What kind of lube would you recomend for the parking brake cable. I am using 3 in 1 oil but I am concerned that this might not be the correct lube to use. I am replacing the passenger side cable again. I did it last year. So I feel the cable needs some lubrication put into it before I install it. I currently have the cable hanging to straighten it out and I am putting the 3-in-1 oil down it and letting it drain down. What would you recommonded to use?


Thank you,

Steve

NOTHING!!!!

The wheel cables have plastic/nylon coated wire that can and likely will be damaged by oil.

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only the oem ones have the plastic coating. the aftermarket ones are straight cable.
3in1 while thin, is not the best choice. I know it;s not easy to get anything to run in those cables. If I have to try that, I have had good success with something like the spray "superlube" it is a teflon based lube, and it is very liquid when sprayed initially, and when the carrier evaporates leaves a teflon grease behind. it is water resistant, and very slippery, and very thin when it comes out initially. you would need to work it thru, but that should be doable. if your cables are like the aftremarket ones I got, there is enough of a gap around the cable from the sheath to get a decent amount to run in there. I would love to find some rubber boots that would fit there to help seal the ends off.

If that's the case...

Use something like speedometer cable lube. this is a wet graphite sort of thing that flows well and works at any temperature.

3 in 1 is a fairly poor lube for just about anything. It's only slightly better than WD40, which many use as lube but isn't.

I used that red synthetic general suspension lube ---seems to push the moisture out and has held on pretty well.

Thanks. I didnt know that 3 -in-1 oil would damage the plastic. I purchased the AC Delco cable just like the OEM. I guess I better clean the new cable out before I install it. How about silicone? Thanks for the information!


Steve

[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 05-07-2006).]

Steve I don`t think the silicone would last long --I don`t think it would hurt anything though..

Thank you!

Somebody beat me to it. "Silicone Lube" in grease form. I've used it for 30 yrs on the job. Theres no petroleum products in it to attack rubber or plastic. Its a Dow Corning product and is safe for use in water conditioning equipment.
It also maintains consistancy over a wide temp range. I used it to actually pack the 3 bearings in my upgraded 87-88 headlight motors and on 0 degree days the lights opened with no problem.

Find a way to force some of this into your cable housing and it should work great and also keep out the moisture. Cost about $8 a tube, large toothpaste size . I've only seen it at plumbing supply houses.

quote Originally posted by tjm4fun: only the oem ones have the plastic coating. the aftermarket ones are straight cable.

While I have nothing to add other than that which has already been said with regards to cable lube, I must contest the above statement.

Aftermarket cables are available both coated and uncoated. For example, cables I have purchased locally under the brand name of "Certified", have been bare metal. Cables purchased through a NAPA affiliate, branded "United Brake Parts" are coated and have seals at the ends of the cable sheath. Food for thought for anyone looking for replacement cables... not all are created equal.