How to lubricate a Speedometer

[Model A Ron]

My speedometer turns free by hand but it does feel like a little lubrication would do it some good. Has anyone lubricated a speedometer and if so what would be the procedure? Also what oil should be used.

Thanks
Ron

 

[Mark in MT]

Oft times the problem is that the lube that the factory uses 90+ years ago has turned to concrete. Sometimes fresh oil will help, but must be used sparingly or it will migrate onto visible places. To do an effective job, it is best to remove unit from case clean out old and add fresh new lube. Sometimes, the shafts have become tight due to the pot metal frame distorting over time, these are a special challenge.
Mark

 

[Chris Haynes]

I send my Corbin speedometers to Stan the Speedometer Man. He can lube, calibrate, or restore your speedometer.
Vintage Rust Speedometer Works
22603 South Crest Way
Yarnell, AZ 85362
602 292 7441

 

[Model A Ron]

I send my Corbin speedometers to Stan the Speedometer Man. He can lube, calibrate, or restore your speedometer.
Vintage Rust Speedometer Works
22603 South Crest Way
Yarnell, AZ 85362
602 292 7441

What kind of price could I expect from Stan for a lube and calibration?

 

[McMimmcs]

What kind of price could I expect from Stan for a lube and calibration?

You should check out Papanick. He is on here all the time. Wayne

 

[Model A Ron]

You should check out Papanick. He is on here all the time. Wayne

Do you have any contact info for Papanick?

 

[McMimmcs]

Do you have any contact info for Papanick?

Search posts here under speedometers and also search swap meet.

 

[papanick]

Hi you can email me at jrnichols642@yahoo.com then we can get your speedometer working the way it should. papanick

 

[Jim Brierley]

I understand that if you take a speedo apart you will upset the magnetism and it will need re-calibrating??? I have lubed a speedo by soaking the stem section in oil, not hard to do and it worked for me. I let it soak overnight to get oil all the way up into the stem.

 

[Model A Ron]

I understand that if you take a speedo apart you will upset the magnetism and it will need re-calibrating??? I have lubed a speedo by soaking the stem section in oil, not hard to do and it worked for me. I let it soak overnight to get oil all the way up into the stem.

Jim
I have not tried to do anything yet so could you give a little more of a description regard the stem. What location is it on the speedometer? How do you remove it? What kind of oil do you use. Thanks for all your help.

Ron

 

[The Master Cylinder]

I understand that if you take a speedo apart you will upset the magnetism and it will need re-calibrating???

Jim, I did not know that. I was just planning on taking my "rebuilt" speedometer apart to see if I could speed it up as suggested by 1930 Coupe. Now I think I will wait a minute to see what other say.

There are 3 adjustments on the calibration. If your odometer is correct move the metal tab to the left to make it read faster. The other two adjustments require special equipment and training, If you move it all the way to the left and it is still too slow then someone with the special equipment and training will need to adjust it.

 

[Model A Ron]

I understand that if you take a speedo apart you will upset the magnetism and it will need re-calibrating??? I have lubed a speedo by soaking the stem section in oil, not hard to do and it worked for me. I let it soak overnight to get oil all the way up into the stem.

How do you get the stem section out and what kind of oil do you use? I was going to try this first and see if it helps. My speedometer was rebuilt 350 miles back but it does not turn by hand as easy as I would like it to .......however it does work.

 

[katy]

Mark in MT does good work on speedometers and reasonably priced.

https://www.marksspeedometer.com/

 

[Jim Brierley]

I just put engine oil in a small can, and set only the stem into the oil, and leave it there overnight. Set it deep enough to get most or all of the stem submerged. I was a civilian employee at LAPD, we did our own speedo repairs, that's where I learned what little I know about speedos.

 

[Mark in MT]

The input shaft should turn easily with the tips of your fingers, no tools required. Anything tighter will put strain on the cable, leading to erratic speed readings and possible cable damage. If the shaft is too tight, sometimes soaking in oil will help, but not always. I use synthetic motor oil as it will not dry out over time. In the case of oil not helping, the shaft may be tight in the bearings or on the end play. I have a special tool to relieve this issue. When they are right, the magnet should spin freely when flicked with a finger with no end play.