The bike is a 1997 Trek 820.

I'm wondering if this is "right". Is there supposed to be something (anti-friction) inside that noodle? Yes? What is it called, how necessary is it, and where do I find it?

Thanks!

my Trek had a length of what looked like the standard teflon cable housing liner you find in modern housing with...a teflon liner.

Thats kind of what I thought, thanks.

I ended up cutting the plastic housing off of a section of housing the length of the noodle, greased it up good, and gently tapped it in. Works great