867 throttle cable proper lube?

[ebinmaine 67,608]

On Trina's Pigpen 867 we've been having a helluva time getting a throttle cable that doesn't stick/does work right. 

 

When we got it we went through the whole rig and did a very good mechanical restoration. 

One of the things changed was the old throttle cable to a good one we had here. 

Seems to me we tried 2 or 3....

Then left the least of the worst in there.  

 

That one never twist-locked quite right but Trina just tolerated that for a couple years. A few weeks ago we put a new one in I'd gotten from Pat's Small Engine..

Now it'll lock if you crank right on it but it's VERY difficult to push or pull. 

I believe we left it dry because I didn't want to get the wrong grease in the twist/lock mechanism and gum it all up. 

 

 

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

 

Thanks folks. 

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

I use some WD40 on my cables as it is good for rust prevention and doesn't attract dirt. Our if you are worried for dirt in the mechanism. I would suggest any Lock-lube. They lube, prevent rust. But are oil-less and  dirt preventing. as a lock has to be very clean.  Used that as well on the choke cable of our old timer cabrio.  

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

New or used cables.......I loosely put them in the bench vise with the knob hanging down.I drip good old 3-in-1 oil on the wire end for a couple days every time I walk by.3-in-1 oil was good enough for my late Mom's old Singer sewing machine,it's good enough for my tractor cables.I don't think it dries and or gums up either.

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

VERY difficult to push or pull. 

Just came up in me: check where the cable was cut. I fit is still perfectly round and not pinched. Have had the same happen to me.

Or maybe you clamped it down to hard?  Those cables new, should not need any lube to be easy to push and pull

Edited June 6, 2021 by Maxwell-8

[rjg854 11,385]

Another issue might possibly be the way it is routed. 

[ebinmaine 67,608]

29 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

Another issue might possibly be the way it is routed. 

I'd had that thought too. 

 

Checked pics on the site and it appears correct. 

Maybe the engine end is too sharp.  

[peter lena 8,634]

@ebinmaine, this should be an easy fix, I  always add a return spring on end linkage point  of a cable, that enhances its movement at every use , obviously maybe a re routing to eliminate any tight spots , and use  SUPER LUBE AEROSOL SPRAY TO SOAK DOWN THAT CABLE . always hang the cable to verify lube drip ,  that lube is good to - 40 , so its on the job . if nothing else just add a trial choice of end spring on that cable , light to heavier  once its starts to respond to pull and lube , you are on the way to smooth and easy cable response , just my own experience , pete  

[stevasaurus 22,764]

I think the correct lubricant is graphite.  WD-40 is not a lubricant, it is a water displacer.  3 in 1 or any other oil will collect dirt and gum up.  

[Handy Don 12,235]

28 minutes ago, stevasaurus said:

I think the correct lubricant is graphite.  WD-40 is not a lubricant, it is a water displacer.  3 in 1 or any other oil will collect dirt and gum up.  

I concur.

I've been experimenting with a before re-installation idea. I gently bend the spring outer sheath to open spaces and then powder it with graphite. I do this every inch or so for the full length and then with the cable straight I work the inner wire in and out a few times before installing. 

This has worked on two rusty cables on push lawnmower throttles that were barely moveable--it was a last ditch "if this doesn't work, then then junk 'em" idea and so far so good.

[peter lena 8,634]

@ebinmaine , https://www.amazon.com/s?k=super+lube+aerosol&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5PGFBhC2ARIsAIFIMNe8I3pRdg9A_J2qb8PH7WOjC44NO6bJct8EqRKu1y974TAQSFEZjd8aAow3EALw_wcB&hvadid=410020183434&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003307&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12982555763828418442&hvtargid=kwd-39191054389&hydadcr=954_1012856229&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_9oy7poqm53_e you might shop around on the price , got the best at local ,bearing distributor , spring was about 2" long on the linkage pull to carb linkage . pete

[Maxwell-8 4,277]

2 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

graphite

I believe that lock lube is mainly graphite. 

 

 

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,330]

On 6/6/2021 at 5:10 AM, ebinmaine said:

On Trina's Pigpen 867 we've been having a helluva time

 

Thoughts, comments, suggestions

  Usually a messed up throttle cable is a sure sign the whole machine is on its last leg. I’ve met both you and Trina, good folks, so here’s what I’m willing to do....I’ll take that pesky 867 off your hands before it just nickels and dimes you into the poorhouse. Now I wouldn’t do this for just anyone ya know! 
  I’m working in Maine every other week so I’ll even handle the pickup of this troublesome rig...no need to fret over any of the details 

[ebinmaine 67,608]

2 minutes ago, Sparky said:

  Usually a messed up throttle cable is a sure sign the whole machine is on its last leg. I’ve met both you and Trina, good folks, so here’s what I’m willing to do....I’ll take that pesky 867 off your hands before it just nickels and dimes you into the poorhouse. Now I wouldn’t do this for just anyone ya know! 
  I’m working in Maine every other week so I’ll even handle the pickup of this troublesome rig...no need to fret over any of the details 

 

 

BBT says thanks for the generous offer. She's thinking a little bit of lube REALLY should fix the problem.

She also wants you to know if she has PLENTY of nickels, and dimes.

 

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

 

 

 

[Handy Don 12,235]

17 minutes ago, Sparky said:

I’ll even handle the pickup of this troublesome rig

I'm getting my boots on now, it's gettin' kinda deep.

[tom2p 2,394]

been a while since I've had a stubborn cable - but when we did we often used :

 

ATF or ATF / acetone mix 

 

Lubriplate chain and cable lube 

 

 

More recently - I would also consider lubricants I've used primarily on bicycles - including Tri-Flow or Finish Line lubes etc 

 

I typically start with WD-40 - good spray of WD-40 can help to clean the surfaces and it does have some lubricating properties ...   WD-40 is a lubricant - just not a good / long lasting lubricant 

 

Edited June 7, 2021 by tom2p