Broken Speedo (not the bathing suit)

[71GMCer]

Hey all,

The speedometer in my 70' GMC is broke....i plugged the back part in (behind the dash) because it was unplugged when i got it and the Odometer works but the Needle makes an annoying racket and just bounces when i drive. Solution?

Matt

[neba]

i had a broken needle.shop wanted $200 to repair. LMC wants $75 for new. found complete panel on ebay for $25

[Classic Heartbeat]

Needle bouncing around usualy means that your cabe is either dry or getting ready to brake. I would take the cable loose from the speedometer and you should be able to pull the center cable out of it. Inspect it for frays or dryness. If it is frayed, then go to your local parts house and get a replacement inner cable. Follow the directions in the package and reinstall it. WES

[71GMCer]

alright...well i took it out and there is no frays and its not broken but it is dry....how should i lube it?

[Leviticus]

Originally Posted by 71GMCer

alright...well i took it out and there is no frays and its not broken but it is dry....how should i lube it?

Get some Speedo Lube, they should sell it at your local "Men shouldn't wear this stuff outlet"

Sorry I couldn't help myself.

I personally would just use some Lucas red grease but someone will probably chime in with the "correct" cable lube to use, or should I say Speedo Lube

[70jnktrk]

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

Needle bouncing around usualy means that your cabe is either dry or getting ready to brake. I would take the cable loose from the speedometer and you should be able to pull the center cable out of it. Inspect it for frays or dryness. If it is frayed, then go to your local parts house and get a replacement inner cable. Follow the directions in the package and reinstall it. WES

learning stuff all the time...the cable should pull out of the housing when I disconnect it behind the speedo?...good news...mine bounces between graphite sprayings...whole thing needs to be removed and looked at/lubed...thanks

[71GMCer]

I just removed mine and it was dry so i ragged it off and then just put some multipurpose greese on it

hopefully it works

[PHAT TONY]

That racket is the thingamabob rubbing on the back of the gauge as it spins; had a '69 that did that, only fix I found was replace the gauge. (I was really hoping to hear of a duct-taped banana hammock!)

[Legolas894]

I used White Lithium spray on mine. If you're curious, you might want to check the driven gear on the transmission where the cable hooks up to . My gear had a few missing teeth and that caused the needle to jump around a lot too.

[71GMCer]

alright...well when i unscrewed it from the top of the transfer case some oil came pouring out....normal?

[Legolas894]

Yeah, that's normal. The gear is held in by a little flap of steel that has a screw holding it. If you take the screw off, you can pull the gear out and look at it to see if any teeth are missing. The gears are cheap but make sure if you are buying a new one that you get the same color. The same color should have the same number of teeth and pitch.

Good luck.