Brake cables - how do you un-seize them?

[Big G]

I rarely use the brakes on my trikes, and find that when I do go to use them, they're stiff as a board, or seized. Anyways, just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to get them lubed up again, or is it a loss cause? I just hate to turf them and buy new ones if there's a way to salvage them? I was thinking of getting a 5 gallon bucket, filling it with an inch of oil in the bottom, coiling up the cable and placing it in the bucket to let it soak in the oil overnight?

[fabiodriven]

Your idea with the oil will work, or you could buy a cable luber (Google it).

Depending on the condition of your cables, you may just have to bite the bullet and buy new ones. You can't see what's going on inside the cable and they may not be salvageable. Some cables have their own plastic coating on the cable itself that slides inside of the sheath. If that plastic coating is compromised (which you'll never be able to see in some instances) then the cable is junk.

[dustrunner]

i use the oil trick all the time. and have a 90 % winning streak... worth a try if you have the time.... good luck...

[dougspcs]

If they are just getting sticky with dirt and rust I remove it from the machine and hook my electric drill up to the adjuster end..then hold it upright and spin it while stopping once in a while to put a few drops of oil in the top...of course spin the drill in the direction of the cable winding.

If they are siezed..I replace them.

[Big G]

Thanks for the help guys...those are good suggestions. I'll give them a try and report back. Hey Fabio, have you tried those cable lubers before? I found them on eBay...Just wondering if they actually work, or are they a gimmick?

[RubberSalt]

Transmission fluid will work better than oil for corrosion and rust. As far as cables go, try this place. http://flanderscables.com/

I use the ends (threaded connects and what not). I replace everything else. Great customer services. Just solider it all together :)

[beets442]

I have used the cable luber for 20+ yrs. Lube my stuff every couple years.
I have yet to have a cable go bad as far as rusting,Ive snapped a couple cables from heavy duty clutches but thats another story.
Also use it on kids bicycles,latches for car and truck hoods.

[fabiodriven]

Yup, like Beets said. They work well.

[Gearheadtom]

I bought one of those cable lubers from the local honda dealer... and I've had completely different results. If I can actually get it to seal at all on the cable, the can doen't have enough pressure to force any lube into the cable. Tried a few different cans, and a few different cables.
Just my $.02

[belly]

+1 with the ATF treatment. I use cable lube atleast twice a year on my machines for "preventative" maintenance.

[RubberSalt]

I've not got a luber.. i need 1 :\

Anyone, i pour a small amount of oil on the ends and work the cable back and forth, then do the same to the other side. It helps and works.. but nothing like a cable luber.

[Big G]

I bought one of those cable lubers from the local honda dealer... and I've had completely different results. If I can actually get it to seal at all on the cable, the can doen't have enough pressure to force any lube into the cable. Tried a few different cans, and a few different cables.
Just my $.02

Thanks Gearhead...that's what I was thinking might happen. Well I took the front cable off my 200E the other night, and it's been sitting (coiled up) in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket bathed in oil. I'll take it out tonight (after 48 hours) and see if she's freed up at all. I'll report back with my findings...

[M.Pargiello]

If it is seized, then it would be better to just replace it. I replace my cables if they even feel tight, no point in being 20 miles down a trail and have a cable fail. That's just the way I am, I'm sure others feel differently

[JasonB]

cables are less than 20$ a set shipped off ebay. its worth it to get new ones sometimes depending on how rough shape they may be in . sometimes its just not worth the trouble to mess with them

[Big G]

cables are less than 20$ a set shipped off ebay. its worth it to get new ones sometimes depending on how rough shape they may be in . sometimes its just not worth the trouble to mess with them

Hmmm...I just did a quick search on eBay, and couldn't find a "set" (if you mean all 3 brake cables sold as one package). All I could find is individual ones for sale, and they range from $15-$25 plus shipping. So looks like a guy could drop $100 on new brake cables alone. I realize at some point I'll have to replace them, but just thought if there was a way to lube up the old ones and get another year or two out of them then why not give 'er a shot. But like some of you have said, there's a point to where your time and effort isn't worth all the muckin' around. :wondering

[BiggDogg]

soaking them is a waist of lube. a cable "luber" will work wonders. I use it on all my cable on all my toys. or you could buy a new one but eventually you will need to lube it.

heres a linky http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/43/83/215/946/-/8894/Tusk-Cable-Luber-with-Champions-Choice-Cable-Lube/cable+lube

[RubberSalt]

For $25, you can probably make an entire set of cables...

