Speedometer cable lubing
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: germantown tn
Speedometer cable lubing
ok speedo started making a clicking sound not all of the time but every once in awhile usually at a higher speed, i bought a tool from ecklers i believe that fits on cable end and you can lube it. ok got end off which wasnt too easy , sprayed what i could of some cable lube spray in, i dont think much went inside though then what i figured not toomuch lube maybe 10 pumps ok now i take out no click but needle jumps around which it has never done, it did jump a little always up to about 15 mph but now , i say now i just did it today bounces +/- 5 mph, now not sure if the lube has totally warmed up or spread inside housing , i did drive maybe 7 miles or so still bounced, i guess the question is are we toast or will it level off with time? inside may have been junked up new lube isnt doing it , was hoping this would work and avoid getting behind sppedo
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I also have the same problem. I read that you are supposed to lube the cable from bottom end up 3/4 of the way and reinstall. You can disconnect the cable from the back of the speedo and pull the inner cable out, lube it up and reinstall. I tried that route before replacing the cable. It still bounced so I replaced my cable altogether and still have the bouncing anywhere from 5 to 15 mph.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Lubrication of the cables will cause premature failure in the speedo or tachometer. The cable is reverse wound and will push the grease in the head. Doesn't sound bad, but the first worm bushing is an oylite bushing... they don't like grease.
Here is what GM suggested we do about lubing..
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=283
Here is what GM suggested we do about lubing..
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=283
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jun 19, 2011 at 10:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: germantown tn
i really didnt think i put that much in and it was bouncing the first 10 feet after i did it , may have though so what would be the best deal just to install a whole new cable? and hope the speedometer is fine
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
First of all, you don't really have any idea of what the cause of the original symptoms was. So, I think the best thing to do is unclip the speedo cable from the back side of the speedometer ( you can get to it without too much trouble), then pull the cable out and clean it well with mineral spririts, lacquer thinner, or other volatile cleaner. Then just put a bit of graphite lube on a lint-free shop towel and wipe that on the entire length of the cable. You need very little of that graphite to lubricate the cable. I wouldn't try to clean out the cable housing, just clean and lube the cable and reinstall it. See what happens. If it keeps hopping around, replace the cable and keep your fingers crossed.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Groton MA
If you're sure it is the cable just replace it. They aren't expensive and you only do the job once. I tried lubing mine and it worked for a couple of months. Then I replaced the cable as I should have in the begining.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
some times the cable ends get rounded that can cause the jumping up and down .the fix is new ends or a new cable .i would check the cruse control.the cable from the trany to the cc you can put all the grease you want on and should not have a problem.the cable to the speedo i would only use a light coating of graphite.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: germantown tn
DOesnt have cruise i dont think they had it way back then on a vette , i think the problem is that when the cable gets old and dried on the inside you cant "lube" it . maybe if you remove he inner cable and soak it but you still have dried lube in tube and after all that trouble you might as well spend 25.00 and replace the whole thing . my problem was the clip on back i gave it a 50% effort to reach behind but since new cable wasnt in yet i will wait, i got my hand on clip and pushed down but it didnt want to release
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,423
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From: mount holly NC
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Have a helper pull on the cable from under the hood while you press the clip under the dash.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Lubrication of the cables will cause premature failure in the speedo or tachometer. The cable is reverse wound and will push the grease in the head. Doesn't sound bad, but the first worm bushing is an oylite bushing... they don't like grease.
Here is what GM suggested we do about lubing..
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=283
Here is what GM suggested we do about lubing..
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=283
thanks for that bit of info
