Lubing cables?
03-10-11, 08:31 PM
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Lubing cables?
Hello everybody?
I have seen many people saying that they lube their brake/shift cables.
My question is: Where do you lube the cables?
Do you lube it at the derailleur? or the shifter? Or the whole cable?
Also what kind of lube do you use? Would some dry teflon lube be ok?
Thanks!
I have seen many people saying that they lube their brake/shift cables.
My question is: Where do you lube the cables?
Do you lube it at the derailleur? or the shifter? Or the whole cable?
Also what kind of lube do you use? Would some dry teflon lube be ok?
Thanks!
03-10-11, 08:39 PM
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Both Shimano and Campagnolo instructions say to grease brake and shifter cables but don't say what kind of grease. I've been using a dry silicone automotive doorlatch grease for years with good results. This needs to be done on initial installation.
It is possible to loosen the cable from the rear derailleur allowing the short housing to slide forward on the cable exposing the part that runs through the short. Greasing this part of the cable can often improve shifting performance.
It is possible to loosen the cable from the rear derailleur allowing the short housing to slide forward on the cable exposing the part that runs through the short. Greasing this part of the cable can often improve shifting performance.
03-10-11, 09:15 PM
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Both Shimano and Campagnolo instructions say to grease brake and shifter cables but don't say what kind of grease. I've been using a dry silicone automotive doorlatch grease for years with good results. This needs to be done on initial installation.
It is possible to loosen the cable from the rear derailleur allowing the short housing to slide forward on the cable exposing the part that runs through the short. Greasing this part of the cable can often improve shifting performance.
It is possible to loosen the cable from the rear derailleur allowing the short housing to slide forward on the cable exposing the part that runs through the short. Greasing this part of the cable can often improve shifting performance.
03-10-11, 10:19 PM
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03-10-11, 10:41 PM
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Both Shimano and Campagnolo instructions say to grease brake and shifter cables but don't say what kind of grease. I've been using a dry silicone automotive doorlatch grease for years with good results. This needs to be done on initial installation.
It is possible to loosen the cable from the rear derailleur allowing the short housing to slide forward on the cable exposing the part that runs through the short. Greasing this part of the cable can often improve shifting performance.
It is possible to loosen the cable from the rear derailleur allowing the short housing to slide forward on the cable exposing the part that runs through the short. Greasing this part of the cable can often improve shifting performance.
shimano dura-ace/XT cable housings come pre-injected with some sort of translucent green grease that they use on everything.
IMO, marine grade grease is better than the above two and a light oil might even be better than grease to start with.
the pre-injected grease in the housing will coat the whole cable as it runs through, so yes, just coat the whole cable.
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03-11-11, 02:05 AM
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I use the same grease as I have for bearings.. stuff for boat Trailer hubs, wipe the cable as I put it in.
Unless I'm soldering the end, I may have to mark and pull it solder,
and put it back in, then
cut within the soldered section.
Unless I'm soldering the end, I may have to mark and pull it solder,
and put it back in, then
cut within the soldered section.
03-11-11, 07:11 AM
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Shimano sells special cable grease: https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...1-cable-grease
I don't generally lube plastic lined housing. I haven't found it to hurt though. It can restore operation to a worn housing and extend its life a bit before replacement.
I don't generally lube plastic lined housing. I haven't found it to hurt though. It can restore operation to a worn housing and extend its life a bit before replacement.
03-12-11, 05:17 AM
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I use Pennzoil Marine Grease, which comes in a small tube for a small grease gun. The grease is white & not nasty to handle as other greases.
03-12-11, 11:58 AM
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For modern lined housings with modern smooth drawn cables I'm of the "no grease" school of thought. I've tried it and found that I far prefer dry housings. Although some form of dry lube like teflon powder puffed into the housings sure couldn't hurt.
03-12-11, 02:12 PM
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I dribble a little Tri-flow into the housing (the end I'm running the cable into).
03-12-11, 03:05 PM
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Phil's Tenacious Oil is what we use at our shop for high end jobs
TriFlow for everything else.
Instead of greasing the whole cable, we "fill" the housing with lube via a small straw before running cables through.
Works great, if your housing is properly lubed you can run Summit housing over Yokon and not be able to discern the difference in shift quality. Also, for the price, you can replace cables 4 times as often.
TriFlow for everything else.
Instead of greasing the whole cable, we "fill" the housing with lube via a small straw before running cables through.
Works great, if your housing is properly lubed you can run Summit housing over Yokon and not be able to discern the difference in shift quality. Also, for the price, you can replace cables 4 times as often.
03-12-11, 04:00 PM
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most housing is pregreased(jagwire L3 being the most common) so i dont bother. if the cheapie oem cables do give some trouble then i shoot some sailkote in it
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