The Cub's handbrake cable was very stiff but otherwise OK, and wouldn't return under the spring tension.
All that hardened grease over 50 years had taken its toll.
Due to the lack of availability, I thought I'd try to sort it.
I took it off (obviously) and put it in the bottom oven of the AGA for an hour (about 70C) till it was just too hot to hold. This melted the grease, and it was then possible to slide the inner back and forth easily. Then I used a grease gun filled with 75-90 gear oil on the grease nipple to force the filthy liquified grease out of the ends of the cable, while working it back and forth. Altogether it took about 250ml of oil till it came out reasonably clean. Then I used new grease to displace the oil, and I have a working handbrake cable again.
Be warned though. This is one filthy job.
All that hardened grease over 50 years had taken its toll.
Due to the lack of availability, I thought I'd try to sort it.
I took it off (obviously) and put it in the bottom oven of the AGA for an hour (about 70C) till it was just too hot to hold. This melted the grease, and it was then possible to slide the inner back and forth easily. Then I used a grease gun filled with 75-90 gear oil on the grease nipple to force the filthy liquified grease out of the ends of the cable, while working it back and forth. Altogether it took about 250ml of oil till it came out reasonably clean. Then I used new grease to displace the oil, and I have a working handbrake cable again.
Be warned though. This is one filthy job.
