How to lube Heater/Defrost/Vent Cables? 1961 Cadillac

[Coupe Deville]

Hello everyone. While I have the heater core out on my 1961 Sedan Deville I am planning on lubeing all of the heat/vent cables in the car. The ventalation cables are so stiff they barely slide with a lot of force. There so dried out that someone actually broke one of the ventalation levers off. What is the best procedure for lubeing these cables? I was goin to try WD-40 but I think the straw is way to large to fit in the cable housing. Anyone done this before?

Thanks

-Gavin

[Dan LeBlanc]

Bowden cable lubers do exist. If you want to do it cheaply though, take a Ziploc bag and push the cable into it. Tie the bag where the cable penetrates through with an elastic to seal the bag to the cable. Pour some oil into the bag. Hang up the whole works bag side up and let it soak. Gravity will allow the oil to penetrate down through the cable end and between the cable and housing.

[m-mman]

99% of HVAC cables consist of a single steel cable inside of a sheath consisting of wire wrapped  around the inner cable.
The best way to make them functional is to remove it completely (easy if the dash area has been disassembled) then take it to the bench and sand or steel wool the exposed ends that go into the sheath. (this is where the most rust & crud generally is)

Then spray WD40 (or I have used ATF. It might have longer staying power) along the sheath. Since the sheath is just wrapped wire, the lube easily seeps inside. Bending the cable slightly separates the wires on the sheath and allows the lube to seep inside also.

Then pull the cable back and forth to break up the crud and spread the lube. Within 5-7 pulls you will find that it slides MUCH easier. After installation you will be surprised how easily the control levers work.

IF you cant get to a cable or it is just too difficult to remove then do your best to clean the ends and spray WD-40 along its length and work it back and forth. You may not be able to spray the entire length without our removing it but anything can help.

Also while you have the cable out or otherwise accessible, Check the door or valve that it operates to make sure that it too moves easily.

[gary griffin]

Motorcycle shops have inexpensive cable lubricators. No need to remove the whole cable. Disconnect one end, clamp the attachment on and oil it up.