Noisy Speedo - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

4tiresngas · 12-05-2009, 12:01 AM

My speedometer works fine some days...max speed limit on post is 30mph. But other days (more often than not) the needle bouces all over the place and the speedo makes all kinds of noise.

I thought it had something to do with the speedo cable. So, I bought a new one...doesn't look as quality as the one I had. But, I installed it and there was not noise. Threw the old one away, and sure enough a day or two later, the same noise and bouncing started again.

If I get another old speedo, can I pull the needle and face plate off? I have white gauges.

Thanks,

tcb-1 · 12-05-2009, 12:10 AM

hey Dan! little colder here than in Georgia, eh?

so you changed out the cable and it went back to making the noise and started bouncing again? hummm, usually you replace the cable and that will go away.

have you ever pulled the speedo and checked it for free movement? sometime they do get sticky.

I don't think it would be the transmission gearing, but???? do you have an auto or manual?

4tiresngas · 12-05-2009, 10:57 AM

Doug,

Heck yeah, I'm freezing my butt off! Worst yet, I just came here from 3 years on a tropical island (Okinawa).

It is an automatic. I was thinking about the gearing. Where the speedo cable connects to the transmission is the only place there is any sign of moisture (maybe the o-ring is bad). I was wondering if fluid getting in the cable could cause it.

I was hoping to just replace the speedo and keep my faceplaye and needle. I thought that might be easier than pulling the gears.

cdowns · 12-05-2009, 01:02 PM

have you tried to lubricate the cable with speedometer lube(graphite based) ?? loads of people make the mistake of using white lithium or even wheel bearing grease

4tiresngas · 12-05-2009, 04:42 PM

Yep. That's what I tried with the first speedo cable. No joy

unclewatts · 12-05-2009, 10:06 PM

My guess is that the speedo drive gear is worn. (I know you don't want to hear that.) My only other thought is that you've got too tight a radius on the cable. If the cable is too long or too short it can bind and cause the noise you are hearing.

MXmaniac · 12-06-2009, 02:01 AM

I'm gonna keep a close eye on this thread because mine does the EXACT same thing, except only when it's cold outside.

*vegaschevy* · 12-06-2009, 06:57 AM

My speedo has never made a sound and has been smooth as silk. However until yesterday are temps have been above 50. yesterday they dropped to below 40 and it makes noise and the needle is very jumpy. i can tell it is jumpy and notchy with the swirl of the noise. I am going to drop a little oil down in the cable and call it good. I am certain the metal swelled a bit and needs some lube in the cold.

Shaky · 12-06-2009, 09:48 AM

I had a '68 Biscayne that had a speedo that got noisy when it was cold. I was skiing in VT and the temperature was way below zero in the morning. I started it up and drove and the needle started bouncing wildly back and forth.

After a half mile or so, the needle broke off and that was the end of that. Odometer but no speedo after that!

4tiresngas · 12-09-2009, 05:05 PM

It was so bad Sunday, I pulled over and disconnected the speedo cable from the speedo. I'm just going to try a different speedo before I look at the gears.

4tiresngas · 12-17-2009, 07:24 PM

Okay!

Replaced the speedo today. That did it. Quiet as can be. I looked atr the backside of the old speedo. The slot where the cable slides in was wallowed out a little. I think the cable was just slipping in there.

I do have to give props to Mr. Ed Dial, who I bought the rebuilt dash from off Ebay in 2005. He guarantees his work, and he sent me a replacement white face speedo at no charge.

12-05-2009, 12:01 AM	#1
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Noisy Speedo My speedometer works fine some days...max speed limit on post is 30mph. But other days (more often than not) the needle bouces all over the place and the speedo makes all kinds of noise. I thought it had something to do with the speedo cable. So, I bought a new one...doesn't look as quality as the one I had. But, I installed it and there was not noise. Threw the old one away, and sure enough a day or two later, the same noise and bouncing started again. If I get another old speedo, can I pull the needle and face plate off? I have white gauges. Thanks, __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

12-05-2009, 12:10 AM	#2
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Noisy Speedo hey Dan! little colder here than in Georgia, eh? so you changed out the cable and it went back to making the noise and started bouncing again? hummm, usually you replace the cable and that will go away. have you ever pulled the speedo and checked it for free movement? sometime they do get sticky. I don't think it would be the transmission gearing, but???? do you have an auto or manual? __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

12-05-2009, 10:57 AM	#3
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Re: Noisy Speedo Doug, Heck yeah, I'm freezing my butt off! Worst yet, I just came here from 3 years on a tropical island (Okinawa). It is an automatic. I was thinking about the gearing. Where the speedo cable connects to the transmission is the only place there is any sign of moisture (maybe the o-ring is bad). I was wondering if fluid getting in the cable could cause it. I was hoping to just replace the speedo and keep my faceplaye and needle. I thought that might be easier than pulling the gears. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

12-05-2009, 01:02 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Noisy Speedo have you tried to lubricate the cable with speedometer lube(graphite based) ?? loads of people make the mistake of using white lithium or even wheel bearing grease __________________ 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

12-05-2009, 04:42 PM	#5
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Re: Noisy Speedo Yep. That's what I tried with the first speedo cable. No joy __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

12-05-2009, 10:06 PM	#6
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Noisy Speedo My guess is that the speedo drive gear is worn. (I know you don't want to hear that.) My only other thought is that you've got too tight a radius on the cable. If the cable is too long or too short it can bind and cause the noise you are hearing. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

12-06-2009, 02:01 AM	#7
MXmaniac Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denton, Texas Posts: 356	Re: Noisy Speedo I'm gonna keep a close eye on this thread because mine does the EXACT same thing, except only when it's cold outside. __________________ Andrew '69 C-20(292, 4-speed) Retired Daily Driver '64 C-10(250, 3-speed) Fixerupper '97 F*rd Mustang GT(4.6L, 5-speed) Daily Driver If I only wanted two pedals I'd have bought a bicycle.

12-06-2009, 06:57 AM	#8
vegaschevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2009 Location: las vegas nv Posts: 1,493	Re: Noisy Speedo My speedo has never made a sound and has been smooth as silk. However until yesterday are temps have been above 50. yesterday they dropped to below 40 and it makes noise and the needle is very jumpy. i can tell it is jumpy and notchy with the swirl of the noise. I am going to drop a little oil down in the cable and call it good. I am certain the metal swelled a bit and needs some lube in the cold.

12-06-2009, 09:48 AM	#9
Shaky Six in a row makes it go... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vacationland: Maine Posts: 1,346	Re: Noisy Speedo I had a '68 Biscayne that had a speedo that got noisy when it was cold. I was skiing in VT and the temperature was way below zero in the morning. I started it up and drove and the needle started bouncing wildly back and forth. After a half mile or so, the needle broke off and that was the end of that. Odometer but no speedo after that! __________________ 67 C20 long step resto: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342086 66 C10 long step build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3814790 CT to Alaska in a 67 C10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399224 “The height of sophistication is simplicity." - Clare Boothe Luce

12-09-2009, 05:05 PM	#10
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Re: Noisy Speedo It was so bad Sunday, I pulled over and disconnected the speedo cable from the speedo. I'm just going to try a different speedo before I look at the gears. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

12-17-2009, 07:24 PM	#11
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Re: Noisy Speedo Okay! Replaced the speedo today. That did it. Quiet as can be. I looked atr the backside of the old speedo. The slot where the cable slides in was wallowed out a little. I think the cable was just slipping in there. I do have to give props to Mr. Ed Dial, who I bought the rebuilt dash from off Ebay in 2005. He guarantees his work, and he sent me a replacement white face speedo at no charge. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil



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