brake cable lubricant?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2018
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brake cable lubricant?
This is a 73 f250, 2wd, hd brakes, drums in back, rotors in front.
I want to free up the e-brake cables as much as I can. One was sticking before I took it out. My new Napa cable is the wrong part, so I am thinking of re-using the old ones.
I have un-kinked the cable pretty much, where it was bent just inside the backing plate. And scrubbed much of the gum and dirt off, and then worked it back and forth. And now if I pull against the spring (on the end of the cable) it pulls back to where it started. Like it should, but still not as fast or strong as I would like. It doesn't give me confidence.
I want to give it every chance so I am thinking of lubricating the cable within the sheath. Anybody done that? With what product?
I want to free up the e-brake cables as much as I can. One was sticking before I took it out. My new Napa cable is the wrong part, so I am thinking of re-using the old ones.
I have un-kinked the cable pretty much, where it was bent just inside the backing plate. And scrubbed much of the gum and dirt off, and then worked it back and forth. And now if I pull against the spring (on the end of the cable) it pulls back to where it started. Like it should, but still not as fast or strong as I would like. It doesn't give me confidence.
I want to give it every chance so I am thinking of lubricating the cable within the sheath. Anybody done that? With what product?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
I think something with a carrier and teflon might be good. The old timers probably used something like a mixture of graphite and kerosene. Speedometer cable lubricant for example has graphite and solvent and seems to work good on brake cables. The parking brake on my slick works great, but if it's going to parked, I don't leave it engaged just use a chock block. Don't want it to rust up or whatever.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,960
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From: Angier, NC
On an old car I used ATF.
After removing the cables I coiled them and placed them in a shallow pan and covered the cables with ATF and let sit a day or 2.
I got them to free up then took a drill and hooked it to the inside cable and wile spinning worked the cable in & out till I was happy.
Been on the car since mid 80's and still working.
Dave - - - -
After removing the cables I coiled them and placed them in a shallow pan and covered the cables with ATF and let sit a day or 2.
I got them to free up then took a drill and hooked it to the inside cable and wile spinning worked the cable in & out till I was happy.
Been on the car since mid 80's and still working.
Dave - - - -
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2018
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Thank you. Tried silicon spray and it did help. But not total joy. I now have both cables soaking in a pan of ATF. To be spun with a drill motor. And if that doesn't do it, maybe speedometer lubricant will come next. I want to get them as free as possible.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,960
Likes: 4,129
From: Angier, NC
May want to re-soak after you work them a little. I had a lot of rusty ATF come out when I worked mine.
Good luck
Dave ----
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From: Tempe, AZ
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2018
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Thanks no704. I am a fan of Tri-Flow. Today I will take them out of the ATF soak and spin them a while. I will give the Tri-Flow a shot.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2018
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They are back on now. Seem to be working fine. I applied Tri-Flow to the pedal assembly in the cab and to the cable in front of the equalizer, too. Now if I can remember to let off the parking brake......
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2018
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Dave, Not so much rust. A lot of black stuff was swishing around in the leftover ATF at the end. I don't think they will be binding for a while.
I bled the brakes front and back, and found all the leaks in my new tubing and flare fittings.
I was surprised how much dirty fluid came out of the front brakes when I bled them.
I bled the brakes front and back, and found all the leaks in my new tubing and flare fittings.
I was surprised how much dirty fluid came out of the front brakes when I bled them.
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