speedo question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

76bonanza · 07-09-2003, 10:57 PM

my speedo needle is starting to jump and bounce alot. I changed the cable already help some. To remove the speedo gear from transfer case do I just remove cable then remove that nut and it comes out? Will fluid leak out of hole? What else could it be?

navybear70 · 07-10-2003, 12:48 AM

The speedo gear in the tranny is plastic, so I'm sure it might be old, and causing you're problem. It could also be a loose spring in the speedo?

DrMaserati · 07-10-2003, 03:25 AM

What you're describing is almost invariably caused by binding in the speedo cable. Did you lube the cable when you installed it? Did you replace just the inner cable, or also the outer? The outer sheath may have a small dent in it somewhere. If your truck has cruise control, did you replace/lube both cables? Is there a sharp curve somewhere in the cable? It can also be caused by the square end going into the back of the speedo head being slightly too long and binding when tightened up. Try loosening it slightly and see if that eliminates the problem. If so, carefully grind about 1/16" off of the square drive end.

Your problem is unlikely to be related to the drive gear.

JP

76bonanza · 07-10-2003, 08:10 AM

Yes I replaced the whole cable no I did not lube how do I do that?

And if I check the gear in the transfer case will fluid leak out?

Lots of people said it is almost always the gear.

Also no cruise I removed it with this new cable.

Thanks

76bonanza · 07-10-2003, 06:02 PM

ttt

**68 Stepside** · 07-10-2003, 07:42 PM

There are a bunch of different ways to lube the speedo cable. I don't think the gear in the t/c is the problem. Jumping speedos are quite often because of a bound or dry speedo cable. Dad always said "try the cheapest thing first". I would pull the speedo cable and lube it, and go from there.

(I've heard hundreds of different ways to lube one....I used regular grease...but someone will have a better way)

76bonanza · 07-10-2003, 07:49 PM

Ok use regular grease but do I pull the whole cable out of the sheath and then lube it or what??????????

**swervin ervin** · 07-10-2003, 09:08 PM

Yep, pull the cable out of the sheath. Use the white lithium grease.

76bonanza · 07-10-2003, 09:45 PM

Can I pull it out of the sheath with it mounted or do I need to take it all out then pull it out of the sheath?

DrMaserati · 07-11-2003, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 76bonanza
Lots of people said it is almost always the gear.

I would have to disagree with "lots of people." It is rarely the gear that makes the needle jump. It is almost always the cable.

Disconnect the cable from the back of the speedo and pull out the inner cable. Lube it as you put it back into the cable housing. White lithium will work. There is also speedometer cable lube available. At the shop I worked in about 30 years ago we used Vaseline with powdered graphite mixed into it. Worked great. Don't use heavy grease. You want something that doesn't harden up or get real thick when it's cold.

JP

07-09-2003, 10:57 PM	#1
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	speedo question my speedo needle is starting to jump and bounce alot. I changed the cable already help some. To remove the speedo gear from transfer case do I just remove cable then remove that nut and it comes out? Will fluid leak out of hole? What else could it be? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

07-10-2003, 12:48 AM	#2
navybear70 hometown heroes! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ewa Beach, HI Posts: 487	The speedo gear in the tranny is plastic, so I'm sure it might be old, and causing you're problem. It could also be a loose spring in the speedo? __________________ 2009 Silverado 2wd, 121k as of 04APR13. I love my truck 29 days out of the month. The payment is due on the 30th... Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. -Robert E. Lee "Never give up ground you've already taken." -Unknown

07-10-2003, 03:25 AM	#3
DrMaserati Village Curmudgeon Join Date: May 2003 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 75	What you're describing is almost invariably caused by binding in the speedo cable. Did you lube the cable when you installed it? Did you replace just the inner cable, or also the outer? The outer sheath may have a small dent in it somewhere. If your truck has cruise control, did you replace/lube both cables? Is there a sharp curve somewhere in the cable? It can also be caused by the square end going into the back of the speedo head being slightly too long and binding when tightened up. Try loosening it slightly and see if that eliminates the problem. If so, carefully grind about 1/16" off of the square drive end. Your problem is unlikely to be related to the drive gear. JP __________________ 78 Chevy K30 duallie, 454, TH400 78 IH Scout II, 4X4, 345, 727TF 76 IH Scout II, 4X4, 345, 727TF 65 IH 1200C pickup, 4X4, 345, 4 spd 48 IH KB-8-F, RD-450, 5 spd, 35,000 GVW (a REAL truck) "Life is too short to drink cheap beer." Harry S. Truman

07-10-2003, 08:10 AM	#4
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Yes I replaced the whole cable no I did not lube how do I do that? And if I check the gear in the transfer case will fluid leak out? Lots of people said it is almost always the gear. Also no cruise I removed it with this new cable. Thanks __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

07-10-2003, 06:02 PM	#5
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	ttt __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

07-10-2003, 07:42 PM	#6
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	There are a bunch of different ways to lube the speedo cable. I don't think the gear in the t/c is the problem. Jumping speedos are quite often because of a bound or dry speedo cable. Dad always said "try the cheapest thing first". I would pull the speedo cable and lube it, and go from there. (I've heard hundreds of different ways to lube one....I used regular grease...but someone will have a better way) __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

07-10-2003, 07:49 PM	#7
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Ok use regular grease but do I pull the whole cable out of the sheath and then lube it or what?????????? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO

07-10-2003, 09:08 PM	#8
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Yep, pull the cable out of the sheath. Use the white lithium grease. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

07-10-2003, 09:45 PM	#9
76bonanza Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St robert Mo Posts: 2,001	Can I pull it out of the sheath with it mounted or do I need to take it all out then pull it out of the sheath? __________________ 1968 c10 lowered 3" 4" 355/Th400 built by Hatfield racing in joplin MO



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