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Mower problem

18 years ago

Hi all,

I have a Craftsman Lawn Tractor Model 917.272060 The clutch cable, Pt # 169676 does not slide easily in its tube. This seems to be the reason that the blades do not stop quickly when I release the clutch handle.

The mower is never left outside. I am somewhat mechanically inclined. Can the cable be sucessfully cleaned and/or lubricated? Or should I just buy a new one?

Thank you so much!

Tink

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Comments (5)

eric_wa
18 years ago
Tink,

Is this a wire rope cable inside a metal conduit? Are the ends of the wire molded on? If the ends are permanent, I would just replace the cable ass'y. If not remove one end and pull out the wire. Also check the conduit for kinks. You can also buy a cable lubricator, most motercycle shops sell them. Of coarse it's more then the cable ass'y.

Eric
hippy
18 years ago
{{gwi:303922}}

Eric is talking about the tool above. They sale for less than $15.00 at most cycle shops.

The only problem is. They are designed for cable and cable ends that is twice the size that is used on a mower. They will work best on mowers using a light oil like WD40 or PB Blaster. They do not work well on mowers using Cable Lube.
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kshansen
18 years ago
If this cable assembly has a plastic sleeve over it the cycle
cable lubricator will work. But if you want to do it on the
cheap there is another way. Unhook one end of the cable, the
highest one is best. Take a ZipLock sandwich bag a cut a small
bit out of one corner. Now slip the end of the cable in
through this hole a short ways and wrap a rubberband around
the bag to seal it to the cable. Now put a cup of oil of
your choice in the bag and seal it. Support the cable up
high and let it set over night. Might want to put something
under the other end of the cable to catch the dirty oil that will come out.
baymee
18 years ago
A cup of oil??? It's a great idea though. I prefer transmission oil.
tinkerbelle
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you all!
I got both ends loose and applied a dry spray lube to both ends and pulled inner cable back and forth. Quite free now. Will try the bag of oil trick if it needs to be done again.
Tink

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