Noisy Speedometer

[Deryl]

First off, I did a search, but did not see anything that specificaly addressed how to lube the speedometer. I finally put a cable on my 63 and proud of myself I took it for a drive. The speedometer itself is noisey as hell, maybe because I have driven it for five years without a cable. The searches I did mostly referenced the cable, but the noise is obviously the speedo head. I didn't see anything, other than random suggestions, how to lube the head. Can it be done sufficiently in place or does it need to come out. As usual any help is appreciated.

[Gus63]

Almost the same exact thing is happeneing to me right now on my 63. I ended up disconnecting the cable on mine today because I can't deal with it any more. I couldn't get in there to lubricate it, so I would guess it would be best to take it out

[63sbssbbw]

Mine was making quite a racket too
I did manage to get the straw into the speedo head without making a big mess.
I think it helped that the can was on the full side.
even calmed the needle down a bit too.
T

[NF65Fleetside]

I have the same problem, it kinda does it when it wants though...needle bounces a tad but sometimes the thing just goes crazy and brings the noise with it too. so you guys say I can just lube it some how and things will mellow out?.....sorry, not trying to jack the thread but just find out a fix as well.

[Bears63]

Grease the gears on those speedos! Yes, you have to remove the panel and pull the speedo out of the panel to do it properly, but if you don't put grease on those gears they will break or strip out eventually. It's a pain but it doesn't have to be done very often either.

[LILRED66]

90% of the time, the noise is coming from the cable, since it is not rotating freely. Pull the cable from the back of the speedo...can be done by contorting you body and hand, to reach the nut on the cable at the back of the speedo, usually finger-tight. With the cable loose and the end snaked out from under the dash, squit 3-n-1 oil or other penetrating oil into the cup and into the cable cavity. Slowly, with the help of gravity, the penetrating oil/lubricant will make its way down the cable and lubricate the inner square drive.

For a more thorough remedy, remove the cable entirely, soak in parts washer and repeat above sequence, until the cable is sufficiently cleaned. Follow-up with proper lubrication. By freeing up the inner square drive, the cable will operate freely and the noise & jumping needle will disappear.

In order to lubricate the speedo head, the dash cluster must be removed from the dash and the speedo unit removed from the cluster. At that point, apply a liberal amount of dielectric grease or lithium grease to the nylon gears. This will allow the speedo to operate smoothly, quietly and freely.

[NF65Fleetside]

this forum is awesome! truck guys rock!

[63sbssbbw]

LOL I guess it helps to be 5'9" a buck fifty, I can get under there pretty good
kind of like yoga for us truck guys
T

[Bears63]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

90% of the time, the noise is coming from the cable, since it is not rotating freely.

Yep, most of the time it is the cable, and that should always be checked first. But, if that's been done and the speedo is still making noise then it's time to yank the panel and lube the gears.