First Time it Left me Stranded

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 16, 2013 | 09:00 AM

mechelement

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 3,330

Likes: 13

From: Eaton, CO

First Time it Left me Stranded

Throttle cable snapped at the pedal. Waiting for a tow now.

Sep 16, 2013 | 09:52 AM

RA31925

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 1,229

Likes: 1

That sucks! I wouldn't count that as my truck leaving me stranded, though. Cables wear out. I've had more than one clutch cable do that to me.

Sep 16, 2013 | 10:14 AM

mechelement

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 3,330

Likes: 13

From: Eaton, CO

$112 at the dealer.

Sep 16, 2013 | 03:52 PM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 65,579

Likes: 5,611

From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

that is why i always have a very small pair of vice grips in the truck. just clamp on the end of the cable and off you go.
i have done it 3 times so far, twice on my 88 and once on my nephews 4.9 powered 88 F-250

Sep 16, 2013 | 05:46 PM

mechelement

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 3,330

Likes: 13

From: Eaton, CO

It's the OEM unit. 28 years old. Probably a bit fatigued.

Sep 16, 2013 | 11:27 PM

kobaltblue

Elder User

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 915

Likes: 0

From: Sweet home Alabama

Summit racing I payed 35.00. Yep it part of the survival gear vise grips, duct tape bailing wire, long leather shoe strings, fuel filter assorted socket set and fluids.

Sep 17, 2013 | 08:16 AM

Chevy_Eater

Logistics Pro

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 4,221

Likes: 17

I broke a throttle cable on an old Toyota pickup once, ('67 Stout), I just ran some twine from the carb through the firewall into the cab. Just had to pull on it for throttle. Being a standard transmission, (4 on the tree!), it was awkward to say the least, but it got me home.

Sometimes you just have to MacGyver it.

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Joe Kucinski

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Brett Foote

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

Pouria Savadkouei

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Brett Foote

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Joe Kucinski

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Brett Foote

Sep 17, 2013 | 12:40 PM

Country_boy_2007

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 1,347

Likes: 0

From: Kville, ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechelement

Throttle cable snapped at the pedal. Waiting for a tow now.

same thing happened to me, but it broke at the IP...good thing I had a roll of wire and some zip ties

Sep 22, 2013 | 11:19 AM

#10

mechelement

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 3,330

Likes: 13

From: Eaton, CO

The swap took ~45 minutes and that was taking it easy, including filling all of the tires with air and warming up the truck. It's evident, my throttle cable has been stretched and/or frayed for a long time. The truck's response is much more noticeable than before.

Is WD-40 a silicon lubricant suitable for lubricating the throttle cable?

Sep 22, 2013 | 12:03 PM

#11

tecgod13

Logistics Pro

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 3,737

Likes: 179

From: Western Mass

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechelement

Is WD-40 a silicon lubricant suitable for lubricating the throttle cable?

No WD-40 would not be silicon based.
You can get spray lube that is silicon based just about anywhere. Oil based lubes attract dirt and grit that will stick to the cable and gum it up and/or wear it down overtime. Silicon lubes don't tend to do that and are recommended for throttle, speedometer and brake cables for that reason.

Sep 22, 2013 | 03:04 PM

#12

MPoulson

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 276

Likes: 0

From: Orange County NY

WD-40 evaporates after a while. It eventually dries out like gasoline would, leaving your part dry and crusty. Good for penetrating but not so much for lubing.