Looking for Flap Cables

[hharney]

While doing the inspection on the flap cables the idea came up to photograph the cable and then take the opportunity to zoom in on the photo for a closer detailed look. Anyone have any thoughts on this method?

I am having a very difficult time trying to find a visible issue that indicates the cables are compromised. I understand that it is difficult to detect the possible broken strand without removing the cable. I question if once the cable is removed and inspected could the strands break while inspecting? With the cable in such a tight bend for so many years does the opposite bending for inspection break the strands?

Did the known failures of these flap cables give any indication of problems before they failed? Was the maintenance documented and were the cables inspected to the degree that these photos reveal? Do the cable just fail or is there visible compromising of the material before it happens?