1952-59 Ford Driver-side vent cable assembly

Does anyone have a simple solution for repairing the driver-side vent cable? It sticks and I am unable to open or close the air vent. My "quick fix" was to keep it in the open position and just disconnect the loop from the vent lever on the fender.
If this involves totally removing it, is there a trick for doing so? It may just need a good soaking in some cleaning solution. Any special tool required? Thanks...Mato

 

What year Ford? Mine comes up and is accessible from under the hood. It may be frozen there. With a little work (yeah right..) it comes out. It may need a little lube and persuasion.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0182-Cable-Luber/dp/B0012TYX9W

Mater,
go to a motorcycle shop and purchase a cable luber thingy that clamps around the non-knob end of the cable. It has a hole for the straw of your favorite penetrating oil aerosol to fit in. I think they run about ten bucks.

 

If it's just the cable that's sticking, Dupont makes a lubricant that's a teflon powder suspended in alcohol. If you can get the cable off, hang it up and drip the stuff thru til it comes out the other end. The alcohol evaporates leaving just the teflon residue inside the cable housing. Lowe's use to carry it but stopped and I've only been able to find it on line. I understand it may be avail at motorcycle shops.
Edited to change mfg. from 3m to Dupont

 

To remove it, you have to unloosen a nut on the back side of the dash and it will pull out after disconnecting it up front.

 

took mine out, soaked it in evaporust for a week, cleaned and freed it . Then I hung it up and fed "3in1" oil into one end untilkl it came out the other, works great!

 

Make new ones. http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-55200-...9448389&sr=8-5&keywords=control+cable#nav-top

 

Dorman makes a great line of handy stuff. This cable looks pretty stout, so it should work. Choke cables are too flimsy. Still the trick is to get the factory knob to fit on it.

 

The other trick would be trying to make the loop in the wire that attaches to the flapper. Best bet is to free up the original cable ***embly.

 

Agreed. But replacements are available used and new. A long cable can be modified into a short cable. Best thing is to remove the cable even if it involves standing on your head to do so. Then you can make a fix-or-replace decision.

 

Yeah. Great tips. Thanks. Adding it to my "Summer To-Do List". Mato