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Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
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I've had to disconnect the cable from the speedometer in my '39 pickup because, at least in colder weather, it chatters and goes nuts. Is this a need for lube? The truck has 36000 original miles on it, and I'm hoping it isn't excess wear.I've never removed any of the instruments from the dash. Your suggestions and comments?
Jon Hall
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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Yes. Remove the cable from the housing and carefully lubricate the lower 2/3rds of the cable and replace. You can use a thin layer of white smooth cup grease. There is also a special speedometer cable grease made for this purpose, but the cup grease should work just fine.   
The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Richard
Waverly, IA
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
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That's what I use... No problem 
Ken's 1940 Special Deluxe Sedan
1970 Cadillac Hearse
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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How about pouring a few drops of graphite lube down the chain housing? Charlie 
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How about pouring a few drops of graphite lube down the chain housing? Charlie Whats a "chain housing".....ED
I was only wrong one time in my life so far. But that time I was right, and only thought I was wrong....ED
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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Right. I meant to say cable not chain. Thanks for catching that for me. Charlie
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Right. I meant to say cable not chain. Thanks for catching that for me. Charlie Yea....Charlie...I think someone made a mistake and let you off the chain....Oops I meant to say cable. Durn... now I'm confused....Ed
I was only wrong one time in my life so far. But that time I was right, and only thought I was wrong....ED
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Hi Jon,
We had a old tech at a dealership I worked at years ago who gave me this tip, and I have used it ever since with great' results'
Unscrew the cable from the back of the speedometer and pull the inner cable all the way out, it will come out without disturbing anything else.Then get yourself a can of STP and dip the entire cable in the can until it is soaked in lube, then remove it and wipe all the excess off and re install cable carefully and you should never here it make noise again'
Try it'
Just my 2-cents'
Mike.......
GENUINE GM ACCESSORIES
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How about pouring a few drops of graphite lube down the chain housing? Charlie It might work if never has and never will be a "wet" lubricant used.
VCCA Member 43216
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1938 HB Business Coupe
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Huh? Charlie
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If you put graphite on a surface that's had, and wasn't thoroughly cleaned, (or currently has) a petroleum based lubricant on it you'll end up with a glob of non lubricating goo. Like oil and water, they don't mix. I have seen, on the other hand, a graphite lubricant with a liquid carrier but I've never used it and have no idea what the carrier is. Personal preference I would not use any graphite on a speedo cable.
Last edited by Tiny; 08/11/11 05:24 PM.
VCCA Member 43216
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
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Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
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First, apologies to all who replied thinking I was talking about the cable. I've been away, and it slipped what mind I have left to check replies. The cable is OK, I have lubed it, even had it out. So far as I can tell the trouble is in the speedometer itself. Do they have to be lubed? I don't even know how to go about getting it out (and kinda dread the prospect).
Jon
Jon Hall
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Right close to where the cable attaches to the speedo there should be a small opening that looks kind of like someone smacked it with a small center punch. If you remove the speedo and look at it, the housing has a fibrous material in that spot. Several drops of light oil such as 3 in 1 or sewing machine oil in that depression will soak into the fibrous material and lubricate the moving shaft. You can save pulling the speedo if you have access to a 3cc syringe. Fill it with the light weight oil and stand on your head under the dash so you can "shoot up" the speedo. If that doesn't fix the problem you're probably looking at a rebuild.
VCCA Member 43216
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
1938 HB Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
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Do they have to be lubed? Yes.
The Mangy Old Mutt
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I had trouble with my new cable when I first installed it. I tried everything but it stil jumped aroud at certain speeds. Finally I removed it and put a little STP in the cable housing and it worked smooth as glass.
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