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Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

A while ago I injected white grease inside at the top of the sheat clutch cable. It did leak down somewhat and made it work smooth again.

Now more than 6 months later the pedal is rough again. I mean that when releasing the pedal it moves by pulses. Like if the cable is sticking on the plastic tube.

I hesitate to use something like bearing lubricant because of unespected reaction on the plastic covered cable and the plastic tube it is moving in.

Has anyone used successfully some type of lubricant ?








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    Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

    Roland,

    Besides the cable, the pedal pivot also needs attention from time to time. The nylon (or teflon?) bushing gets dry and doesn't rotate smoothly. Removing the pivot bolt and powdering things up with some graphite can help.
    --
    Current rides: 2005 Volvo S80 2.5T, 2003 Volvo V70 2.4NA, 1973 Volvo 1800ES (getting ever closer to road worthiness)








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      Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

      One concern not mentioned is the firewall that likes to crack. Usually you end up having to adjust the cable a number of times or it frays and breaks because its not sitting straight. I file the hole bigger on a steal plate used for tying down a framed wall to a foundation. It helps disperse the pressure. I would use one even if its not cracked but that is me.

      The toughest part to replacing the cable is knowing which extreme adjustment to start with so you can make it reach. The weight on the arm is a PIA too.








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    Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

    Hi,

    Lubricant is problem not the best solution for this problem as a cable can fray just before they break.
    The Replacement Option is a good dollar spent, at the right moment and time for yourself! Otherwise it won’t work that way!
    This is your warning sign!
    After that, you get prized with a “I’m stupid” sign! Trust me, they are heavy to carry when you could have avoided it.

    There is a lot of force used to pull on a clutch’s diaphragm of steel fingers. If you are ever down under there try pushing on that lever, then, you will know what I mean.
    To top that off ... a cable is doing this from around a corner from a cozy chair.

    If it was easy there should be short “hand operated” levers, like on motorcycles, down there?
    There are paddles for shifting, on a steering wheels but I suspect there is help elsewhere. Electrics and hydraulics.

    You might want to test pulling that lever anyway to rule out the diaphragm or the inner disc having an issue developing.
    This happened on my wife on our first car that had a stick shift. She was by herself driving the car, so, I had to go to come do a rescue. Bummer for both of us.
    I got there and the whole mechanism locked up. I could hardly move the clutch pedal down from the top. Later I found a shock absorbing spring had fell out of the inner friction disc.
    It stuck itself in between the assembly. It had to be a rare thing but we were winners!
    Just the opposite of a snapped cable.

    I had to drive it home, a couple miles, shifting without a clutch and just letting up off the gas to coast the car a bit. Quickly learned rolling along with a gear and shift only purposely.
    I timed the stop lights and signs to avoid starting the engine again in gear!

    I have carried a spare around for years since but if needed I change them at home.

    I have a sister-in-law owns an old VW bug and for her she has needed two in the last few years. I have seen framed pictures hung up on better wires! Those cars are cut to the bone to be cheap.

    Oiling gums things up with dirt gritted wire and shards of liner in there already.
    1982 ... it could be an original? Nah ... really ... yep, it’s possible!

    You have gone to just as much work oiling that one as it takes to exchange in a new one.
    Do it!

    Phil








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      Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

      I went under and saw the cable plastic protection sleeve cover broken and a 2 inch piece crushed as a bellow.

      I try to gain some time until a new cable is in. So with large mouth pliers I turned the cable outer envelope half a turn at the top and also at the bottom.
      Clutch pedal went back up almost where it should be and is now smooth.

      Could not find a Gemo as the one in there. It will be a Professional Parts Sweden 1377669.

      Thanks for the advice.








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        Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

        hi roland- after looking for a few years for a gemmo cable, have just about given up. must be out of business. have a pro parts Sweden brand backup in the garage and a pioneer under the seat. earlier brick board comments said the pro parts was stinko. anyone had any better success than me? thanks tons oldduke








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        Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

        hi roland- after looking for a few years for a gemmo cable, have just about given up. must be out of business. have a pro parts Sweden brand backup in the garage and a pioneer under the seat. earlier brick board comments said the pro parts was stinko. anyone had any better success than me? thanks tons oldduke








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      Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

      hi phil- good info about the uselessness of trying to lubricate the cable. I carry a spare under the passenger seat . another lurking issue- I bought my 92 245 backin 2011. no problem with clutch cable yet. put 30k on it so far. bought at 219k. doubt its original but don't know . all ive done is adjust the cable twice at the bell housing. have another spare cable in the garage- a Swedish proparts. the one under the seat is a pioneer. wanted to get a gemmo oe which was recommended on the forum , but have yet to find one anywhere. word is that's the best. what do you think? bet it will be a low down dirty rotten mofo to change said cable whether on tobacco road or in driveway. steps sound easy, but so does a lot of repair jobs on Volvo. have cursed more on Volvo repairs than slantsix dodges. let me know what you think since it appears you've done it. thanks tons oldduke








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        Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

        "bet it will be a low down dirty rotten mofo to change said cable"
        Easy to change. But you have to be flexible, lying on your back, over the threshold, reaching up, to get at the pedal connection. But there's pride to changing it out in a few minutes (under 30), in a parking lot or side of the road.
        --
        1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.








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          Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

          hi trev- appreciate the advice on the cable. you seem to advise that it would be a less than 1 mofo job. no problem yet, but think I will do it soon in my driveway which is more humane. doubt if whats in there now is original(26 years old and 250k miles?). would like to hold out for a gemmo but no vendor appears to have one. might as well throw in the pioneer or proparts of Sweden ones I have. what think? bad move? thanks tons oldduke








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            Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

            "no problem yet, but think I will do it soon in my driveway which is more humane."
            I'm not into preventative maintenance. "If it ain't broke, why fix it" especially if the replacement may be of lower quality?

            As explained, even if one can't to do a cable change immediately, one can learn to drive the car without use of the clutch.
            --
            1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.








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            Clutch cable lubrication, M46 200 1982

            I've only had one clutch cable break in 35years across 3 Volvos.
            It broke when the cable rusted and frayed so bad that the ball that fits into the clutch fork flew off during a shift.
            This was on a 75 245 that was my winter driver.
            Road Salt.

            In Fla you do not have that problem. If you are really worried, keep that end of the cable lubed/rust free. The odds of it snapping without warning anywhere inside the sheathing are extremely low.







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