Speedometer Lubrication?

[bry593]

Anyone know how to lubricate the speedometer bushing? Older Chevy's have a cup plug on the side of the cast housing. Under the plug is a felt wick that holds the oil. My 1971 C20 doesn't seem to have this feature. Is it serviceable?

[toolboxchev]

Hmmm, have not delved into that one yet. I would bet Lock Doc or the T-Bone will be speaking out to ya soon!

[KevinK7]

This doesn't directly answer your question but I like this stuff for lubing cables...
I 'had' an old bottle of stuff called "Kable Ease". I used it on heater control cables, speedo cables, etc. I really like this stuff. The last time I used it, the plastic container cracked and leaked all out
Anyway, I just googled and apparently it's still available...

https://www.amazon.com/Ags-Kable-Eas.../dp/B000ZO0EA2

[burnin oil]

my 4spd ch465 and np205 have splash oiling. Speedo correction box is sealed. For the cable you pull the guts out and shoot some white lithium grease inside it then reinstall the wire.

[special-K]

I disconnect at speedo and squirt graphite cable lube in. You can give a shot of air to help it get lower better faster, then add a bit more. That works for me. A more thorough way to go would be remove, clean, lube, install. PITA, yes, but one and done on this, more than likely second lubing in 50 years

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by burnin oil

my 4spd ch465 and np205 have splash oiling. Speedo correction box is sealed. For the cable you pull the guts out and shoot some white lithium grease inside it then reinstall the wire.

Originally Posted by special-K

I disconnect at speedo and squirt graphite cable lube in. You can give a shot of air to help it get lower better faster, then add a bit more. That works for me. A more thorough way to go would be remove, clean, lube, install. PITA, yes, but one and done on this, more than likely second lubing in 50 years

Just a quick note for us northern latitude guys. DO NOT use white lithium grease on the cable. You will have troubles when it gets cold out (cold in MN is different than cold in Tennessee).

When I worked in the shop and had a customer complaining about a jittery or noisy speedo cable we would pull it from behind the speedometer, clean it, then lube it with a graphite based lube that won't freeze up in the winter.

[burnin oil]

That I a very good point

[bry593]

Originally Posted by mrein3

Just a quick note for us northern latitude guys. DO NOT use white lithium grease on the cable. You will have troubles when it gets cold out (cold in MN is different than cold in Tennessee)

Correct, use graphite or 10w oil.

Unfortunately, you guys took my thread about the speedometer bushing (at the speedometer head) and turned it into how to grease a drive cable.

So, anyone know how to service the speedo head?

[Davidf]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

This doesn't directly answer your question but I like this stuff for lubing cables...
I 'had' an old bottle of stuff called "Kable Ease". I used it on heater control cables, speedo cables, etc. I really like this stuff. The last time I used it, the plastic container cracked and leaked all out
Anyway, I just googled and apparently it's still available...

https://www.amazon.com/Ags-Kable-Eas.../dp/B000ZO0EA2

Just ordered the linked snake oil. My speedo cable is not bad, but will lube it anyway. But, I want to try it on my HVAC control cables as they are very stiff as they are on my Datsun 240z as well.

[burnin oil]

I didn't realize there is a bushing on the speedo head. I have never done anything to them other than screw the cable in or unclip it. Looking forward to learning something here.

[nsb29]

Vaseline Has worked for me for 60 years

[bry593]

Vaseline? I'm asking how to service the speedometer bushing. Wow, just wow....

[DeadheadNM]

This....

[Rick Bollinger]

I have wondered about this myself. I did use some white lithium sparingly on the gears for the odometer. Vasoline is a petroleum product and it does make sense. The bushing on mine was dry as well and I used sewing machine oil 0 weight but it wont last long. I will add some vasoline I need to pull it apart again to add a trans cooler gauge anyway.

[bry593]

https://imgur.com/UyAeoYs

Here is a link to a pic of a 1967 - 1972, C10 / C20 speedometer head (hope the link works, I'm old and still angry about photobucket). How did anyone manage to apply vaseline to the bushing?

[bigmac73]

Bry593 From one Okie to another where are you from?

[bry593]

Originally Posted by bigmac73

Bry593 From one Okie to another where are you from?

Currently in Broken Arrow, just east of Tulsa.