Noisy speedometer - 1951 Ford

tubman

tubman

Well-known member
Last fall, the first time I took my car out after the weather turned cold, the speedometer started making a noise and jumping around. I pulled the cable, cleaned and lubed it and put it back in, which seemed to solve the problem.

A couple of days ago, it was 52 degrees when I took off for town. As soon as I hit about 50 mph, the speedometer started really jumping badly and making a terrible screeching sound. I checked the cable and it still seems well lubed (with special speedometer cable lubricant). I then searched the forum, and it looks to me that the speedometer head itself needs to be lubricated. I found all kinds of information about the earlier cars, but nothing about the later models. I don't think the lubricant port is the same place as the earlier cars. Does anyone know where it is or how to lube one of these?

(At my age, I'm seriously "under-the-dash" impaired.):(
 
Last edited:
Re: Noisy sepeedometer - 1951 Ford

Hi Tubman,
I have also experienced these symptoms recently in my 48 Mercury. I did the research and it sounded straight forward. I decided to remove the speedo. IE. remove front seat, to make room for my body, remove heater to make room for my head!
Getting it on the bench, there were no plugs to remove of wicks to oil. So I dismantled it from its case and found a tiny hole on the top of the round body, on the outside hidden by one of the screw heads! no need to dismantle it. I lubricated this for a day or two with three in one oil then reassembled it. Now that its back together it is smooth and accurate once again. A PITA job for those no longer nimble.
My suggestion, find a nimble teenager that will listen to instruction!
good luck, Dave
 

Attachments

  • 1950 Ford Speedometer arrow.jpg
    1950 Ford Speedometer arrow.jpg
    40.3 KB · Views: 102
  • DSCN9998 (2).jpg
    DSCN9998 (2).jpg
    22.2 KB · Views: 87
Last edited:
Re: Noisy sepeedometer - 1951 Ford

Thanks guys. I'll crawl up there (as best I can) and see if I can find the lube hole.

Thanks "Merc Cruzer" for the picture.
 
Re: Noisy sepeedometer - 1951 Ford

tubman said:
Thanks guys. I'll crawl up there (as best I can) and see if I can find the lube hole.

Thanks "Merc Cruzer" for the picture.
Click to expand...

I am not sure how a 53 Ford speedo comes out. My 53' Merc has 5 screws and you can tilt it forward to get to the back.

I found the picture on the web. Quite a few of the front, but very few of the backs. Maybe some one will chime in on how to get the speedo out, unless you have done it before.

The 3in1 oil, in that container, works great, just for this purpose.

Good luck with the project.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top