Bouncing Speed Finally Cured!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Bouncing Speed Finally Cured!
CF Public Service Announcement:
As part of my stereo install I removed and repainted the ring on the tach/speedo. I had tried lubricating the upper speedo cable in the past but no matter what I did I still had a bouncy needle when I got above ~50MPH. I expected it was linked to the cruise control module. The lower cable and the drive gear were replaced in the past and seemed fine.
I pulled the short cable that connects the cruise to the speedo from its sleeve and coated it with dry graphite lubricant, really working it into the spring. Working from behind the speedo I also placed the tiniest drop of light machine oil (the kind that I use for those dastardly small slot car motors to keep them happy) on the barreled insert of the mechanism where the cable inserts into the speedo. I used a square headed nut driver to rotate the insert and work the oil into the mechanism. I repeated this oiling 2 more times. End result...speedo holds rock steady all the way up through and past 80 MPH. Hopefully no long term effects from the oiling but so far so good.
Smiles, Steve
As part of my stereo install I removed and repainted the ring on the tach/speedo. I had tried lubricating the upper speedo cable in the past but no matter what I did I still had a bouncy needle when I got above ~50MPH. I expected it was linked to the cruise control module. The lower cable and the drive gear were replaced in the past and seemed fine.
I pulled the short cable that connects the cruise to the speedo from its sleeve and coated it with dry graphite lubricant, really working it into the spring. Working from behind the speedo I also placed the tiniest drop of light machine oil (the kind that I use for those dastardly small slot car motors to keep them happy) on the barreled insert of the mechanism where the cable inserts into the speedo. I used a square headed nut driver to rotate the insert and work the oil into the mechanism. I repeated this oiling 2 more times. End result...speedo holds rock steady all the way up through and past 80 MPH. Hopefully no long term effects from the oiling but so far so good.
Smiles, Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I think the oil might cause you problems down the road. If you get into it again soon, use graphite powder or white lithium to lube the cables. Also, you can remove the whole cable easily from the top by pulling the clip and getting it down under the dash.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
A light coating of white lithium grease (from a tube, not a spray can) along the cable....except near the ends...is your best bet. Graphite can get cork-screwed into the speedo or tach head and gum stuff up. Just a suggestion.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 3
From: Platteville WI
You may find this interesting.... My speedo always worked fine until I decided to play with the trip odometer which didn't work. I managed to get the trip set to zero and then I took car for a spin. Speedo jumped all over and the main odometer stopped working. For a moment I thought, cool, I can drive the car without putting any miles on the odometer. The old conscience wouldn't let me do that, so I fiddled with the trip switch and the speedo stopped bouncing around. Hmmmm.
