Have you tried lubricating it from the engine end? That's the end where it's exposed to weather, so maybe that's most likely where the binding is.

I rescued mine using gear oil that had a moly additive. Seems to me something that weight would be able to flow down into the sheath but still have some body.

My cable was binding almost to where it would not retract at all. But with hand assistance I could work it in and out a little bit. So each day for maybe four days in a row, I loosened the locking nut grip so I could angle the sleeve opening up, then worked some oil down into the end. Each time I did it the action improved a bit.

Two months later and it's still ok. MUCH easier than replacing the cable.

In fact, lubricating the throttle cable and the kickdown cable ought to be part of preventive maintenance.

Good luck.

Doug Harvey