Servicing teleflex cables

[sixpack]

Any sensible suggestions as to how to service teleflex control cables such as which lubricant to use (if any), is it better to remove the inner completely or just work light oil or the like into the cable. The cables are approx 10' long and are around 86 vintage and are now getting a little stiff to operate.

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To some it is only a few cans of beer, to me it is a support group!

 

[Althorne]

If there is no facility to grease or oil it you are not supposed to do so. The theory being that once it gets difficult to use it has enough rust or worn/broken strands inside to warrant a new cable. The only problemI found when I renewed mine was that Morse in thier infinite wisdom had stopped making mine and the nearest to it has a shorter stroke which now means my boat doesn't turn as well as it used to especially when berthing. Also the steering now instantly turns when I let it go whereas before it would maintain its course. Safer I suppose but most annoying. Fortunately SWMBO is buying me an autopilot at LBS so hopefully problem goes away.

 

[Sheerline]

The people who sold me my last ones claimed there was no alternative but to buy new ones (well they would say that would they?)

Once there's corrosion inside or a busted strand, the wire will never slide nicely inside the plastic, lube or not.

And if it's your engine control, then fighting to get into reverse as you arrive at the wharf is not worth the grief.

Sadly I think you should give up; accept the inevitable.

 

[Thistle]

I agree with the previous posters that replacement is the probable solution - and 20 years or so is probably well in excess of their design life anyway. Accepting that, there's then no loss in taking out the inner (if that's possible) and inspecting it for rust / broken strands etc. You may find that lubrication is all that's required (a bonus!); you may also, by inspecting any damage, be able to come up with ways of reducing it in future.

 

[AndrewB]

While I agree with others that you must expect to replace these from time to time, I protect the exposed ends of mine (where they usually eventually fail) with Whitlock cable grease. Applying this annually I'm sure extends their life, though wouldn't rescue one that has already started to go.