whole wheel cylinder - which is very unlikely to fit my car. I'm not actually wanting these things at the moment and this information cropped up in conversation, but I can see that this might be a problem in the future. And the other thing is that some parts are getting expensive, over £50 for a wiper blade!

Rob