One observation on the throttle cable is that mine is attached to a central wheel (bellcrank) that makes the transition to a 90 degree turn effortless and removes any binding of the cable internally to its shield.
It also modifies the pedal feel in that it changes to a 2:1 ratio. Yours looks like a straight 1:1 ratio? Sometimes the ratio is changed so that the throttle "feels" right and the engine responds as you expected it to? I don't know it that was a consideration when the entire system was installed and set up. I can tell you that with the Weber carbs often it is not and the owners have "issues" with the throttle feel.
My pedal feel is very much lighter as a result. This reduces the wear on the throttle shafts and uses the built in return spring pressure without adding additional unnecessary spring return pressures that accelerate the wear on the throttle shafts internally against the housings.
If the cable is shielded with a rigid outer housing, what the console cover does is not significant at all.
The o ring on that tube should be simple for you to change. Check the bore in the aluminum rail for scoring, scratches, etc. Don't insert the o-ring back in dry. Use a dab of vasolene.
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