Fresh Air / Heater Control Panel Cable Lubrication

[McOtto]

Can someone recommend the best method to lubricate the fresh air / heater control panel cables? There appears to be a number of readily available cable lube devices principally used on motorcycles (link to one possible source pasted below). That concept seems to make sense, but first wanted to check with the forum experts. Thank you!

https://www.motionpro.com/c/cable-luber

[72targa]

Moved to Technical. Good luck with your search.

[mathieulecomte]

Can someone recommend the best method to lubricate the fresh air / heater control panel cables? There appears to be a number of readily available cable lube devices principally used on motorcycles (link to one possible source pasted below). That concept seems to make sense, but first wanted to check with the forum experts. Thank you!

https://www.motionpro.com/c/cable-luber

These work to send lube products in spay cans like a WD40 (although this is not a lube per se) - Not sure I would use this for longer term. I took the option of removing the cable, clean the sheath with brake cleaner and grease the cable that I put back in.

[McOtto]

I took the option of removing the cable, clean the sheath with brake cleaner and grease the cable that I put back in.

Thank you, mathieulecomte. That is no doubt the ultimate solution, but I am hoping someone may have found a way to lubricate the cables in a manner that minimizes disassembly and reassembly.

My inexperienced, untrained eye is telling me to remove the driver side control box. Doing so appears to give me access to the ends of the fresh air cable and heater cable (which is the one binding up and, of course, connected on the least accessible firewall side of the boxes). That would allow me to pump lubricant back to the control panel. And also give me access to put lubricant in the two bowden cables that connect the control boxes.

Wide open to other points of view. Thanks again!

[1969911T]

My heater cable was kinked where item 12 is on you drawing. That may be your issue. Had to remove item 12 to replace the Bowden cable. Very difficult. Good luck!
Steve

[McOtto]

Thank you @1969911T and @mathieulecompte!

As it turned out, the hot air side of the No. 16 valve box was sticky which was preventing the red control panel knob from moving freely. After disconnecting the cable, the red knob moved smoothly back and forth. Lubricating the butterfly pins on the valve boxes freed it up.

However, since I was in there and had some time, I decided to lubricate everything (per sketch below), including the cables using a Motion Pro Cable Luber V3 tool. Having no affiliation other than a satisfied buyer, the tool is readily available from Motion Pro (or their Amazon store). Easy to use and effectively pushes the lubricant to the other end of the cables (very glad I stuffed a rag in the back of the control panel and protected my interior).

https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0609

I somehow managed to get everything apart and back together without losing too much blood or religion (firsts for me). All of the control panel knobs are now moving smoothly across their full range, with fresh air and heated air flowing up or down as they should (it’s better to be lucky than smart).

Thanks again for the feedback!