Noisy Speedometer?

RL Chilton
RL Chilton Administrator, Member
in HUDSON
I'm working out a few bugs on the convertible, now that she is on the road.  One such problem is that the speedo is screaming like a banshee.  Last night,  I took the cable out and gave it a good oiling, but it was obvious that I had done that before I installed it.  So, I think I have it narrowed down to two options:

1.  The speedometer housing itself needs to be oiled.  Honestly, I re-built it so long ago I can't remember if I oiled it then, but I'm thinking I surely had to (I'm usually very thorough).  Is there a good method for oiling the housing or does it need to be taken apart again?

2.  I thought I remember reading on one of the forums not long ago that there were two (or more) different lengths of speedo cables (can't remember where I saw the thread).  Maybe I have the wrong one?  Does anyone have a known length for stepdown with Hydramatic?

I did a search on the forums and didn't come up with much and didn't see anything specific in the MPM, the regular manual or the body manual.  

What say y'all?  

Comments

  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    edited July 2015
    I found the other thread:

  • KTRON
    KTRON Member
    edited July 2015
    Russell, I'd definitely check the run of your speedometer cable. Mechanical cable drives do not like any sharp turns, and are usually lubricated with a #0 or #00 grease. I have heard that ATF works well, but I use #00 grease in my cable drives and they are nice and quiet. The gauge itself can make noise if the oilite bushing is dry. A very tiny amount of 3 in 1 oil works good. You do not want to over lubricate the inside of a gauge. Speedometers and tachometers have hair springs which are calibrated and do not like oil nor the dirt they attract and hold.  A good test would be to disconnect the cable drive from the transmission and have someone spin it slowly with a drill. Disconnecting the other end from the speedometer in the vehicle can help pinpoint any sharp turns in the cable. If a new cable needs to be made, try Mr.Speedometer.com

    Chris
  • Lee ODell
    Lee ODell Senior Contributor
    Thank you for the pictures. They explain a lot. Now I know where to look for oil hole.
    Lee O'Dell
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    When mine started to go crazy, I unscrewed the shaft and stuck the tube of a WD can in the back of the spedo and gave it a squirt.  4 Years later and no more problems.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    I guess I posted on the other forum and not this one, but that's basically what I did (found the oiling hole).  So far so good, no more screaming.  
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