Technical Hand brake cable(s) ...What Lube??

[martyc5674]

Replacing handbrake cables tonight...
So i have the luxury of lubing them before they are installed.
So i have oil/spray oil/spray grease...But which to use??

I always remember back in the day when i had motorbikes that grease used shrink the cable liner...thus seizing the cable.:bang:

Anyway im sure i read a recommendation here to spray grease down....and incidentally i have a can of spray grease that says its ideal for cables.

So is this Ok or am i likely to have a seizure??
Cheers,
Marty.

 

[slobo]

Thanks for the reminder, It's getting near that time of year again. I might go for the 'lunch box' fix as well.

 

[BikeDoc]

. . . I always remember back in the day when I had motorbikes that grease used shrink the cable liner...thus seizing the cable . . .

I've been riding year-round for 36+ years, and have never had that happen.
I suspect you had some sort of grease in them that dried up, which would cause dragging/siezing.
Not all greases are suitable (for the above reason).

A good quality cable shouldn't actually need greasing/oiling, that's what the plastic liner (and plastic coating on the inner cable if it has it) is for.

If it's easy to get grease/oil into the cable, then it's easy for water/dust/dirt to get in as well, which combined with any lube in there makes a very efficient grinding paste
I'd leave them dry, and seal them up to prevent water/debris getting in.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

You may consider this:

http://www.wd40specialist.com/products/dry-lube/

 

[BikeDoc]

Something like that would be the best option, but as I said, a new cable shouldn't need it.
Older style cables didn't have a plastic liner or plastic coated inners, so would always benefit from lubing.

 

[portland_bill]

As said above, should be ok as is. If you must lubricate it, the PTFE spray, or a silicone spray are best.
Plastics are an oil-based chemical. Some oils and some plastics react together, usually making the plastic sticky. Mostly these days, cable liners are made of better grades that do not react, but best not to take the risk.

 

[Gavlar]

i submerged mine in old engine oil and left overnight.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

old engine oil

Which contains acid and lot's of other bad debris....furthermore, it will act as a dirt magnet....!!

 

[Gavlar]

Which contains acid and lot's of other bad debris....furthermore, it will act as a dirt magnet....!!

It hasn't frozen in two years though.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

It hasn't frozen in two years though.

....but we suffered several major heatwaves instead...

 

[Davren]

As already mentioned, most cables have a nylon coating on the inner wire. Most oils or greases will soften nylon thus reducing it's protection capabilities.
.

 

[martyc5674]

Cheers lads will leave it dry so!!

Marty.