Steering cable stiff

[SharkB8]

I am rebuilding a sn that has sat around for a few years.

The steering cable is really stiff. It has loosened up a little now that I have been moving it, but its still stiff enough to be annoying.

Is there anything that can be done to smoothen it out a little?

When I rode mx bikes, we had a device to allow oil to be shot down brake cables (that was before hydraulic brake lines - yes I'm old so what > ).

Would it be worth trying something like that here? Or should I stop being cheap and just go spend the hundred bucks.

 

[Boris]

Pull the cable out,
hang it up,
poor some brake fluid down the cable.

That will wash out the rust.

 

[SharkB8]

Ok, so the knob thing will come off, and allow the inner cable to come out.... ok....

I thought I was done in the garage for tonight, but I don't want to wait until tomorrow to see if this is going to work.... thanks..

 

[Boris]

No, the inner cable will not come out.

I was talking about pulling the whole thing out of the hull and hanging it up.
That will allow the brake fluid to run down the inner cable.

 

[sflsurfrider]

cable oilers are available for ski cables too.

make sure that neither of the 2 sleeves or rods at either end are bent. this will cause binding and appear as a 'bad cable'.

 

[Flash-FX]

Order a new one and keep that one for a "emergency backup".

 

[SharkB8]

When taking the cable off, see in the picture at the very left, a white plastic "nut"... should that spin freely on the white plastic threads... right now when I turn the nut, the threads spin also.

Or am I even on the right track...

 

[Waternut]

I think you're on the right track if I'm understanding right. The plastic piece on the far right is already off. The one on the left unscrews the same way but it's usually more stubborned. The left piece has threads on both side of the nuts. Once you've gotten the second piece unscrewed, just give the cable a yank.

I've had good luck just squirting WD-40 in the cable with it still attached. It may not be as good as brake fluid when the cable is removed though. Keep in mind, brake fluid eats paint.

 

[ChrisGooch]

the fitting on the left is screwed into another fitting on the inside of the hull. Nothing wrong if its spinning freely, other than you might have some leakage into your foam.

 

[sflsurfrider]

the piece w/ the males threads on the left should not come out.

with the tumbler and 2 rubber boots off of the upper end, it should pull right out, unless its rusted and expanded just beyond the thru-hull piece..... then you have to pull it up through the top (first removing the lower tumbler and rubber boots, just like on top).

 

[SharkB8]

Ok, so given the situation as shown in the picture, I should be able to "just pull" and it should start coming through. (assuming no excessive rust or whatever)

What is the tumbler on the top end? Is it the thing with the spring that holds onto the knob on the steering plate?

 

[Waternut]

What is the tumbler on the top end?

X2...no idea what that is.

 

[SharkB8]

Any suggestions on how to construct a homemade cable oiler?

I was just thinking maybe just cut a small hole in a thick plastic bag and duct-taping it tightly near the end of the cable. Sort of a floppy funnel.

 

[Waternut]

I just bunched up a rag just below the inlet of the cable and started quirting. If you use brake fluid, it will actually be cleaner because the rag will hold the fluid and it won't splash. If you really want to be anal about it, get a fluid dropper and drop it on the metal and let is slide down and into the cable.

 

[AdamOntario]

you can get one at Princess Auto for 1.99 or 2.99, one of those prices

 

[SharkB8]

I never thought of looking there. I will be there this weekend, thanks.