Originally Posted by ClydeClydeson

This is a long-known issue. The design of the old FDs was a definite 'error trap', and the resulting incorrect assembly causes known issues - heavy lever feel, bad indexing, and potential damage to the cable housing. The crazy kinked cable is sort of 'level 1' of housing damage. As the plastic jacket ages and becomes more brittle, the wire structure of the housing is likely to break through and create a 'squirrel cage' effect.

Old Suntour derailleurs had the same cable anchor design, and their X-Press shifters, when coupled with this common incorrect FD cable routing, would violently snap back and try to tear your thumbnail off.