Okay.........I've been off for a while.........just browsing the forums and came across this. Some info FYI:
1- DO NOT use any petroleum based lubricate on rubber or plastics. It will break them down eventually. I know this from years of experience. A good safe lubricate for use in a case such as this is good old fashion baby powder......and a little goes a long way!
2- If you start at the coil and leave just a bit of slack for adjusting the coil, start the cable into the bottom of the channel, holding the start with your thumb, gently stretch the cable (this elongates it some) and feed it into the groove a little at a time. The stretching and pulling causes the cable diameter to be reduce enough to press into the channel. Later it will slowly relax making for a nice snug fit. It is important to bottom it out in the channel, or the cable will rub the inside of the upper rod making it very hard to adjust.