Speedometer "sticking" at random

B

Banditorama

Senior Member
The oval Speedometer was in rough shape originally when I first got the car. I took it apart, cleaned it, lubricated it, and re-stickered everything. After a few hiccups I've got the odometer, trip meter, and speedo "working".

But, the speedometer wheel itself is wobbly as it scrolls up and down in speed. Also, it's intermittently getting hung up at 10 to 15mph (one time 35) as the car decelerates to a stop. If you give it a firm couple taps it come back down to 0 or if you roll over a bump as you're coming to a stop it'll keep moving. It doesn't hang up all the time but will hang up several times during a drive

The odometer and trip meter are working correctly. The numbers move smoothly and continue to register miles even if the speedo is hung up.
 
Grease is the wrong lubricant for the speedometer cable. Grease congeals in cold weather, so the cable will turn erratically. Use graphite powder to lube the cable. Also, if you over grease the U-joint, that grease will get into the speedometer cable. As for the speedometer, a very light oil applies sparingly is good. Do not use grease in the speedometer.
 
Inside the "turtle" where the gears live I used grease

For the speedo cable I used a white lithium grease

Inside the speedo itself I used sewing machine oil
 
Next time I have it apart I'll have to check the alignment of the speed wheel. Is there a procedure to check that?

Jack, when you say pivot ends, what part are you referring to?

Thanks guys
 
Banditorama said:
Next time I have it apart I'll have to check the alignment of the speed wheel. Is there a procedure to check that?

Jack, when you say pivot ends, what part are you referring to?

Thanks guys
Click to expand...

It's the end of the shaft/arbor that steps down in diameter that then inserts into a bushing. Simular to a motor shaft bearing setup. On a motor the shaft fits tight to the bearing.
A pivot spins freely inside the bushing.
 
There is a specific type of lubricant for speedometers still made.
Just can't find where I it put it!
White grease will work, I have used it at times. Maybe it's not the best,
but in So Cal, I get away with the warmer temps allowing me to use it.
 
The vendors sell a graphite speedometer cable lubricant. I put in a new cable 4 years/8000 miles ago, used the graphite lubricant, and it has performed perfectly; spot-on MPH and odometer readings. I was told by Model A friends to not use grease!
 
I did the exact same thing as Gary and it has worked fine for over 3 years. Not sure where I got the graphite lube but my guess is Bert's.
 
Update: Problem Solved!

I followed most of the instructions for rebuilding it from here:http://www.modelahouse.com/tech/speedometer/fischer.html

Per that site, I set the speed cup up/down play to 0.015" play. The speed cup was ever-so-slightly dragging on the odometer wheels that sit underneath it. I got some little washers and put them under just the front two screws that hold the entire speed cup assembly in place.

That threw the speedometer reading but I was able to fix that by adjusting the magnet plate. I verified I had it right with GPS and it reads 100% on the money accurate speed. No more hang-ups and the odometer, speedo, and trip meter are all fully functional.

Thank you everyone for all your help between this thread and all the other ones I've had trying to get this speedo working properly!
 
Glad to hear you solved the problem. Also glad to see all the speedo info I posted on the "Model A House" technical site years ago helped your project. Ray Beardslee
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top