lubrication for speedometer cable

[Roger W Gerow]

Search did not locate information. I've removed entire speedometer cable and housing. They have been cleaned up with solvent. Now, open to suggestions on what to use for lubrication. HELP!

 

[Zeke3]

I have used speedometer cable lube that is a graphite powder.

 

[fordor41]

I've used silicone grease with good luck. Used on disc brake pins, can find at auto parts stores.

 

[pistonbroke]

They used to sell speedometer cable lube in a little tube about the size of your thumb. I think it was SAE 30 with graphite powder in it as it was black as sin and about that viscosity. I also used it in the speedometer head as well with great results. Tim

 

[19Fordy]

Roger, also make sure your speedometer cable is installed straight into the back of your speedo without any sharp bends. I use a wire tie to support mine in a 40 Ford.
I would hesitate about using oil or grease as they hold contaminents and dry out.

 

[Seth Swoboda]

I have used white lithium grease on mine with success.

 

[51504bat]

I use this from Dorman
https://www.dormanproducts.com/p-565-03344.aspx
or Lock Ease from Ace and other places.

 

[Roger W Gerow]

Thanks for all the neat replies. Wonder what would happen if I mixed graphite powder with lithium grease?

 

[Fritz]

I had a bouncing speedometer needle and researched speedo cable lube. I kept finding the recommended lube is graphite. Not sure about the Dorman tube now, but it was not in stock anywhere a couple months ago. So, I bought a big spray can of Slip Plate Chain and Cable graphite lubricant at Napa. It worked like a charm.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_35201G?impressionRank=7

 

[1948F-1Pickup]

I did the truck a few years back by cleaning the core and housing and then mixing white grease and graphite….. which I then liberally applied to the core. Between that and a clean & lube on the speedo head, my needle has been rock steady.

 

[Flathead Fever]

Originally, we used white lithium brake grease at the phone company because that's what we had. 400 speedo cables at that facility that would eventually get noisy. The safety department had a list of approved chemicals we were allowed to have and if it wasn't on the approved MSDS list we couldn't have it. Later on, we used the synthetic disc brake caliper slide grease on the speedo cables, brake caliper slides and the drum brakes' backing plates where the shoes move on them. I wouldn't mix different types of grease.

Great invention those electronic speedometers with speed sensors instead of cables.

 

[Alaska Jim]

I have had good luck soaking the inner cable in an old metal coffee can filled with Automatic transmission fluid. let it soak over night. let the excess drip off the cable then reinsert it in the "sheath". It can be messy, but it has worked for me many times. This method may not be for everyone, because of the mess. do not wipe the cable off after soaking it , just let the excess drip off

 

[1948F-1Pickup]

I wouldn't mix different types of grease.

I agree. Graphite in white grease is ideal because graphite isn’t a grease.

 

[Merc Cruzer]

Not sure what car you have, but mine is a 53' Merc. I use 3 in 1 oil here (see arrow or the same location on your spedo). I find that most of the "bounce" can be eliminated, by oiling this point quite often. You can use it on the cable too.