[Big G]

For $25, you can probably make an entire set of cables...

Hmmm, that's interesting RubberSalt. I never knew you could make cables. Do you have any more info on this?

[JasonB]

my wording was off, i mean a cable is usually less than 20per cable on ebay. When you think about it most of the cables on our bikes came from honda. some still work fine, but for the most part alot of things like cables are items that wear with use and age and will need replaced eventually. I started trying to free up a clutch cable i had 2 years ago and after 5 minutes realized it wasnt worth the effort of trying to pour oil down the inlet and work the cable because it would never slide as smooth as a new one. worth it to buy new ones sometimes is all. never used a cable luber though, might have to look into one

[RubberSalt]

Yup, I make all my own.. Very cheap and Very easy.

Need soldier, Flux, Parts of the cable.

I know I could use better tools for this, but it's what i have.. My set up.. is my 30w Chinese POS soldiering iron, some run of the mill low temp radio shack soldier and flux. High temp would be better and stronger. Total cost for tools.. Maybe $20? including the gas and a cheese burger on the way to the store.

Propane would be much better for heat lol

Flux is extremely criticle.

http://www.flanderscables.com/ <-- they have everything you will ever need for your cables. I normaly take the old cable, pull the threaded(adjusters ([URL="http://www.flanderscables.com/action.lasso?-search&-database=_Flan_Levers.fp5&-layout=Cables1&-Format=FlanCableResults.html&-Error=FlanCableError.html&-Operator=Contains&Type=Adjuster&Catagory=CablePart)) ends off(screws into throttle, or carb, etc). I buy the wire rope (http://www.flanderscables.com/action.lasso?-search&-database=_Flan_Levers.fp5&-layout=Cables1&-Format=FlanCableResults.html&-Error=FlanCableError.html&-Operator=Contains&Type=Wire&Catagory=CablePart), the conduit (http://www.flanderscables.com/action.lasso?-search&-database=_Flan_Levers.fp5&-layout=Cables1&-Format=FlanCableResults.html&-Error=FlanCableError.html&-Operator=Contains&Type=Conduit&Catagory=CablePart), and the ends (http://www.flanderscables.com/action.lasso?-search&-database=_Flan_Levers.fp5&-layout=Cables1&-Format=FlanCableResults.html&-Error=FlanCableError.html&-Operator=Contains&Type=End&Catagory=CablePart).

I recommend boots (http://www.flanderscables.com/action.lasso?-search&-database=_Flan_Levers.fp5&-layout=Cables1&-Format=FlanCableResults.html&-Error=FlanCableError.html&-Operator=Contains&Type=Hardware&Catagory=CablePart)to keep junk out of the cables. I don't use them because im dumb and cheap lol

Some times youll need new adjusters (http://www.flanderscables.com/action.lasso?-search&-database=_Flan_Levers.fp5&-layout=Cables1&-Format=FlanCableResults.html&-Error=FlanCableError.html&-Operator=Contains&Type=Adjuster&Catagory=CablePart). These are the parts that screw into everything. Ferrules (http://www.flanderscables.com/action.lasso?-search&-database=_Flan_Levers.fp5&-layout=Cables1&-Format=FlanCableResults.html&-Error=FlanCableError.html&-Operator=Contains&Type=Adaptor&Catagory=CablePart)have no threads, they just mesh against parts.

You can get new elbows (http://www.flanderscables.com/action.lasso?-search&-database=_Flan_Levers.fp5&-layout=Cables1&-Format=FlanCableResults.html&-Error=FlanCableError.html&-Operator=Contains&Type=Elbow&Catagory=CablePart)for them hard to get a good bend with a cable carb.