...on this one, Josh. I've had two aftermarket clutch cables shear off at the bellhousing on me. Wasn't pleasant the first time (I was in the middle of nowhere and got towed home); the second time happened while my wife was driving. I had to rescue her with a spare 'stock' cable and jackstands, etc. I've learned my lesson -- nothing but the original cable from Volvo. I got mine from George at TVK.

As Dave says, the stock cable will enable you to properly mount the metal plate and rubber block at the throw-out arm. Lubing the ball end of the cable will enable it to pass through the hole in the rubber block.

One last thought, and this is pretty rare from what I gather on the 'board, but it happened to me on my '83 and it took over a year to diagnose --> Check that black sheet metal plate on your firewall through which the clutch cable passes. On my '83 a crack formed between the hole for the cable and the edge of the plate. When I pressed the clutch pedal, the metal plate would deform. I adjusted the cable I don't know how many times until I finally figured out what was going on. Like you, I thought the throw-out arm was bending and ready to snap. The solution was to make a replacement plate out of 1/16" sheet metal and bolt it on. If you find you've got this problem, get back to me and I'll give you fabrication details.

Rob Kuhlman