How to lube engine control cables?

[Rich Stidger]

My owner manuals indicate that simply lubricating the mechanism at the console and putting lube on the exposed cables at the engine end is sufficient.Is this really true? Is there a way to force a liquid lube inside of the cable casing to lubricate the entire cable? I used to lubricate the clutch cable on my motorcycle using a special clamp that had a rubber seal that was attached to the end of the cable. A liquid lube was then connected to the clamp with a plastic nozzle and the lube was forced in one end of the cable and out the other.Has anyone done anything like this?

 

[Don Guillette]

I could not lube the cables on my 1981 C30. I did lube the bottom ends but they got cruddy anyway and I ended up replacing them. The shift cable picked the worse possable time to jamb up. It stuck in forward just before I was about to enter my slipway. I had seconds to determine what was wrong and turn out into the turning basin. I could not free it up so I entered the slip way and just shut the engine off at the point I normally shift to neutral. I knew I only had one shot it but I got it in safely.

 

[John Nantz]

Use a Wire Through Top of Pedestal

A trick I use to lube hard-to-reach cables in the pedestal is to take a length of wire (like a relatively stiff bailing wire), remove the compass, and put the wire down inside the pedestal to touch the push-pull cable, without touching anything else in between, and then take your lubricant (a runny type like AGS Kable-Ease vice some sticky grease stuff) and put some drops on the wire and the drips will run down the wire until they touch the cable you want to lube and then the drop will run down the cable. Work the cable handle a few times then repeat as needed. It might seem a little slow (actually, it is) but it eventually gets the job done and it beats dismantleing the helm!It would be nice if they had a little access port in the side of the pedestal.Hope this helps.

 

[Gord May]

Cable Lube' Tool / Jig

Most (push-pull) Control Cables should NOT require lubrication, especially those with ‘Teflon’ linings (typical). Most manufacturers recommend AGAINST lubricating push-pull cables.If your certain that the cable jacket is undamaged, is properly installed (no bends tighter than min. 6" radius), and all operating joints are free and smooth you might consider internal lubrication as a last resort (prior to cable replacement):You’ll need an Oil Injection Jig to properly lube’ an older-type cable. Morse used to have a Control Cable Lube’ Kit (for use on their “Std. Red Jacket” Cables Only); but I haven’t seen them around for years.Here’s one I’ve seen ‘Bikers’ use.Champions Choice Cable Care Power Injection System:http://www.protectall.com/cable_life.htm -&- http://www.protectall.com/cablelif2.htmFWIW,Gord

 

[Rich Stidger]

Thanks for the ideas

I will check the type of cable that I have and see if it is recommended to be lubed.I have one of the type of cable oil injection devices that Gord mentioned- it's what I used on my motorcycle clutch cable. I may try that if it looks like lubing is desireable.

 

[Mike4116]

check motorcycle accessory catalogues

I have seen fittings which wrap around push-pull cables used on motocycles, riding lawn mowers, etc. These are machines which operate in outdoor environments like boats and need the cables lubed periodically. The lube, hose and fitting are sold as a unit and are fairly reasonble. Good hunting.Mike

 

[kendall]

oiling cables

What I've done is the same way I do cycle cables, unhook and elevate one end of the cable, the snip a corner off a sandwich bag, and tape or rubber band it around the end of the cable, put some suitable oil/lube in the bag and let it hang for a short while untill the oil drips out of the lower end. It's not fast by a long shot, but it works good and makes the cables last longer.Ken.