Needle??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70' GMC · 07-29-2007, 09:36 PM

my mph needle when it goes from 0 to 30 the needle shakes makes kinda like click clack sound

Longhorn Man · 07-29-2007, 09:56 PM

the speedo cable needs cleaned, and then lubed with graphite.

Texasbigblock · 07-29-2007, 10:07 PM

mine used to do that, i took out the inner cable, coated it with white lithium grease and slid it back in. Worked great!

Longhorn Man · 07-29-2007, 10:45 PM

I wouldn't use any kind of grease

Texasbigblock · 07-29-2007, 10:48 PM

why not use grease? White lithium grease resists all moisture and probably will never dissolve or age.

**Stocker** · 07-29-2007, 11:25 PM

While I think Andy's right about using graphite, I didn't know about that when I lubed my cable with white lithium grease many, many years ago. It's still working fine.

airdale94 · 07-30-2007, 10:56 AM

I used to use gear oil.

70' GMC · 07-30-2007, 10:33 PM

could I get directions with pictures????

68gmsee · 07-30-2007, 11:45 PM

I think the reason that they don't recommend grease, is that in dusty environments dirt tends to stick to the cable. Here in Texas we have a lot of caliche (limestone), gravel and dirt roads that are extremely dusty when dry. If you use any kind of grease or oil they get pretty nasty looking.

I'd say if its mostly city driving, lithium lube or a lite oil would be okay.

68gmsee · 07-30-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70' GMC

could I get directions with pictures????

You should be able to just reach behind the instrument panel where the cable connects and disconnect it from there. Pull the cable out from the sheath with a pair of needle nose or duckbills.

After cleaning and lubing (or graphiting) slide it back in until it's all the way in.

GREASEMONKEY72 · 07-30-2007, 11:54 PM

so you can just pull it out from the speedo end and put back in the same way and thats it???

cdowns · 07-31-2007, 12:04 AM

the grease causes drag and over the years the accumulation of the metal residue cloggs the cable // thats why the manufacturers came up with the speedo cable lube as it polishs the inside of the housing for a friction free turning of the cable

68gmsee · 07-31-2007, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREASEMONKEY72

so you can just pull it out from the speedo end and put back in the same way and thats it???

That's what I've done on mine. The cable has squared off ends that fit into corresponding holes in the speedometer and the transmission gear.

Now if your casing looks dirty and you want to do a complete clean and lube then I would disonnect from trans end also and remove the whole cable and casing.

07-29-2007, 09:36 PM	#1
70' GMC HERE.......Somewhere Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 2,488	Needle??? my mph needle when it goes from 0 to 30 the needle shakes makes kinda like click clack sound __________________ Current rides: 2013 Hyundai elantra gt DD 1995 camaro my first crush lmao Was: 1970 with a 350 4barrel and 288 horses Classics make it possible!

07-29-2007, 09:56 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Needle??? the speedo cable needs cleaned, and then lubed with graphite. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 07-29-2007 at 09:56 PM.

07-29-2007, 10:07 PM	#3
Texasbigblock Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 252	Re: Needle??? mine used to do that, i took out the inner cable, coated it with white lithium grease and slid it back in. Worked great! __________________ -Scott- 1970 C10 shortbed 396 1969 C30 dually flatbed "Vidalia"

07-29-2007, 10:45 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Needle??? I wouldn't use any kind of grease

07-29-2007, 10:48 PM	#5
Texasbigblock Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 252	Re: Needle??? why not use grease? White lithium grease resists all moisture and probably will never dissolve or age. __________________ -Scott- 1970 C10 shortbed 396 1969 C30 dually flatbed "Vidalia"

07-29-2007, 11:25 PM	#6
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,694	Re: Needle??? While I think Andy's right about using graphite, I didn't know about that when I lubed my cable with white lithium grease many, many years ago. It's still working fine. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-30-2007, 10:56 AM	#7
airdale94 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Topeka,KS Posts: 778	Re: Needle??? I used to use gear oil.

07-30-2007, 10:33 PM	#8
70' GMC HERE.......Somewhere Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 2,488	Re: Needle??? could I get directions with pictures???? __________________ Current rides: 2013 Hyundai elantra gt DD 1995 camaro my first crush lmao Was: 1970 with a 350 4barrel and 288 horses Classics make it possible!

07-30-2007, 11:45 PM	#9
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Needle??? I think the reason that they don't recommend grease, is that in dusty environments dirt tends to stick to the cable. Here in Texas we have a lot of caliche (limestone), gravel and dirt roads that are extremely dusty when dry. If you use any kind of grease or oil they get pretty nasty looking. I'd say if its mostly city driving, lithium lube or a lite oil would be okay.

07-30-2007, 11:54 PM	#11
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: Needle??? so you can just pull it out from the speedo end and put back in the same way and thats it??? __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME

07-31-2007, 12:04 AM	#12
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Needle??? the grease causes drag and over the years the accumulation of the metal residue cloggs the cable // thats why the manufacturers came up with the speedo cable lube as it polishs the inside of the housing for a friction free turning of the cable __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

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