I remember doing my clutch cable not too long ago. I also remember having a really had time with the connections @ the petal being different than what I read in the book... not to mention the tight squeeze of getting my head & shoulders in there ...
I'll try & rack my brain ... seems to me there was a spring-clip rather than a cotter pin, or something like that ... the rest went fairly well - took maybe 2 hours WITH the trip to the hardware store for another clip.
Mine is an aftermarket ... so far so good, but like I say - less than 2 months ago... (gulp).
After getting an $11 key copied and a $18 fusible link from the dealer, I didn't even ask about the clutch cable ...