My bouncing speedo has gotten progressivly worse over the past few months. Today, it started jumping quite wildly(like from 30-120). So, for fear ofdamaging the speedo head, I unplugged it. Obviously, what I've been using isn't working all that well. What do you recommend?
I usually just use moly grease. A small amount in a rag and pull the cable through it. Don`t gob it on. No problems in cold winter snaps.
My speedo is electric, but i lubed the sending module with graphite..... Seems to be the lube of choice in speedo and tach cables I guess.... Brucie
Lubrication may not be the problem. Pull and inspect the cable, you may have one or more cable wires broken.
I shot a little slick 50 down it, and it worked fine. The big problem was that it had too sharp of a bend in it. I rerouted it, and that fixed most of the problem
My speedo is doing the same thing in my 33 truck. I don't think it from lubrication either since my right shoe gets lube on it.
Trans Jel ***embly lube. I have tubs of it I got 15 years ago. It hasnt hardened up, still looks like new.It works good on window regulators too.
i added Graphite to my 55 chevy's speedo cable one time and i think it lubed to well cause the minute i took it for a spin it sounded like my speedo cable was going a million miles an hour and then WHAM! it snapped a minute later! maybe graphite works to good? =)
Lubriplate hands down.If the mechanics in the speedo system is right,you should have no more problems. Cable routing takes common sense too,,see if there's any serious bends. 2 center
Are you sure it's the cable? I had a similar problem with the speedo in my 56 Olds & in the end I had to replace the small bearing inside the speedo where the cable connects. It had dried out from years of sitting around. Now works fine (when the car is mobile at least).
sometimes a drop or two of oil on that bushing will help, other times it won't. sometimes loosening the nut holding the cable on the speedo will help. Usually it just needs a new speedometer, though.
If your needle is jumping, its prolly not from the lack of lube, check the cable for bends or breaks. Mine jump like crazy then broke, had a tight bend and abraded the cable. Went electronic on the next guage. As for the lube, got a tube of Vaseline and coated the cable. worked great.
Thanks for the input. I don't like Graphite. While working at the Harley dealer, we found that repeated graphite applications would cause a buildup on the cables making them sticky(primarily clutch cables). here's what I did. I pulled the cable out and coated it with Mobil 1 grease(cause I had it handy). It seemed to tight when I turned it by hand, so I pulles iot out again, wiped the grease off and sprayed down the tube with Mobil 1 spray lube(again, cause it was handy), then sprayed the cable with the M1 spray lube while sliding it in. Let me tell you, my speedo has never worked smoother. almost no needle bouncing at all Now the bad part, my cable has a kink in it It's working for not, but needs replacment.
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