31 Coupe Speedometer Grinding Noise

A

Auernig

Junior Member
Hey guys,

18 years ago, my grandfather passed away and left me with his fully restored 1931 Standard Coupe and that same year it stopped running. I was 14 at the time and didn't know alot about it or how to get it running but am not the type to let something like that out of my hands and have kept in in a garage the whole time.

After several small repairs (carb adjustments, rebuilt the water pump, new throttle springs etc.) it started on the first try after 18 years of sitting in my garage and now runs fairly well.

Had to give you the context on the fact that I am a serious but motivated rookie. :)

On to my question -> Since 1979 my car has seen a total of 277 miles. 40 of which have been put on it in the last 3 weeks. Initially the speedometer worked great. Each weekend I am getting a progressively louder noise coming from the speedometer. This sunday, the speedometer started randomly going up and down like it disengaged or something.

The noise is a high pitch grinding noise and I am not sure if the speedometer gears are broken, if the cable needs to be lubricated or if there is some other issue. The noise has also become louder than the engine noise. Regardless, I've stopped driving it out of fear that I will break something.

I've read alot of forums but none seem to address this issue. Any thoughts?

-Thanks for your help and sorry for the repost!

Auernig
 
I would remove the 4 screws and pull the instrument panel forward, then remove the cable from the speedometer. Pull the inside cable out and inspect it for kinks and frays. If it's good then lube it by squirting some oil down the outer hoousing and insert the cable with grease. I put a dab of grease in my left hand and run the cable through it, then push it into the housing while giving it a squirt of oil every foot or so.

Now turn the shaft on the speedometer if you can with your fingers. It should turn freely and smoothly. I've had to usually remove the oval tin cover and remove the oil dried grease and put in some Mystik JT-6 high temp grease. I also remove the cover on the speedometer and put oil and grease on each of the bushings and gears.
 
I had the same problem. Mine ended up in the speedometer. I took it apart and lubed the gears inside the speedometer. I haven't road tested it because I have the radiator out for repairs. However, I tested it with a drill and got it up to 80mph with no noise. Like Tom said I would pull the cable from the housing and grease and reinsert it. It is easy to do. I lubed mine and tested it without the speedometer connected. Then I started with the speedometer. I have Lew Andrews Maintenance Guide and Handbook and it had some pretty good directions and illustrations for the speedometer. Good Luck.
 
Hay It sounds like the bushings inside the speedometer are very dry. Take the speedo out and take the bezel off. Remove the bolt from the back of the case and pull the inside part out. Remove the plate that covers the drive gear and clean out the old lube. then lube with wd40. this will lube the bushing. Put a little lube on the gears and put the cover back on. this should take care of the speedometer. If you can not get it you can send it to me. But check the cable to. Hope this helps. papanick.
 
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