Speedometer and Tachometer lube Procedure
12-07-2015, 05:25 PM
#1
Speedometer and Tachometer lube Procedure
My speedometer needle has started to bounce around till everything warms up and it settles down. I think it's time for a little cable lube. What would be an easy procedure to do this? Replace the whole cable speedometer and tachometer or pull the cable out of the housing clean and lube. Do you remove the cable from the gauge cluster end or the transmission end? Both cable were replaced when car went through a body off restoration in 2010.
12-07-2015, 08:50 PM
#2
My speedometer would really bounce 20-40 MPH when you let off the gas and coast.
After unscrewing it from the back of the gauge, pulled out the cable and used "Kable - Ease" after cleaning. I was told not to lube the last few inches near the gauge. Make note of the amount of cable extending out from the connector before you pull the cable out. When you reinsert the lubed cable and there is excess center cable sticking out of the connector, you may not be able to reinstall it back on the gauge. You may need to turn the cable a half turn to better seat the cable on the transmission side.
Just a FYI - it didn't fix the problem immediately and I did it twice. After a few months the bouncing was less, but just recently I discovered my Tremec was leaking from the speedometer cable connector. Had a new o ring installed and so far no more bouncing.
After unscrewing it from the back of the gauge, pulled out the cable and used "Kable - Ease" after cleaning. I was told not to lube the last few inches near the gauge. Make note of the amount of cable extending out from the connector before you pull the cable out. When you reinsert the lubed cable and there is excess center cable sticking out of the connector, you may not be able to reinstall it back on the gauge. You may need to turn the cable a half turn to better seat the cable on the transmission side.
Just a FYI - it didn't fix the problem immediately and I did it twice. After a few months the bouncing was less, but just recently I discovered my Tremec was leaking from the speedometer cable connector. Had a new o ring installed and so far no more bouncing.
12-08-2015, 05:41 PM
#3
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This is from our original copy of the calibration manual for speedometers and tach's.
There is a similar version of this lube available at your local parts store...
Pay close attention to the 2/3's rule because too much will cause the speedometer to prematurely fail.
Willcox
There is a similar version of this lube available at your local parts store...
Pay close attention to the 2/3's rule because too much will cause the speedometer to prematurely fail.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; 12-08-2015 at 05:44 PM.
12-08-2015, 07:27 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
This was taught to me by the owner of a speedometer repair shop many, many years ago. Disconnect both ends of the cable housing, remove the cable from the gauge end, flush the housing with spray carb. cleaner until it runs clear, blow housing out with compressed air, re-insert the cable giving it a light coat of Vaseline as you re-insert it (if there are any burrs, you'll feel them and need to replace the cable). I've used this procedure for over 40 years and never had a failure or had to repeat lubing them.