Wow no replies. Well I was able to confirm my suspicions with the help of the nice folks at NPD. I had them pull one of their cables and compare it to a picture of my cable I faxed to them. The crimp in the center definately is not supposed to be there. So I plan to see if I can loosen it and get it to slide up to the threaded rod. Or maybe remove it all together. But, I'm afraid if I remove it the threaded rod may pull through the spring. I may also be able to put a different crimp on the cable next to th threaded rod. Or just buy a new cable from NPD.