1978 Speedo squeaks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 166
Likes: 8
From: Acworth GA
1978 Speedo squeaks
I have a slight squeak - squeak - squeak coming from the area of the speedo when the car starts moving. At low speeds I can see the speedo needle bounce slightly at the same pace as the squeak.
I'm hoping the cable needs lube. Is there an easy way to lube the cable? As the cable is spiraled wires, will putting lube in it at the transmission end make the lube work it's way up as the cable is turned?
What kind of lube should I use? I was thinking about lithium or sprayed silicon lube. What might be better?
Thanks
Rich
I'm hoping the cable needs lube. Is there an easy way to lube the cable? As the cable is spiraled wires, will putting lube in it at the transmission end make the lube work it's way up as the cable is turned?
What kind of lube should I use? I was thinking about lithium or sprayed silicon lube. What might be better?
Thanks
Rich
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 166
Likes: 8
From: Acworth GA
I wonder if I can pull it from the transmission end?
I read a post that said be careful lubing it as the speedo will get gummed up with excessive lube.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 166
Likes: 8
From: Acworth GA
I guess I'll just jack it up and give it a try. I hope nothing breaks.
It bit my *** when I changed the multi-leaf rear springs out for a single composite spring and the left front bolt broke off in the diff housing when I was removing them. I'm almost afraid to turn any bolts or screws now.
But on the other hand it sure rides nicer.
It bit my *** when I changed the multi-leaf rear springs out for a single composite spring and the left front bolt broke off in the diff housing when I was removing them. I'm almost afraid to turn any bolts or screws now.
But on the other hand it sure rides nicer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 166
Likes: 8
From: Acworth GA
Well I jacked up the left side of the car and crawled under it. The speedometer cable wasn't hard to find on that side of the automatic. It wasn't even that hard to unscrew by hand.
I thought I would be able to pull out the inside cable, clean it, lube it and put it back. When I tried to pull the cable it moved about 3/4 inch and stopped. It came to a hard stop as if it was not meant to come out. The car does not have cruise control so there's only one cable. Am I wrong about being able to pull the cable out of the housing? Is there more to it than just a cable in the housing going from the trans to the speedo?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
Mine squeaked for awhile and then stopped dead. I do have a cruise control transducer but I think your single cable would be the same, just longer. I sprayed lubricant into the end I could access, I suggest pulling your cable up into the engine bay so gravity will help feed the lube to the speedometer. I chucked the end of the actual drive cable into a power drill and ran it in REVERSE for awhile. Worked like a charm!