The first and most important step in cam maintenance is inspection. Inspect your cams frequently. If you have any reason to doubt the integrity of a camming unit, (or any of your gear) heed your instincts and retire it. You should destroy retired gear to prevent any chance of future use.

Look at the teeth on your cams.
If they are worn unevenly or have been flattened in a hard fall, it probably means that the cam has lost its shape and is unsafe to use.

Check for slop between the cams and the axle.
There should be some free-play, but too much play indicates that the axle holes in the cams have become oval. Compare the free-play to a new cam of the same size to get an idea of how much is acceptable.


Inspect the cable body carefully.
It's okay to tweak the cable to straighten it after a fall, but if any of the wire strands that make up the cable have been broken or severely kinked the unit needs to be retired.

Look at the springs and cam stops, which can break if the unit is improperly placed and then loaded. Also take a look at the axle. It’s possible to bend the axle of a small unit in a hard fall, in which case it needs to be retired.

The most likely places to find damage to your units are the trigger wires or the sling.
Straighten the trigger wires if they become bent. Try to get the wires completely straight so all the cams lobes retract at the same rate. The cam lobes should line up evenly when fully retracted or fully open. Keep an eye on the swaged joint on the trigger wire. It is the most likely place for the wire to fray. If the sling or the stitching show major signs of abrasion, or if any of the stitching is broken, the sling must be replaced. Many manufacturers will replace slings or trigger wires on their cams for a nominal fee, although an inspection will be required before they agree to do so. Often if the cam was made before a certain date, the manufacturer will not repair the cam, regardless of its general condition. Alternatively, some manufacturers sell repair kits for the triggers wires, so this may be an option. However, if the cam is well used it is safest to retire it from use.

Cam Parts
Care of your cams is a simple process.
Keep them clean and dry. If they get wet, don’t just throw them in the closet until the next trip. Dry them off and re-lube them as soon as possible. If they get corroded, you can use steel wool or a Brillo pad to remove the corrosion. Keep your cams away from any corrosive substances or solvents. Acids are exceptionally bad for cam slings and other nylon climbing equipment. Even fumes from a car battery can reduce the strength of your slings by as much as 90%. If your cams come into contact with any corrosive substances or solvents, have the slings replaced immediately. If you have any doubts stop using the cam immediately and retire it or send it back to the dealer from whom you bought it for inspection. Store your cams in a cool, dry place away from U.V. light sources.

Cleaning your cams
It is best to use a purpose designed product for this undertaking, such as Metolius Eco Tech Cam Cleaner. Make a solution of one part the EcoTech Cam Cleaner to 10 parts water. Swish the heads in this solution while working the trigger bar, making sure to keep the slings out of the cleaner. Use a stiff-bristled brush to clean thoroughly all around the head, especially in the springs and inside the cam lobes. The Metolius M-16 brush is perfect for this task, alternatively and old toothbrush will do. Depending upon how dirty your cams are and what lubricants you have used in the past, you might need to use a stronger concentration of the solution, even full strength. Often, well-used cams will require several cleanings to work all the dirt and old lube out from the axle. Using compressed air to blow the cams out while they're still wet can help. Rinse the unit thoroughly with hot water and then dry thoroughly. No amount of lube will restore good action to a dirty cam, so make sure your cams are cleaned thoroughly.

Now you’re ready to lube your cams and restore like-new action. Use of a generic lube such as WD40 is acceptable although to be 100% sure of not damaging the cams os slings use a purpose designed product such as Metolius Cam Lube. Shake the Cam Lube vigorously, at room temperature, to mix all solids - use body heat to warm MCL if used in colder outdoor climates.

Apply the Cam Lube to the cam pivots and springs and work it in until the smooth action is fully restored. Wipe off excess lube with a rag then let the MCL fully dry (several minutes to an hour). For optimum penetration, apply MCL to cams at or above 5ºC (40ºF). MCL can be applied to wet parts, but it will take longer to dry before becoming a waterproof, dirt-repelling shield.

The Evironment
Metolius EcoTech Cam Cleaner represents a new generation of bio-cleaning technology. It is an environmentally responsible product. EcoTech concentrate contains only 100% active ingredients. A small amount will create a very strong solution. EcoTech is fully biodegradable.