Wire fishing

[CocoLoco]

I had a little scrape last week and lost a mirror boom. Doing the repairs and I'm having some difficulty fishing the wiring back through the narrow opening between the stay and the faring. Anyone got any tips? Is there an inexpensive tool that will help push/pull the wiring thru? Maybe lube it?

 

[dowlinginchico]

I am not exactly sure what you are trying to fish through, but generally I like extra large (and long) zip ties to help fish wires. They are pretty stiff, yet flexible. Coat hangers if I need something extra stiff for pushing.

EDIT: If the cable/wire is thick and hard to manage, try fishing a string or thin wire through first, then use that to fish the final cable through.

 

[CocoLoco]

The wiring from the integrated signal/mirror boom has to be threaded between the faring and the faring stay. It's a tight fit and I was worried about it when I pulled it out for the repairs. I got the end of one of the connectors shoved through to the tip. I just can't get enough purchase with my fingers to pull it the rest of the way through and was wondering what others would do. I've never done anything like this before. I've pulled wire through conduit but you don't really have to worry too much about harming the wire. I don't want to have to replace the connectors. Fishing a line through the opposite way is a bit tricky as well. I don't think it's a nice, well-defined channel so it could go off in odd directions. I was wondering if there is a tool. A flexible length of metal with a small yoke or "c" attached to the end. Pop the wire into the yoke near the connector and then use a bit of fanagling and force to shove it through.

 

[CocoLoco]

I am not exactly sure what you are trying to fish through, but generally I like extra large (and long) zip ties to help fish wires. They are pretty stiff, yet flexible. Coat hangers if I need something extra stiff for pushing.

EDIT: If the cable/wire is thick and hard to manage, try fishing a string or thin wire through first, then use that to fish the final cable through.

That's what I'm thinking as well. What about applying a bit of lube/grease to the connectors before fishing them through? Do you know if that would be okay as well?

 

[zixaq]

I mean, there is definitely a special tool for this, literally called fish tape, but is overkill for this task.

Zipties and finger skin and patience.

 

[CocoLoco]

I mean, there is definitely a special tool for this, literally called fish tape, but is overkill for this task.

Zipties and finger skin and patience.

Thanks. I figured it'd require patience after fiddling with it for a good 15 minutes. Will post up after I've gotten it done. I don't think ziptie is going to work. Not really any way to attach a ziptie to the wires without making the whole thing impossibly large for shoving through the passage.

 

[dravnx]

Extract the pins/wires from the connector and then reinstall after you push it through.

 

[RVFRick]

The wiring from the integrated signal/mirror boom has to be threaded between the faring and the faring stay. It's a tight fit and I was worried about it when I pulled it out for the repairs. I got the end of one of the connectors shoved through to the tip. I just can't get enough purchase with my fingers to pull it the rest of the way through and was wondering what others would do. I've never done anything like this before. I've pulled wire through conduit but you don't really have to worry too much about harming the wire. I don't want to have to replace the connectors. Fishing a line through the opposite way is a bit tricky as well. I don't think it's a nice, well-defined channel so it could go off in odd directions. I was wondering if there is a tool. A flexible length of metal with a small yoke or "c" attached to the end. Pop the wire into the yoke near the connector and then use a bit of fanagling and force to shove it through.

From what I understand the problem to be I'd consider these options:

1 Dravnx has a great suggestion. Just make sure you remember which wire goes where then disassemble wires from the connector. If you've never done this before, research it - there is a bit of finesse to it.

2 Loosen or remove the fairing connection to the stay to create more work room.

3 Try tweezers, hemostat, needle nose pliers, etc. to grasp and pull connector through.

4 Silicone or dielectric grease on the outside of the connector exterior and the hole interior. Electrical department of a hardware store or an auto store will have it.

5 If the interference is minimal (need just 1mm more room), file or sandpaper down the connector housing or enlarge the hole.

Good luck!

 

[CocoLoco]

Thanks, Rick. These are the suggestions I was looking for.
Also, thanks to everyone else who responded.