C8 Convertible HTC Cable Failures
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 978
Likes: 438
From: South Central Pennsylvania
- Abrasion of the cable at the box top plate
- Poor feral connector at the cable end in the box.
- Extreme resistance in an un lubricated cable housing that causes higher than expected force at the end of the cable and causing #1 and or #2.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 10,229
From: Garden Valley CA
I had my HTC for 13,000 miles now and have put the top up a minimum of 500 times if not 700+ times or more. No issues so far. My point is that this known issue with the cables would not deter me from buying a HTC again. The recent solutions make me believe so even more that I would purchase again. I do believe that the cables should be more robust. I have not looked in great detail of the whole design of the mechanism, but my theories on the cause of them snapping are:
- Abrasion of the cable at the box top plate
- Poor feral connector at the cable end in the box.
- Extreme resistance in an un lubricated cable housing that causes higher than expected force at the end of the cable and causing #1 and or #2.
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
I recently bought an HTC and noticed that the folding nacelle tips don't extend and retract in sync with each other. They are off from each other like half of a second. After some examination I noticed that the one that retracts later has much more slop in the cable that runs to the pivot bracket than the other side. The one that retracts earlier has very little slop close to none. This makes me wonder how they are controlling the cable lengths when they cut and attach the retainers during manufacturing. If they vary quite a bit in length from cable to cable, I can definitely see situations where there is no slop to negative slop (binding) which would cause significant stress on the cable and retainers which would eventually cause them to snap. The out of sync folding bothers me but I'm unsure if I should request them replace the cable for one that could possibly end up snapping.
Last edited by IDBNVS2; Dec 19, 2024 at 04:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 978
Likes: 438
From: South Central Pennsylvania
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1,200
From: DFW
Well, the stock cable has slipped in the crimp. I don't think that the cable on the car is actually 1/16". That is the size of the cable that I bought and the crimps that I used, very close but doesn't feel exact. Still operational, but not happy with it. Going to bite the bullet and get a replacement cable. Hopefully GM comes up with a better design.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 125
Likes: 29
I don't have a part in front of me but if the cable is similar to a bike brake cable, and just has a metal **** on the end that has broken off inside the black composite housing... the answer depends on if there is enough cable left to use to re-secure it. If there is, you can ball up the end or crimp something else on it and epoxy it all together, and it can be just as strong (but look goofy). If there's not enough cable to work with, you're stuck.
The real thing to look out for is a update to the part. Will be interesting to see if it's a quality problem with the cables or a design problem that needs a stronger cable end.
Edit - eh, there's a picture further above that shows the cable looks to have a disc or T on the end of it, that the held in place by the black box. So 99% chance they're breaking off at that connector. In that picture you can see the little end **** inside the box, with the cable fed through the slot. I wonder if some cars are a little out of alignment or something gets bent and the cable is rubbing on the black slot and side loading the cable a little back and forth. Cables like this won't last long with that happening.
The real thing to look out for is a update to the part. Will be interesting to see if it's a quality problem with the cables or a design problem that needs a stronger cable end.
Edit - eh, there's a picture further above that shows the cable looks to have a disc or T on the end of it, that the held in place by the black box. So 99% chance they're breaking off at that connector. In that picture you can see the little end **** inside the box, with the cable fed through the slot. I wonder if some cars are a little out of alignment or something gets bent and the cable is rubbing on the black slot and side loading the cable a little back and forth. Cables like this won't last long with that happening.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
This just happened to my 2024 HTC with 5300 miles. Except, BOTH cables broke at the same time?? And, it just so happens that it occurred within hours after getting the first complementary oil change performed at the dealer. Coincidence? WTH?
Is there a TSB on this about an improved design/part?
Is there a TSB on this about an improved design/part?
Last edited by rome5982corvette; Jan 30, 2025 at 09:35 PM.
Drifting
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Drifting
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From: Cincinnati OH
Le Mans Master
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 295
From: Overland Park KS
This just happened to my 2024 HTC with 5300 miles. Except, BOTH cables broke at the same time?? And, it just so happens that it occurred within hours after getting the first complementary oil change performed at the dealer. Coincidence? WTH?
Is there a TSB on this about an improved design/part?
Is there a TSB on this about an improved design/part?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 1,323
From: Melbourne Florida’s Barrier Islands
Cables are very complex, I’m surprised any car company or boat builder can make a cable that doesn’t fail after a few dozen uses. This might be a job for a joint venture between Elon Musk and the Lockheed Skunkworks. Worry not, I will call them and see if it is possible and what it will cost.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 1,134
From: Cincinnati OH
Cables are very complex, I’m surprised any car company or boat builder can make a cable that doesn’t fail after a few dozen uses. This might be a job for a joint venture between Elon Musk and the Lockheed Skunkworks. Worry not, I will call them and see if it is possible and what it will cost.
