Speedometer lubrication

Rich Largent

Rich Largent

Member
I just bought a 56 2dr Victoria. Working through a few gremlins here and there. One is a noisy speedometer. The unit works but the needle dances a little with a very noticeable noise coming from the panel. What's the best product to use to quiet the cable? Back in the Dark Ages I seem to recall graphite powder was recommended.
 
i use the extreme pressure grease that is used for front wheel drive ujoints, its thin, wont get hard in cold weather, and has grafite in it, just need a little and the cable, except the last 6" near the speedo head, dont put any, if lubing the cable doesnt stop the problem you will need to lube the speedo head, come back and let us know if lubbing the cable helped, if not we will tell you how to lube the speedo head
 
the trouble is in your speedo head.sometimes you can fix it for awile by taking the cable of and squirting some oil into the head.
 
The fact that the speedo unit makes noise suggests that the speedo head is dry.
The bouncing needle can be caused by either the cable needing lube or the speedo head.
I would go ahead and do both and kill two birds with one stone.
If the needle still bounces after lubing, I would suggest removing the instrument cluster and removing the speedo unit from the cluster for a thorough cleaning and relube moving parts with few drops of 3-in-1 oil. Be especially diligent with cleaning the area around the speedo head. If there is a hardened grease buildup in that area, it needs to be removed before oiling it. If the hardened grease buildup is not removed, the needle will continue to bounce.
 
I just replaced the one in my 57 wagon over the weekend. Its not worked since I bought it but came with one. I got it all pulled out to check it and the tip that goes into the plastic gear was broke off flush and there was a bunch of wound up wire from the cable wadded up in it. Maybe yours is similar but the wire just has not broke all the way off yet? Glad mine will be working now as the new motor goes in on Sat.
 
There is a very small oil cup, on top of the speedometer head, that may have a piece of felt in it left over from assembly about 1/2" from from where the speedo cable screws on. If you stick your finger up there you will probably feel it. This is for lubricating the shaft that the cable turns and runs through the speedo head. A couple of drops of 3n1 oil or sewing machine oil will probably cure your problem. I do this about every 2-3 years and it eliminates the needle fluctuating. This is providing the speedo cable is also properly greased.
 
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