flex cable failure

[Johnc]

My Blackjack 29v3 had a flex cable failure at the motor end and in doing so messed up the stuffing tube. I am the process of taking it all apart and using a dremel cutoff wheel to cut the damaged end and flex shaft (end of flex is all wound up and not able to remove) I'm going to have to cut approximate 3/8" off the stuffing tube. Would I be able to get by without replacing the whole tube? There would be about 3/4" space to the collet. Looks like it be a pain in the butt to remove it. there's quite a bit of epoxy holding it in and grinding it I would be afraid of going through the hull.

Thanks,
John

[Johnc]

I believe that the cable just corroded and it was just a matter of time. It's the original about 5-6 years old.

[fweasel]

3/4" of unsupported flex cable between the stuffing tube and collet should be fine, assuming proper alignment and quality parts. You can always switch to a longer style, higher quality collet to take up some of the gap.